Chapter 2

By the time I saw the message, it was too late to recall it. Although appreciating beauty is human nature, for some reason, I felt a bit guilty.

At this moment, she suddenly sent a message: "Do you like this kind?"

Then she sent a video.

It should have been freshly recorded in the gym. It wasn't the perfect muscle lines, but very white, with a beautiful mermaid line winding down and disappearing into the sports shorts below. As for the upper part...

Well, very pink!

The owner of the video seemed very shy, and her face was all red when it was caught on camera at the end.

I got hard.

Me: "Is there more? Give me some more!"

Then she shyly sent over a few more videos.

I admit, I had been corrupted by beauty.

I never thought that the little boss, who usually looked so abstinent, would be so... well, in private.

How should I put it?

It felt strangely exciting.

Just as I was enjoying it, she suddenly sent a message.

"If you agree to be my boyfriend, I'll record videos like this for you every day, enough for you to see your fill."

Most people pursue four things in life: money, power, fame, and sex.

The first three had nothing to do with me, so the last one was quite tempting.

Me: "... Well... I suppose it's not impossible."

After all, it was just online dating.

Of course, there were conditions.

No going public, no changing profile pictures, no video calls, no meeting in person.

She wasn't very happy about it but still agreed.

This went on for two years.

As she became better at dressing up, I also ate better, and she could pull off various styles.

Just when I thought these days would continue, this girl proposed to meet in person.

Me: "Didn't we agree not to meet in person? Just online dating, not involving reality."

She sounded very upset: "I know, I'm sorry, but I really want to see you."

I knew what she was up to.

A few days ago, I had a college reunion. After I came back, a college classmate confessed to me. I rejected her once, and then she sent me a lot of creepy and disgusting messages.

I exposed her on Instagram and ranted about it.

Then I deleted and blocked her.

Since we were dating, she could see it too.

She wanted to meet in person and then publicly claim her territory.

I knew very well why we couldn't meet in person, so the answer was definitely no.

After she pestered me for a week, I got a bit annoyed and suggested breaking up.

This scared her, and she wilted like a frost-bitten eggplant, suddenly deflating.

My phone showed incoming calls for the nth time. I sighed and silently flipped the phone face down on the desk.

At this moment, my immediate superior, Luke Hughes, suddenly called me.

"Gus, take this proposal to VP Taylor."

It was well known throughout the company that Luke had a crush on Ottilie Taylor.

Usually, he would be eager to interact with her more. But recently, she had been in a bad mood. Last time he approached her, his well-intentioned but misguided attempt at comfort earned him a scolding, which was quite embarrassing. Since then, he stopped trying these unnecessary interactions.

I hissed and gave a wry smile: "Mr. Hughes, I'm a level below her after all. Wouldn't it be inappropriate to bypass the chain of command?"

Ottilie Taylor was my online girlfriend. Although I had her contact information for work, I had never interacted with her. Moreover, this proposal had been delayed for a long time, and Ottilie Taylor was never satisfied with it. Even if she was in a good mood, it would still be criticized, let alone now. With her current mood, this was clearly sending me to take the blame.

Luke rolled his eyes: "Just do what I tell you to do. Why so much fuss?"

... Fine.

Although I had practically seen everything online, I was still a bit nervous about interacting in reality.

Especially at work, where she was known for being strict and quite assertive.

— And quite sharp-tongued.

After hesitating for a moment, I took out my phone.

That day after I suggested breaking up, this girl had been apologizing constantly, clearly panicking, but I hadn't replied.

At the time, I was just being harsh when I suggested breaking up, and I hadn't really looked at my messages since. Partly to avoid softening my stance, and partly to dampen her enthusiasm.

Meeting in person was out of the question, but breaking up was feasible.

After thinking for a moment, I sent a message.

"We don't have to break up, but can you be good? I really don't like people who don't keep their word."

She replied instantly: "Baby, you finally replied to me. I know I was wrong, I'm sorry. I'll never do it again."

Then she sent a crying puppy emoji.

I took a deep breath and knocked on the door.

The person inside panicked for a moment, then cleared her throat: "Come in."

As soon as I entered, my gaze was drawn to Ottilie Taylor's slightly red nose.

Had she been crying?

Noticing my gaze, she seemed a bit embarrassed and tapped the desk: "Are you here to submit the proposal? Put it here, you can go back now."

Her temper had clearly improved.

Otherwise, she would have already reprimanded me for bypassing the chain of command.

Previously, a colleague was fired for reporting directly to higher-ups.

Although besides bypassing the chain of command, that colleague was also incompetent and disobedient, and was given severance pay in the end, it's undeniable that bypassing the chain of command itself is a major workplace taboo.

However, that proposal still didn't pass muster and was sent back. Then Luke handed it to me again.

I had no choice but to work overtime to revise it.

But coincidentally, Ottilie Taylor was in a good mood today and left work on time. It was Friday, so the other colleagues who had been working overtime for a long time also left early. Soon, only the receptionist and I were left in the company.

But I didn't know how long it would take to finish this proposal, so I assured the receptionist that I would turn off the lights and lock the doors, letting her leave first.

I don't know how much time had passed when I heard the sound of the facial recognition lock at the door. I was startled, feeling a bit scared.

Looking at the time, it was already 10 PM. At this hour, who could it be?

Various office horror movies flashed through my mind. While trying to reassure myself that ghosts don't exist, I instinctively held my breath, feeling a bit nervous and not daring to move from where I was.

A familiar figure approached. When I saw the face clearly, I couldn't help but let out a sigh of relief.

It was Ottilie Taylor.

"Why are you here alone? Aren't you going home?"

Ottilie Taylor seemed very surprised that I was still working overtime. I gritted my teeth inwardly: It's all because of you!

"This proposal is quite urgent. I'm afraid if I finish it tomorrow, it still might not be feasible, so I thought I'd work overtime today to refine it a bit."

"Oh, that proposal."

Ottilie Taylor paused for a moment, then surprisingly walked straight towards me. "Let me explain it to you in more detail. It'll be easier for you to revise."

I tensed up — because we had made up, I had been replying to messages. Finding it troublesome to keep opening my phone, I had switched to my personal account on the computer.

What should I do?

Ottilie Taylor walked over: "Open it and let me take a look."

My brain was spinning rapidly, while my hands moved slowly.

Just as I was about to switch, Ottilie Taylor said: "Move over, I'll..."

"Wait a minute!"