Chapter 2

Hearing my name, I shot up, my face flushed with panic as I stared at Julian.

Brenda pulled me back down, giving me a disgusted glance. “What are you so excited about? Traveling with the bosses isn’t always a good thing. Perform well, or you won’t even pass your internship.”

I lowered my head, mortified.

The branch office was in another city. Eleven colleagues were going, and when I arrived, they were already settled in the cars. Both vehicles were packed, and I was assigned to ride with the two bosses.

How could something so awkward happen to me?

The bosses’ car was an extended luxury van. When I got in, Julian and Marcus were seated on opposite sides.

My toes were practically trying to dig through my shoes from the sheer awkwardness. Neither side felt comfortable.

Couldn’t they just sit together and leave one side for me?

Fine, I bit the bullet and sat in the closest seat, which was next to Marcus.

The instant I sat down, I distinctly saw a smirk curl on Marcus’s lips. He even shot Julian a cocky, triumphant glance.

Was I seeing things?

I looked at Julian. He sat perfectly upright, one leg casually crossed, holding a glass of red wine.

“It’s a long drive. Have some snacks, take a nap, and we’ll be there.” Marcus looked at me kindly, gesturing to the food on the small table beside him.

I hadn’t had any dreams last night and slept incredibly soundly, which was why I almost overslept today. I hadn’t eaten breakfast either, so seeing the cream cake on the table, I couldn’t resist taking a small piece.

Soon after eating, I felt drowsy. The extended van’s seats were incredibly soft, and I leaned back, falling asleep in no time.

In a haze, I heard Marcus’s teasing voice.

“Rose likes sweets, huh?”

“But there’s so much cream left, don’t waste it…”

In my dream, I dreamt that Julian and Marcus were feeding me cream, spoonful by spoonful, until my mouth was full…

I don't know how long I slept, but the driver woke me up.

Julian and Marcus were gone, and the red wine and cream cake were nowhere to be found in the car. A sweet, cloying scent still lingered in the air.

I looked out the window. The car had already arrived at the branch office building.

Oh no.

I must have overslept.

As I started to get out, a damp, sticky feeling made my whole body shiver involuntarily.

Damn it, I actually dreamt of eating cream with the two bosses.

I wondered if I moved around in my sleep, or if I made any weird faces or sounds…

These dreams were getting too frequent. Did I really need to find a boyfriend?

My face burning, I pulled my luggage out of the car. I’d be staying in the company dorms for the week. There were fewer people at this branch, so everyone got their own private room, and the environment was pretty good.

After putting down my luggage, I got a message from Brenda saying that Julian and Marcus’s personal assistants couldn’t make it, and I was to temporarily assist both of them.

When I saw that message, a shiver ran down my spine.

Thinking about my fantasies about them in the car, I immediately felt guilty.

Soon, Julian called me, asking me to go with him to a business dinner that night.

The destination was a Japanese restaurant. Our partner was a fifty-year-old man, and as soon as he walked in, his eyes ceaselessly scanned me.

“Mr. Julian’s company truly has a lot of talent. I’d love to poach a few people from your firm if I get the chance.”

“No can do. Let’s focus on our partnership, shall we?” Julian said as a server came in to pour tea.

I caught a whiff of fragrant matcha and instinctively swallowed.

“The wine here is excellent. Shall we eat and talk?” The middle-aged man said, raising his glass.

Julian raised his too, glancing at me from the corner of his eye.

Feeling a bit flustered, I quickly picked up my own glass.

One glass of wine down, a burning sensation. I quickly took a gulp of tea to wash it down.

*Ring! Ring!*

My alarm clock jolted me awake. I rubbed my eyes, finding myself lying on the dorm bed.

“Huh?”

I pressed my head, but I couldn’t remember how I got back last night.

But I seemed to have had *that kind* of dream again.

This time, it was even crazier.

I dreamt I was lying naked on a long table, my body arranged like a platter, adorned with food.

“Caviar tastes best with a little body heat.” Julian’s deep, magnetic voice echoed in my ear.

Then I felt something wet glide across my chest.