Chapter 50 — The Cali Alpha

The loud noises of rainfall tapping on the tinted windows surprised her, but not as much as the uncanny way the man was able to predict exactly what would happen just moments before rain suddenly disrupted the nice weather.

Good thing there was a tent installed for the service and for the guests. Sitting on the other end of the backseat, Magnus regarded her with his attentive gaze. His crow's feet would show every time he would smile or squint, instantly reminding her of their age gap. "Jenson mentioned over the phone that you got sick and he had to bring you to the hospital."

"Yes. But, that was more than two months ago," she muttered before looking away. She hadn't removed her mask. Not really to protect herself but to protect other people in case she was still carrying remnants of the virus. It wasn't an impossible scenario, said Kel once or twice.

"Workplace hazards." Magnus clicked his tongue. "Sorry you had to go through all that. But good to see you all better now." He lightly touched her arm as he sat about three feet away from her. "I should thank you, by the way, for keeping him in check the past couple of months. For helping us keep the show running, especially."

"It's my job, Sir, and I like working for Jenson and the show," she admitted with another smile.

They chatted about other work issues and Road to Valhalla for what felt like ten more minutes, until the man maneuvered their talk into something more personal. Something she didn't quite prepare for.

What felt like a normal, casual conversation between acquaintances turned into something too personal for her comfort. To the point of intrusive.

He even asked her if she had a boyfriend. Her heartbeat picked up a painfully fast pace when his heedful eyes didn't stop watching her every reaction. Almost as if he was trying to get more honest answers from her.

Did he think she was being too timid and reserved? Jessi glanced at the front seat.

The chauffeur sat still behind the wheel, but a thick and transparent glass divided the perfume-smelling limousine, providing a sense of privacy.

"I gather you're smart enough to know it's not just a project to me." Magnus took out his phone. "It's business, Jessiah, first and foremost." He wasn't faking smiles anymore, his tone monotonous, his deep voice subdued by his utter seriousness. "And frankly, I've invested a lot in them, in their careers so to speak. I'm really just looking out for those two."

Now he was specifically talking about Jenson and Darren. But what did he really want to say? That he'd heard about her getting too close to his nephew?

Oh crap. Maybe Charm mentioned some things to Magnus and his wife. Jessi dropped her gaze, unsure of what to say. The build-up of anxiety was already making her neck and face warmer.

"They're family." Magnus shrugged weakly and grinned. "Almost like the sons I never had."

"I see."

"And when it comes to looking out for them, that means a lot of things, Jessiah. You know what I mean?"

She glanced at him and near winced at the inquisitive look in his deep-set pale green eyes. "Not really, Sir," she murmured after an awkward silence filled the cold backseat.

The rain hadn't stopped yet, and the funeral guests still hadn't left the tent. Where was Darren?

"You know...if he was single and if things were much simpler, I wouldn't bother to intrude or even bring it up. Problem is, he isn't." Magnus tsk-ed. "Don't need to remind you he's already engaged and planning to marry Charmaine, do I?"

Jessi glanced down at her folded hands on her lap, his muted words and backhanded accusation already making her breathing unsteady.

So, he definitely thought she and Jenson were sleeping together, as Charmaine had suspected all these months. It wasn't true, though.

Jessi took a deep breath to gather composure, her heart still thumping loudly in her rib cage. She'd never engaged in a sexual relationship with Jenson. For his and her own sake. They'd kissed a few times, sure...but none of it led to something else. "No, Sir."

"Good," Magnus said with a slanted grin.

"We're just friends. Jenson and I, we never..."

"I don't think so. But if that's what you want to think, fine by me." The guy smirked and kept staring at her face.

"He doesn't see me in that light, and I-I know he still loves her."

"You see, Jessiah, no relationship is perfect. Cliché, I know, but it's the truth." Magnus chuckled. "Take me and Evie, for example. We've been together for roughly two decades now, separated twice, almost got divorced, argued about everything you could possibly think of, et cetera et cetera. But in the end, we still try to make it work. Because we need to. Because we made a promise to each other. You get what I'm saying?"

Jessi glanced away and only gave a few nods in reply. Well, what else should she say? It was obvious he was a man with strong opinions, maybe too conservative for most, and someone who's always so sure of himself and his views. Intimidatingly so.

"If you were just some girl he met at a bar, this conversation would've been way too different. But I know how important you are to him and how much work you've put in to help him do his job right. So I'm giving you the benefit of the doubt."

What did he mean? Did he actually believe her? "He didn't cheat on Charmaine with me, if that's what you're implying." She pulled a face. She didn't need to hear that he was worried she would harm Jenson's career. That people might hear rumors of him sleeping with his younger assistant instead of planning his wedding with his longtime fiancée. Like everyone expected.

"Alright. I'm taking your word for it." Magnus faked another smile before glancing out the window again.

The rain had calmed down, unlike her restless thoughts. Her chest even felt like it was aching from the nervousness their tense conversation was causing. Or perhaps she should try harder to keep calm.

The man was the definition of intimidating, but he didn't seem the type to do more than drop sharp-tongued comments and threats. Or maybe he just never had to.

"Can I ask you something personal again, Jessiah?"

"Sure, Sir."

"Just Magnus." He reached for her forearm to touch the back of her hand. Just a few light pats, though. "Like I said."

She almost pulled her hand away, but she opted to keep still to show him she wasn't scared of him or anything. "Okay."

Then he looked out the window again. "Jenson and Charmaine..." Magnus went on with a sigh. "They're somewhat fated to be together, you see. They're having some issues at the moment, but everyone still expects them to end up in church."

"I know." And I don't need a reminder from you or anyone else, she almost added. To stop herself from blurting out things she shouldn't, Jessi kept her lips pressed together as she unclenched her fist on her lap.

"Do you see yourself getting married anytime soon, Jessiah?"

"No. Not really." Why was he asking her about marriage now? The heck was he getting at?

"Not even five years from now?"

"Never been a priority for me," she muttered. "I need to focus on my career. Getting married isn't on my to-do list."

"Smart." He smiled and faintly nodded at her response. "You're wiser than your years."

"Thanks." She looked away and frowned. Should she even thank him for a half-meant comment?

He just seemed like the type to have no problem with getting into people's heads. It probably came real easy to him. After all, he was a successful multimillionaire businessman in and out of the country. He managed businesses and people for a living. "However, if by some circumstances you end up changing your mind, would you want something permanent with someone like Jenson?"