Chapter 183 Be a good boy
~Hermes~
This has to be some kind of joke.
Just moments ago, I’d received the most mind-blowing blow job of my life—from my secretary, my ex secret affair. The one who’d left me for my friend. And now? She wants to keep all of this a secret.
And… God. I want to obey her. Not just because there’s a very tangible reward waiting for me later, but because I want to obey her. Every nerve in me screams it.
But now—hearing Ted talk about taking her on a date—it doesn’t sit right. The way he’s holding her hand, the closeness between them… I can feel it clawing at my chest.
I want to slip the secret out. I want to ruin this little charade. I want to end whatever this is between us, right here, right now.
But then her eyes meet mine. Those hazel-brown eyes—piercing, steady, commanding. I freeze. I can’t. I won’t.
I let out a long, frustrated sigh. “Yeah… I asked her for help,” I mutter, my voice rough. My gaze drifts to the bed as I throw the towel down, the motion sharp with irritation. “She’s still my secretary, isn’t she?”
Even in my annoyance, in my frustration, there’s a thrill I can’t deny. And I know—this game isn’t over yet.
Ted nods, a warm smile tugging at his lips. “Yes, she is. But now she needs a day off.” He gives June a gentle nudge. “Let’s go, babe.”
June nods nervously, following him.
I grip the edge of the bed so hard my knuckles whiten, veins popping along my forearms. Every step they take toward the door feels like a punch to my chest. And then—before they cross the threshold—I blurt out, “Stop.”
Ted spins around, eyebrows raised. “What’s it, Hermes? Any requests? You should rest. You have another session with the professor tomorrow."
I ignore him, focusing solely on June. She’s avoiding my gaze, her cheeks faintly flushed, and I can feel my patience fraying.
“Where are you guys going?” I ask, standing upright, fists still clenching the sheets.
Ted shrugs, casual as ever. “A little restaurant near the hospital. Nothing big. I just want June to have a bit of fresh air. She’s been working hard.” His smile lingers on her, soft and easy.
June just nods, forcing a smile through the tension.
I take a slow step forward. “I want to come with you. I also need a bit of fresh air.”
June freezes. Her eyes widen. “What?”
“I’m not going to bother you,” I say, forcing a casual tone, though my jaw tightens. “Just following your own advice, June. Go to familiar places. I know that restaurant—been there plenty of times. Right, Ted? With your former girlfriend.” I let a sly wink accompany the words, turning the tables just slightly.
Ted’s lips hover in a half-smile. “Ah, yeah. You remembered that.” He glances at June.
Her expression is perfectly neutral.
My fists tighten. No reaction. She isn’t bothered at all. Fuck.
Silence fills the room, broken only by the steady hum of the air conditioner.
“Uh… we should all go,” June says, breaking the quiet, her voice a little too cheerful. “It’ll be great.” She claps lightly, as if forcing herself into normalcy.
I force a smile, but it feels hollow. I can’t even imagine her nerves—sitting between Ted and me, pretending like nothing happened, like our little secret doesn’t exist.
Ted gives her a look of reassurance, then nods. “Alright. Let’s go. But first, we need to change your clothes to something casual.” He gestures toward the wardrobe.
A slow, mischievous smile creeps onto my face. An idea is forming, one that will remind June exactly who’s been keeping score all along. If she wants to play this game, fine—I know how to play too.
I glance at her, letting the silence hang just a moment longer, letting her imagination do some of my work for me. The triangle hasn’t even started, and already the rules are bending.
Waiting by Ted’s car, I tried to act casual, but my blood was hammering in my ears. Ted suddenly cornered me, eyes sharp.
“What the hell are you doing, Hermes?” he asked.
I straightened my collar, keeping my voice neutral. “What do you mean? I just… wanted some fresh air.”
“Fresh air?” Ted scoffed, crossing his arms. “She isn’t yours anymore. She wasn’t yours. You just… used her. Slept with her.”
The words hit me like a punch. And then—flash—memories. Her voice, angry and soft, rang in my head: I hate you. And then, I love you, Hermes. I shut my eyes and leaned against the car, trying to steady myself.
“Are you okay, Hermes?” Ted asked. His voice sounded distant now, drowned out by the echo of her words.
I winced at the sound, her voice—Are you okay, Hermes?—looping in my head. I snapped my eyes open.
“You should go inside. You aren’t—” Ted began, but I cut him off, my jaw tight, fists clenched.
“No. I’m coming with you. And you—don’t tell me who June was to me. I don’t recall telling you about her,” I fired, voice low and dangerous. “I don’t believe you guys are in love. Especially her.”
Ted scoffed. “And how would you—”
“I’m ready,” June’s voice cut through, soft yet clear.
I turned, and my heart froze.
She was walking toward us, and in that moment, the world narrowed to just her. Pink floral off-shoulder dress, a slit teasing just enough, black coat draped over her arm.
In my eyes, a halo crowned her head. She was angelic, irresistible, and impossibly mine.
“Wow, you look dazzling, June,” Ted said, and my daze snapped.
I blinked, swallowing hard. “Y-you’re… breathtaking…” I muttered under my breath, almost forgetting the world existed beyond her.
“Do I?” June asked, eyes on Ted, a teasing smile playing on her lips. “Thank you.”
She turned to me, and suddenly I felt… shy. My gaze darted away.
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Ted reach for the car door for her, and instinctively I moved.
Both of us gripping the handle, tension thick between us.
“Let me do it,” I bit out, jaw tight, struggling for control.
“I’m the one taking her on the date,” Ted shot back, equally determined.
Minutes passed in a silent tug-of-war, until the back door opened and June appeared.
“I’ll stay in the back,” she said, leaning forward, giving no one the satisfaction of looking flustered.
Ted and I both let go of the handle. My shoulders slumped in defeat—until a spark of thought hit me. Why couldn’t I sit in the back too?
“Well… I’ll stay in the back too. Don’t feel well enough to sit up front,” I muttered, turning toward the car.
Ted, however, blocked my path. “Where do you think you’re going? You’re staying with me.”
I froze. Damn it.