chapter 11

Dezze's already complex situation takes a turn for the worse. Due to her evident anxiety and worry, Mr. John decides to remove her from the case. However, this decision is not a reflection on her competence, but rather a consequence of her personal connection to Jesse. Despite being taken off the case, Dezze continues to receive updates and information from Mark, Ricky, and Seam, who discreetly keep her informed about the latest developments.

On the other hand, Jesse often becomes so engrossed in her work that she forgets to go home, and instead, has dinner at the office. For the past three years, Jesse has grown accustomed to a solitary existence, a lifestyle she's been familiar with since childhood. While she occasionally feels the weight of loneliness, her life has been defined by routine and discipline. Having spent most of her childhood lost in books, Jesse's adult life has been an extension of that same focus, consumed by office work, meetings, business trips, and the demands of her career. It's a path she's likely to continue on, a predictable trajectory that has become the norm for her.

Despite everything, Jesse remains impervious to the opinions of others, and her sole focus remains her work. Her dedication to her career is unwavering, and she prioritizes it above all else. In fact, if forced to choose between her own life and her work, Jesse would unhesitatingly choose her work, such is her unrelenting commitment to her profession.

However, Jesse's solitude is about to be interrupted, as Dezze stands outside her office, holding two sandwiches and a cold coffee. Dezze pauses for a moment, lost in thought, wondering how Jesse will react to her unexpected visit. Will Jesse be annoyed, or will she welcome Dezze with a smile? Without dwelling on these uncertainties, Dezze takes a deep breath and steps inside the office.

Jesse's fingers pause on the keyboard as she lifts her head and gazes out through the glass door of her office.

Dezze's infectious enthusiasm is on full display as she bounces up and down like a child, waving her hands and chirping a cheerful "hi". Jesse can't help but smile as she watches Dezze's carefree antics, which are precisely the kind of genuine, playful gestures that Jesse has grown to adore about Dezze.

Dezze sets the sandwiches and cold coffees on the table in front of Jesse, then composes herself and asks, with a hint of concern, "Have you eaten dinner yet?"

"No" With her sparkling smile, Jesse says to Dezze.

"Are you overworking?" Dezze asks, sounding concerned and sits front of her.

Jesse rests her chin on her palm, propping her elbow on the table. "Why are you asking?" she inquires, her eyes locking onto Dezze's with a resolute intensity.

"I know some great restaurants near your office that I've tried before. Would you like to grab dinner there, if you're open to it?" With a concerned yet stern expression, regarding Jesse's health.

"What if I refused?" maintained her same position.

"But... you haven't eaten dinner yet, have you?... Then..."

(pause)

"But I'd rather watch you. I find watching you more enjoyable than eating. Am I losing my mind or has something strange come over me?" Jesse's gaze remains unwavering, her eyes locked intensely onto Dezze's as she responds. Her eyes burn with a desperate longing, a restless yearning, and only, just only glimmer of love.

Dezze's senses drift away, her gaze fixed solely on Jesse. Jesse's behavior leaves her astonished, yet deep down, she seems to revel in this obsessive attention.

Jesse bites her lower lip and says to Dezze in a seduction way "Right now, there's no one else in the office but you and me."

Jesse's fingers tantalizingly undo the buttons of her shirt, one by one, as she inches closer to Dezze. Her eyes locked on Dezze's, she settles onto her lap, her presence a whispered promise of forbidden pleasure.

Dezze, who had been waiting for this moment for so long, couldn't restrain herself anymore. Underestimating Jesse would be a huge mistake, so she quickly grabbed Jesse's waist and just as she was about to kiss her, a loud noise echoed through the office, sounding like something had fallen or shattered.

Instantly, both women snap back to reality. Jesse quickly gets off Dezze's lap and puts her shirt back on. Dezze also swiftly composes herself and heads in the direction from which the sound of something falling came.

Following the sound, they both walk towards the meeting hall, where all meetings are typically held. Dezze and Jesse quickly enter the hall, turn on the lights, and start looking around. As they scan the room, their eyes land on a stone that has fallen from the window and lies on the floor.

Dezze quickly picks up the stone and looks at Jesse, who is already confused and now becoming even more perplexed and fearful. However, she manages to compose herself, examines the stone carefully, and looks at Dezze, saying, "There's no one in the office right now except me and the security guard. So, who could have thrown this stone through the window?"