Chapter 4: Lines Crossed

Unspoken Ties

Mark had always been diligent and hardworking, never one to shy away from a challenge. Working as an assistant to Jay, the demanding yet brilliant CEO, had been an adventure—one that took an unexpected turn after Jay's accident. When Mark stayed by his side during recovery, something changed between them. Their once strictly professional relationship blurred with new emotions. Mark found himself drawn to Jay in ways he never imagined, and over time, those feelings grew stronger.

But even after their bond deepened, neither of them dared to confront their emotions. Jay, with his usual composure, never indicated anything beyond their close companionship, and Mark feared ruining what they had. So, they continued as before—until an unexpected reunion threw everything into turmoil.

At a company meeting, Mark was pleasantly surprised to see Alex, his longtime friend—the very person who had helped him land the job. He and Alex had been close for years, and seeing a familiar face in the workplace brought a sense of comfort.

"Alex! I had no idea you worked here!" Mark exclaimed, shaking his friend's hand.

Alex grinned. "You didn't know? I thought you might've heard from someone."

They caught up, reminiscing about old times, unaware of the pair of sharp eyes watching them closely.

Jay sat at the head of the conference table, his gaze fixed on Mark and Alex's easy exchange. Something about their familiarity unsettled him. It wasn't just a casual conversation—it was the way Mark laughed freely, the way Alex leaned in slightly when he spoke, the way Mark's eyes softened.

A knot tightened in Jay's chest. Since when was Mark so comfortable with him?

When the meeting ended, Jay wasted no time.

"What's going on between you and my cousin Alex?" he asked, his voice sharp.

Mark blinked, confused. "Alex is your cousin?"

Jay frowned. "Yes. Now tell me, why do you two seem so… close?"

Mark chuckled. "We're just friends, Jay. He helped me get this job."

Jay didn't look convinced. "Just friends?"

"Yes!" Mark sighed. "Why does it matter?"

But Jay couldn't shake his unease.

His jealousy only grew when Jane, a new team member, joined their latest project. From the moment she set foot in the office, Jane had her eyes on Mark. She had first seen him at Dave's wedding months ago, and ever since, she had been captivated. When she learned she would be working with him, she took it as a sign.

Jane made every effort to get close to Mark. She lingered near his desk, laughed at his jokes, and subtly brushed against him when passing by. Mark, ever oblivious, saw it as nothing more than professional camaraderie.

Jay, however, noticed everything.

With Mark spending more time with Jane, Jay felt increasingly restless. Their usual routines changed—Mark was no longer always by his side at work. When they got home, he would bury himself in his laptop, often forgetting to cook dinner like he used to. Jay hated it.

The more time Mark spent with Jane, the more irritable Jay became. His jealousy twisted inside him, manifesting in irrational behavior. He started assigning Mark unnecessary tasks that kept him by his side, making up excuses to call him over.

Mark noticed Jay's unusual behavior. "Why are you acting like this?" he asked one evening after another long day of Jay's sudden demands.

Jay avoided his gaze. "Like what?"

Mark sighed. "You're being weird. It's like you don't want me talking to anyone else."

Jay scoffed. "That's ridiculous."

But deep down, he knew it was true.

As their project neared completion, Jane's assignment came to an end. She had to return to her original workplace, but that didn't stop her from keeping in touch. She messaged Mark often, and sometimes, she even visited him at the office.

Jay's patience ran thin.

Whenever Jane appeared, Jay found a reason to intervene. He would call Mark away, drag him into last-minute meetings, or outright stand between them.

Mark was bewildered. "Why do you care so much about who I spend time with?"

Jay couldn't answer. He didn't understand it himself.

But one evening, he snapped.

"Why do you keep spending time with Jane?" Jay asked, his tone edged with irritation.

Mark sighed. "She's a teammate, Jay. That's all."

"She clearly likes you," Jay muttered. "She's doing all this to get close to you."

Mark rubbed his temples. "So what? Why do you care? It's none of your business whether she likes me or not."

Jay stiffened.

Mark continued, his voice rising. "You're just my boss, nothing else! Stop meddling in my life!"

The words stung more than Jay expected.

For days, he avoided Mark, his pride wounded. But his jealousy still festered.

One evening, as he was leaving work, he spotted Jane waiting for Mark outside the building. Something in him snapped.

He stormed up to her. "Mark is my boyfriend, and we live together. Leave him alone."

Jane's eyes widened. "What?"

Jay didn't wait for a reaction. He turned on his heel and walked away.

Jane, skeptical, decided to see for herself. When she followed Mark home and found him unlocking the door to the same apartment Jay had entered, she was stunned.

The next day, she confronted Mark. "Jay told me you two are together."

Mark was startled. "He said that?"

Jane exhaled. "Mark… since the first time I saw you at Dave's wedding, I fell for you. That's why I took this project—to get close to you."

Mark opened his mouth, but no words came out.

Jane continued, looking into his eyes. "I like you, Mark."

Before Mark could respond, Jay appeared.

Jane scowled. "Can you give us a moment alone?"

"No," Jay said flatly.

Jane sighed. "Mark, I just wanted to tell you how I feel."

Jay clenched his fists. He wasn't going to let Mark listen to another confession.

Mark turned to him, his expression unreadable. "Did you tell her I was seeing someone?"

Jay met his gaze. "Yes."

Mark's confusion deepened. "Why? You don't know anything about my personal life. Why do you keep meddling?"

Jay took a step closer, looking into Mark's eyes.

"I don't like anyone else looking at you," Jay murmured.

Mark froze.

Jay continued, his voice low. "I don't like you smiling at anyone else. I don't like you going around acting cute."

And then, without warning, Jay kissed him.

Mark's breath caught as Jay pulled away, their faces inches apart.

"I don't want to see you with another person," Jay whispered. "Because I'm jealous."

Mark stared at him, heart racing.

Jay swallowed hard. "I don't want to lose you. Stay, please."

The vulnerability in Jay's voice made Mark's chest tighten.

Jay hesitated, then hugged him tightly. "Mark, stay with me. I want to be with you." He paused, then finally admitted, "I like you."

Mark's heart pounded. He had waited so long to hear those words.

Taking a deep breath, he whispered, "I like you too."

Jay pulled back slightly, eyes searching Mark's.

Mark exhaled. "I was just scared you wouldn't feel the same."

Jay smiled softly. "Idiot."

They leaned in again, sealing their mutual feelings with another kiss.

For the first time, their hearts were in sync—free from doubt, free from fear.

And that was all they needed.