The Girl in the Hoodie is Mine

Amber’s POV:

What is happening today? First, Jason walks in with that stupid bitch who doesn’t know her place, strutting around like she owns the room. I thought tonight was going to be mine, with Jason by my side, soaking in all the attention. But no, here she is, ruining everything.

And when I tried to get even by tripping the dumb waiter to splash her with champagne and wine? Ugh, she dodges it like she’s some kind of ninja! Instead, the whole mess splashes all over Jason. Great. Just great. I hope he doesn’t figure out I was involved in that little stunt, because Jason isn’t one to forgive easily, and I can’t afford to lose him over some petty rivalry.

But now, to add insult to injury, the mysterious CEO of LBJ Company is revealed to be Jason. What the hell is happening? I thought this was supposed to be a night of glitz and glamour, not a rollercoaster of surprises.

If Jason is the CEO, then he has the power to give me the project I need to secure my position and show everyone that I can compete at the top. This is my chance to charm him, to remind him of our past and how we’re meant to work together—he just doesn’t know it yet.

I need a plan. I can’t let this stupid girl stand in my way. It’s time to put on my best smile, gather my confidence, and make sure Jason remembers who I am. He’s the key to everything I want, and I can’t let some nobody take that away from me.

Time to turn on the charm. I’ll play the perfect damsel in distress and see how far I can get him to bend. After all, if he’s going to give me a shot, I need to make him believe he can’t do without me. Game on.

Oh, where is that reporter I paid to be ready for a photo of me and Jason kissing? I need him to capture this moment perfectly. What’s a girl gotta do? Come prepared, of course! Now that Jason has revealed himself as the CEO of LBJ Company, this is going to be even more spectacular. The headlines will be nothing short of sensational!

I can already imagine the headlines: "Jason King Caught in a Steamy Embrace with the Prescott’s Daughter" or "CEO of LBJ Company Sparks Romance at Gala." It’s going to be the talk of the town! All I need to do now is set the stage just right.

I scan the room, searching for the perfect opportunity. The crowd is buzzing with excitement, and I can feel the energy shifting as people realize who Jason really is. This is my moment to shine, and I won’t let it slip through my fingers.

As I glide through the crowd, I make sure to keep my eyes on Jason. He’s surrounded by admirers, but I’m not worried. I know how to cut through the noise. I’ll play my cards right and make my move when the moment is just right.

I just need to catch his eye, remind him of our chemistry, and then pull him in for that kiss. The kind of kiss that leaves everyone breathless, and the cameras flashing. He won’t be able to resist once I start charming him.

Time to put my plan into action. I make my way toward him, my confidence radiating like a spotlight. With every step, I can feel the anticipation building. This night is going to be legendary, and I’m going to make sure I’m at the center of it all.

Let’s do this!

As I head toward him, Jason puts on that polite smile. Ugh, nope! That’s not what I want. I want that flirty smirk he always gives me right before we tangle in the sheets. Speaking of which, it’s been a while since he called me over. Not now, Amber—I chide myself. Positive thoughts only!

I put on the most seductive smile I can muster. "Hey, Jason! What a pleasant surprise! You never hinted that you were the CEO. I thought you were just participating in the competition, and here you are, the man himself," I say, lacing my voice with flirtation. But the stupid jerk doesn’t get it.

Okay, plan B. If he won’t kiss me, then we gotta go the conniving way. I glance at the reporter, nodding at him to do what he needs to do—push Jason a little so he’ll stumble toward me, stealing a kiss in front of everyone. People will think he stole a kiss from me. Yeah, yeah, I know I’m a genius!

Just as the reporter prepares to execute my brilliant plan, Jason turns toward someone behind him—someone I don’t even get to see—because the reporter pushes him the wrong way! No!

Time seems to slow as I watch him lurch forward, his face a mix of surprise and confusion. I rush to intervene, but it’s too late. The kiss I envisioned vanishes like smoke in the air. Instead of landing on my lips, he stumbles slightly, and I can’t help but think this could ruin everything.

No! His lips land on someone else’s! What the actual fuck! This can’t be happening! His lips land on the stupid, mysterious girl he came with, and the cameras go clicking away, capturing the moment that was supposed to be mine!

My heart sinks as I watch the flashes. Jason is kissing her! No, no, no! This was my moment, my chance to make headlines. Instead, it’s going to be "Jason King Caught Kissing Mysterious Beauty" all over the tabloids.

I can feel my blood boiling as the crowd buzzes with excitement, whispering and snapping pictures. I need to think fast. If I don’t act now, I’ll lose any chance I had of reclaiming the spotlight.

"Jason!" I call out, trying to sound cheerful despite the storm brewing inside me. "Don’t you think you should be careful who you kiss in public? You never know who might turn out to be a rogue fan!"

I force a laugh, trying to play it off, but inside, I’m raging. How dare she? How dare he? This isn’t over. I’ll make sure of it. Time to up my game and show Jason who he really belongs to.

Jason’s POV:

After my speech, as soon as I step down from the stage, people surround me. I know they all want to get in my good graces now that they know I’m the CEO, but honestly? I’m not interested in talking to them. My focus is solely on Ella. I’m dying to know what she thought of my speech.

Just when I think I’ve managed to escape the crowd of wannabes, Amber corners me. Damn it. I know that look all too well. She’s trying to charm her way back into my life, but I’m not having any of it—at least, not since I got caught up in the web Ella wove, knowingly or unknowingly. Amber talks to me, but to be honest, I can barely understand what she’s saying. My mind is racing, searching for Ella. Just then Max calls me from behind me turning around I spot Ella who seems to be standing between Max and Dylan.

Just as I’m about to call out to her, someone shoves me from behind. Before I can react, I stumble forward, my lips crashing onto Ella’s.

Wow! Okay, I think the universe is rewarding me for finally learning some basic human decency after the whole waiter incident. Her lips are soft and warm, and for a moment, time stands still. I can feel the world around us fade away.

I pull back, surprised and slightly embarrassed, but there’s a spark in her eyes that makes me think she’s definitely mad. "Uh, sorry about that!" I stammer, feeling my cheeks heat up. "I guess I got a little too eager there."

Ella raises an eyebrow, and I can’t help but chuckle nervously. "What can I say? You’re just that irresistible." It’s a cheesy line, but the moment feels right, and I’m desperate to make her smile.

Then, glancing around, I realize Amber is practically glaring daggers at us. "I guess the crowd’s getting a little too rowdy, huh?" I say, trying to shift the focus back to Ella. "How about we get out of here?"

I’m ready to make my move, hoping to escape the chaos and find a quiet moment where I can really talk to her—away from all the distractions. I mean, it’s not every day that I accidentally kiss a girl I’m genuinely interested in, right?

Okay I know I’ve been stealing kisses from Ella all this time, but this one? This was pure accident. I mean, if I’m being honest, I should probably give a thumbs-up to the guy who gave me that shove.

To my utter delight, I notice a few people in the crowd snapping photos of us—caught in the moment, just like that. Tomorrow, every magazine will be clamoring for that perfect shot. Crazy, right? But what makes it even better is that it’s me in those photos, sharing a kiss with Ella. I can’t wait for tomorrow magazines to look for the best shot and curve it out perfectly, romantic much? Sue me. Only for her.