Chapter 1

Being a good saleswoman means knowing how to make money and save it.

So when my landlord said someone wanted to split the rent with me, I jumped at the chance.

My new roommate kept regular hours.

He was neat and even knew how to cook.

His only downside was that he barely talked.

But to me, that was a plus. Quiet and emotionally stable.

Perfect.

Then came the year-end company meeting.

As the top salesperson, I was invited to sit with the executives.

The man at the head of the table looked up.

His expression was cold and distant.

My manager introduced him as the heir to Prescott Group.

Except... I could've sworn he was my quiet roommate.

I'm speechless.

Here's the thing. I got drunk last night and accidentally ripped his pants and boxers.

Think I still have time to sew them back?

第1章

The heat in the conference room was cranked all the way up.

But it still couldn't stop the chill racing from my feet to the top of my head.

The man at the head of the table was my roommate of three months, Nathan Prescott.

Today, he was dressed in a perfectly fitted designer suit.

Gold-rimmed glasses rested on his nose. He looked calm and composed, with an air of authority that made him hard to approach.

He was nothing like the man I'd seen last night. Last night, he'd been in SpongeBob pajamas, pinned helpless beneath me.

I'd had too much to drink.

The walls in our apartment were thin, and he'd been watching financial news late at night with the volume turned way up.

Drunk and irritated, I'd marched out of my room to confront him.

Somehow, things had gotten physical.

I shoved him onto the couch and, just to shut him up, grabbed his... pants and ripped them.

His boxers didn't survive either.

And now, there he was at the head of the table, staring at me with those dark, unreadable eyes. He looked as calm as ever.

I'm so dead.

My job. My career. My top-seller bonus. I'm going to lose everything.

"Claire."

My supervisor, Derek Lawson, nudged my arm.

"You're up. It's time for your annual report."

I got to my feet, my whole body stiff. Dozens of eyes turned toward me.

Nathan's included.

I took a deep breath and opened my slides.

"Good afternoon, everyone. I'm Claire Bennett from Sales..."

I was the top salesperson, and I wasn't about to lose my nerve now. I pushed everything else out of my mind and went through my report, point by point.

Halfway through, Sandra Cole raised her hand.

She was sitting across from me, and she'd been after my spot for months.

"Boss, I have a question."

Sandra's voice had never sounded more annoying.

"Claire's report shows a growth rate of 300 percent. I have some doubts about those numbers."

She was basically accusing me of faking my results in front of everyone.

Several people immediately looked interested, clearly waiting for some drama.

I tightened my grip on the clicker. For a moment, Nathan and his boxers completely slipped my mind.

Who cares about a man when my bonus is at stake?

"Sandra, every number in my report can be checked in the company system. Are you questioning the system, or are you questioning me?"

"That's not what I meant." Sandra pouted, playing the victim.

"I just find it hard to believe. She's only been here a year, and she's already pulling numbers like these. Maybe she had a little... help?"

I knew exactly what she was implying. She thought I'd slept my way to the top.

Whispers spread through the room.

My face burned with anger. I opened my mouth to fire back, but Nathan spoke first.

"I've reviewed the data. Everything checks out."

The room went silent.

Sandra's expression changed.

Nathan tapped his fingers lightly against the table.

"In sales, results are what matter. As for anything else... I don't care."

He didn't even look at Sandra. He just tipped his chin at me.

"Continue."

I froze.

Did he just defend me? Why?

Is he trying to make me lower my guard before getting even with me?

My head was a mess, but I somehow finished the rest of my presentation.

When the meeting ended, everyone began filing out.

I deliberately took my time packing up. I wanted everyone else to leave first. Unfortunately, Nathan was sitting right beside the only way out.

Even worse, he didn't seem to be leaving anytime soon. My scalp prickled. There was no avoiding him. I picked up my things, bit the bullet, and headed for the door.

As I passed him, I was careful not to make a sound.

"Claire."

I froze and stopped in my tracks, trying my best not to sound nervous.

"Yes, boss?"

"Pick up some groceries on your way home tonight. The fridge is empty."

I whipped around, only to meet his perfectly calm gaze.

A few colleagues hadn't left yet, and they'd heard every word. They all turned to us, their eyes wide with shock and curiosity.

Great. There goes my reputation.

第2章

The second work was over, I practically ran out of the office.

I didn't slow down until I reached the subway, but my heart was still pounding.

That jerk definitely did that on purpose!

At the grocery store, I pushed my cart down the aisles and tossed vegetables into it without paying much attention.

My phone buzzed. Nathan had texted me.

"Get extra steak."

I glared at those words.

The nerve of him.

Still, I grabbed three slabs of steak, along with his favorite potatoes and tomatoes.

By the time I got home, it was dark. I opened the door and saw that the living room lights were already on.

Nathan was home. His expensive suit was gone. He was back in SpongeBob pajamas, just like the ones he'd worn last night.

He sat on the couch with his laptop on his lap, still working.

He looked up when he heard me come in.

"Hey."

"Hi."

I carried the groceries into the kitchen, my stomach twisting with nerves.

What is he going to do to me?

Kick me out? Make me pay for those ridiculously expensive boxers?

I was so distracted that I splashed water all over the counter while washing the vegetables.

"I'll do it."

I jumped. Nathan had crept up behind me.

He took the vegetables from my hands and rolled up his sleeves, showing his muscular forearms.

"Go get some rest."

I stood awkwardly in the kitchen doorway, watching him wash, chop, blanch, and cook everything with practiced ease.

I'd watched him cook plenty of times since we became roommates. But today, I couldn't relax at all.

Half an hour later, dinner was ready.

Pan-seared steak, mashed potatoes, roasted cherry tomatoes, and a simple salad.

Everything smelled amazing.

I swallowed hard.

"Eat."

Nathan put some food on my plate.

I picked up my knife and fork and cut into the steak.

It was tender, juicy, and perfectly cooked.

I kept my head down and ate, trying to bury my guilt and embarrassment in the food.

We ate the rest of dinner in an awkward silence.

I jumped up to do the dishes before he could, but he stopped me.

"Leave them. I'll handle it."

He loaded the dishes into the dishwasher. Then he went to the coffee table and picked up a neatly wrapped bag.

It was an elegantly wrapped gift bag. He set it down in front of me.

My heart sank. I opened it with shaky hands.

Inside were the... SpongeBob pajama pants I'd ripped last night.

I stared at them in confusion.

"What's this supposed to mean?"

"Aren't you going to compensate me?"

Nathan didn't waste any time getting to the point.

"Huh?"

I'd been expecting him to ask for money or at least give me a hard time.

"You just want me to... get you a new pair of pants?"

"Yeah."

He nodded, then added, "And the boxers. So, are you going to pay up or not?"

My face burned.

"I... I will! I'll buy new ones tomorrow!"

"No need."

Nathan pulled up a shopping website on his phone.

"This brand. This size. Buy ten pairs."

I leaned over to look at his screen and nearly dropped dead on the spot.

It was a luxury brand I'd only seen in fashion magazines.

One pair cost almost three months' rent.

Ten pairs?! Why doesn't he just rob me?

I could already hear my wallet crying.

"Boss..."

I put on my most pitiful face.

"Can't we... negotiate a little?"

"No."

He locked his phone, stood up, and headed to his room.

I was left sitting alone in the living room, staring at the pajama pants I'd destroyed and trying not to cry.

This guy isn't a roommate. He's a loan shark in SpongeBob pajamas!

第3章

The next morning, I showed up to work with dark circles under my eyes.

I'd spent half the night searching every second-hand site I could think of...

The result? Even the secondhand ones were way out of my budget.

So I came up with a new plan.

I'd work hard, make myself useful, and somehow convince Nathan to forget about the debt.

The moment I reached my desk, Derek called me into his office.

"Claire, what exactly is going on between you and the boss?"

Derek looked dead serious.

My stomach dropped. "N-nothing. There's nothing going on between us."

"Nothing? Then why did he have Sandra transferred to the mailroom because of you?"

What?

Sandra got transferred?

I stared at him in shock.

"The order came straight from the executive office yesterday afternoon. She was transferred immediately."

Derek studied me with a complicated look.

"Claire... I had no idea you had connections like that."

I didn't even know how to explain myself.

Nathan and I really are just roommates!

Well, maybe things had gotten a little complicated after I ripped his boxers.

I dragged myself back to my desk and immediately noticed my coworkers looking at me differently.

Some looked envious, some jealous, and a few even treated me with newfound respect.

Some coworkers even started bringing me coffee and offering to help.

"Hey, Claire, want some coffee?"

"Claire, I brought snacks from home. Want some?"

I was speechless.

So this is what having connections feels like?

Sure, I was borrowing Nathan's power, but I had to admit... it felt pretty good.

Sandra's desk was empty. Apparently, she'd shown up at the mailroom in tears.

I didn't feel sorry for her.

The office was a battlefield. If I went easy on her, she certainly wouldn't go easy on me.

That afternoon, I closed a huge deal.

The client was famous for being difficult. No matter what anyone offered, he wouldn't budge. Several of my coworkers had already tried and failed.

I'd been working on him for two months.

Then, out of nowhere, their point person, Adrian Brooks, contacted me and said they were ready to sign.

I could barely believe it.

After the contract was signed, I couldn't help asking, "Adrian, if you don't mind me asking, what made you change your mind?"

Adrian smiled.

"Claire, you already know the answer. When your boss personally calls to put in a good word for you, how could I say no?"

Nathan again.

What exactly is he trying to do?

First, he made me pay for his ridiculously expensive boxers. Now he was helping me land deals.

Was this his idea of the carrot and the stick?

I stared at the signed contract, not sure whether to be happy or annoyed.

When I got back to the office, I went straight to Nathan's office on the top floor.

His secretary tried to stop me, but I walked right past her.

I pushed open the heavy wooden door.

Nathan sat behind his desk, reading through a stack of documents.

He looked up when I entered but didn't seem surprised.

"What is it?"

"The Brooks deal. Did you help me get it?"

I got straight to the point.

"Yeah."

He admitted it right away.

"Why?"

I honestly didn't understand.

He put down his pen and leaned back in his chair.

"Don't you want a raise and a promotion?"

"A raise and a promotion, and then what?"

I eyed him carefully.

Is he about to ask me for something in return?

Well... with that face and that body, maybe I wouldn't be getting the short end of the deal.

His next words killed that thought instantly.

He picked up his pen and returned to his paperwork.

"Then you can replace my boxers."

He said it as if it were perfectly reasonable. I stared at him, speechless.

So he's helping me make more money just so I can pay him back?

What kind of crazy debt collection is this? At this point, he might as well ask for something else.

"Thank you very much, boss."

I forced the words out through clenched teeth.

"But from now on, please keep work separate from our personal business."

"I want to earn my deals myself. I don't need you pulling strings for me."

I slapped the contract on his desk.

"Here's the contract. You can look it over yourself."

I turned to leave.

"Stop."

His voice turned cold.

I froze with my back to him.

"You think you could've met Adrian without me?"

"That project is funded by Prescott Group. Adrian is only the person in charge of it."

My body went rigid.

"So, Claire."

He stood up and slowly walked over until he was right behind me.

I could feel his presence looming over me.

"Since you owe me, be good and do as you're told. Got it?"

I clenched my fists until my nails dug into my palms.

Humiliating... this was downright humiliating.

I spun around and glared up at him.

"Nathan Prescott, you're such a jerk!"

第4章

I regretted those words the moment they came out of my mouth.

He was my boss, my creditor, and the heir to Prescott Group. He was the last person I could afford to offend.

Why couldn't I just keep my mouth shut?

Nathan didn't even flinch. He simply looked at me.

"Done?"

I pressed my lips together and said nothing.

"Then get back to work."

He turned and walked back to his desk.

"I'm doubling your quota for this month."

I almost passed out.

Double? He's trying to kill me!

"That's not fair!"

I protested.

"I'm your boss."

He didn't even look up.

"If you don't hit your target, I'll dock your pay every month until you've saved enough to replace my boxers."

I trembled with anger.

Capitalist! Bloodsucker! Tyrant!

I wanted to throw him onto the floor and rip another pair of his pants.

But I didn't dare. I swallowed my anger and quietly slipped out of his office.

The next two weeks were hell.

Double the quota meant double the work.

I was the first one at the office every morning and the last to leave every night.

No weekends. No breaks.

I lost so much weight that my cheeks looked hollow. I looked half-dead.

Meanwhile, my roommate-slash-boss Nathan was having the time of his life.

He left work on time every day, came home, and made dinner.

By the time I dragged myself home after midnight, he'd already washed the dishes, mopped the floor, and even ironed the clothes I needed for work the next day.

I'd sit at the table eating the supper he'd cooked for me, not knowing how to feel about him.

Is this guy a demon or an angel?

Or a demon pretending to be an angel? Or is he just crazy?

On the last night of the month, I finally closed my final deal and got the contract signed.

I'd beaten my quota.

I collapsed into the back seat of a cab, too tired to move.

When I got home, Nathan was still awake.

He was sitting on the couch, with a glass of warm milk waiting on the coffee table.

"Hey, just got home?"

He glanced at me.

"Yeah."

I tossed my bag by the door, kicked off my heels, and dropped onto the couch.

"Drink this."

He pushed the milk toward me.

I grabbed it and drank it in one go. The warm milk settled in my stomach, and I finally felt a little more alive.

"Nathan."

I looked at him.

"I hit my quota this month."

"Hmm."

He hummed softly.

"So... about what I owe you for your boxers..."

I carefully watched his face.

"Can we call it even?"

He looked at me.

"What do you think?"

My heart sank. Of course he won't agree.

"What if I beat my quota every month from now on? Then can we call it even?"

I quickly did the math in my head. If he agreed, I could clear my debt and earn a nice bonus at the same time.

"You think I care about your sales numbers?"

He asked.

I had no comeback. He was the heir to Prescott Group. Of course my sales numbers meant nothing to him.

"Then what do you want?"

I was getting desperate.

"Just tell me. Money or my life!"

He fell silent. Then he leaned closer. His face was so close that I could clearly see his dark eyes behind his glasses.

"I want you."

My mind went blank.

W-what?

Me?

What does that mean? He wants to sleep with me?

"A-are you joking?"

I stammered, my face burning.

"I'm not joking."

He looked completely serious. He wasn't joking at all.

"Claire, be my girlfriend."