A Secretive Deal with My Billionaire Boss novel Chapter 127

Chapter 127

Madison

Jackson spotted us and smiled, that same crooked smile that used to appear when he’d finally solved a difficult math problem. He weaved between tables toward us.

“Madison! Hazel!” He spread his arms wide. “You both look amazing!”

Hazel, who had been ready to verbally destroy him moments ago, stood up and accepted his hug like they were long–lost relatives. “Jackson! What a surprise! We were just saying how it’s been forever!”

I caught her eye over his shoulder and mouthed, “Traitor.” She responded with a subtle shrug that clearly meant, “But he’s hot now.”

Jackson turned to hug me next, and I caught a whiff of expensive cologne. “Mads, so good to see you in person. Thanks for meeting me.”

“Sure thing,” I replied, patting his back awkwardly before pulling away. “It’s been a while.”

“Three years, two months, and approximately sixteen days,” Hazel said sweetly, then added, “Not that I was counting.” (1

We all sat down, and an uncomfortable silence fell over the table until Jackson cleared his throat.

“So, I owe you both an explanation and an apology.”

“You think?” Hazel raised an eyebrow, but her tone lacked the venom she’d promised earlier.

Jackson leaned forward, folding his hands on the table. “I know I disappeared without warning. It wasn’t cool.”

“Understatement of the century,” I muttered, sipping my water.

“The thing is,” Jackson continued, “after graduation, I got hit with all my student loans at once. The economy was tanking, entry–level jobs were paying peanuts, and I was drowning in debt.” He ran a hand through his hair. “When this opportunity came up in London, I jumped at it. The pay was decent, but the hours were brutal.”

“So you worked non–stop for three years?” Hazel asked, skepticism clear in her voice.

“Pretty much. I was juggling three part–time jobs on top of my main gig just to make the loan payments. Lived in this tiny apartment with four other guys.” He shrugged. “But I finally paid everything off last month. That’s why I’m back clean slate, fresh start.”

“That’s great and all,” Hazel said, stirring her water with her straw, “but it doesn’t explain why you couldn’t send a single text. ‘Hey guys, still alive, just working my ass off in London.‘ Would’ve taken

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ten seconds.”

Jackson had the decency to look embarrassed. “I know it sounds stupid, but the longer I went without contacting anyone, the harder it got. I figured you’d all moved on with your lives, forgotten about me.

Hazel and I exchanged a glance and then simultaneously turned to Jackson with identical expressions of disbelief.

“Who are you?” we asked in unison.

Jackson blinked. “What?”

“No, seriously,” I said, leaning forward. “Who are you? Because the Jackson we knew wouldn’t have just assumed his friends had forgotten him.”

“Yeah,” Hazel chimed in. “The Jackson we knew would’ve known we’d be worried sick. The Jackson we knew would’ve at least sent a F******k message or something.”

“I guess I’m not that Jackson anymore,” he admitted quietly.

An awkward silence fell over our table, broken only when the server approached with her notepad.

“Ready to order?” she asked, pen poised.

“God, yes,” Hazel said with relief. “I’ll have a caramel macchiato with an extra shot and whipped cream. And chocolate drizzle,” she added, shooting me a pointed look.

“Just black coffee for me,” Jackson said.

“I’ll take a vanilla latte,” I said, handing back the menu.

When the server left, Jackson cleared his throat. “So, what have you two been up to for the past three years? Fill me in on everything I missed.”

I took a sip of water, buying myself time. What could I say? Oh, I’m sleeping with my billionaire boss as part of a contract to pay my mom’s medical bills? It was not exactly casual coffee chat material.

“Nothing exciting,” I said with a shrug. “I work as a PA at Knight Industries. You know, scheduling meetings, answering phones, the glamorous life. Nothing special.”

“Don’t let her fool you,” Hazel chimed in. “She just got promoted to project manager for some fancy new building development.”

I shot her a look that clearly said not helping.

“Wow, that’s impressive,” Jackson said, leaning forward with interest. “You always were the

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smartest one in our study group.”

“What about you, Hazel?” I asked, desperate to change the subject. “Catch Jackson up on your life.”

Hazel flipped her hair dramatically. “Well, I’m in marketing. Actually, I just started at a new company last week. The creative director is a nightmare, but the pay is decent, and the snack room is fully stocked, so priorities, right?”

“Dating anyone?” Jackson asked her.

“Not currently. Dated two guys since college. The last one ended about a year ago. He thought commitment‘ was a disease you catch from toilet seats.” She shrugged. “His loss. I’m fabulous.” (1)

Jackson laughed, then turned to me. “What about you, Madison? Anyone special in your life?”

My stomach clenched. I could feel Hazel’s eyes boring into me, waiting for my answer. What was I supposed to say? Alexander wasn’t exactly my boyfriend, but we were… something. Something complicated and contractual and occasionally naked.

“Nope,” I said, popping the ‘p‘ sound. “Flying solo.”

“Really?” Jackson looked genuinely surprised. “I would’ve thought guys would be lining up around

the block.”

Hazel snorted into her water. “Madison scares them off with her work ethic. She’s practically married to her job.”

“I am not,” I protested, though it wasn’t entirely untrue. Even before Alexander’s arrangement, work had consumed most of my life.

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