Chapter 3
The car stopped at the entrance of Columbia University. Sebastian looked at me: "Starting tomorrow, follow my rules."
"Okay." I nodded, still replaying his earlier words "you can only kiss me" in my mind. Although he said it was a joke, that possessive tone...
"Go." Sebastian's voice returned to its cold detachment. "I'll send you detailed requirements."
As I got out of the car, I was still holding Daniel's business card. Looking back at the Maserati's taillights disappearing into the night, my emotions were a tangled mess.
By the time I returned to the dorm, it was already 11 PM. My roommate Jennifer was asleep. I sat on my bed, pulled out my phone, and began reflecting on today's "work performance."
Wrong person, wrong kiss, nearly screwing up a $200,000-a-month job... This was a career disaster!
No, I couldn't be this unprofessional anymore. Since Sebastian said he was going to retrain me, I had to show him my professional attitude!
I pulled out my notebook and began writing under the desk lamp:
"Sebastian Blackstone Preferences File - Day 2 Update"
It was 2 AM, and I was still writing furiously.
"1. Dislikes pancakes (verified ✓), prefers double shot espresso (remember Starbucks Pike Place)"
"2. Prone to jealousy, danger level 5 stars (confirmed by this morning's Daniel incident)"
"3. Better mood when wearing Tom Ford suits, more serious in Giorgio Armani"
Jennifer poked her head out from her bed, bleary-eyed: "Becky, what are you doing? It's 2 AM!"
Without looking up, I continued writing: "Perfect Girlfriend Rules in progress. Rule #1: Always be punctual and well-dressed. Rule #2: Show appropriate interest in his preferences."
"Rule #3: Never question his whereabouts. Rule #4: Always look perfect in public."
Jennifer was fully awake now, climbing down to look at my pages of notes: "Girl, this is insane! You're treating dating like an MBA project?"
"Because this IS a business contract." I answered matter-of-factly. "The highest-paying job I've ever had. $200,000 a month, I have to be professional!"
"But this is about feelings!" Jennifer was exasperated. "You can't analyze your boyfriend like you're writing a business plan!"
I stopped writing and looked at my roommate seriously: "Jennifer, I've never had a real relationship. I don't know how to be a girlfriend. But I know how to do a job well. Since someone's willing to pay this price for my services, I need to give him the most professional experience."
I turned to a new page and continued writing: "Rule #5: Available 24/7, but give him appropriate personal space..."
"Rule #6: Absolutely no physical contact with other men (especially watch out for Daniel!)"
Jennifer shook her head: "You're going to drive yourself crazy."
"No, I'm going to make myself the perfect girlfriend." I closed my notebook, eyes shining with determination. "Tomorrow is showtime!"
After a night of thorough preparation, I finally faced the real test the next evening. Sebastian took me to his colleague's gathering at Employees Only, an upscale Wall Street bar in lower Manhattan.
Amidst the glittering lights, Goldman Sachs investment banking elites were having their weekly gathering. I held Sebastian's arm, executing every detail according to last night's "Perfect Girlfriend Code."
Timely smiles ✓, not interrupting ✓, graceful positioning ✓, occasionally gazing at Sebastian tenderly while he spoke ✓.
I had even studied investment banking terminology in advance to ensure I wouldn't embarrass myself in conversation.
"Sebastian, your girlfriend is too perfect!" colleague Mike said enviously, holding his whiskey. "The way she looks at you, it's like she's worshipping an idol!"
I mentally noted: Rule #6 verification effective - adoring gaze makes boss look good.
Sebastian took a sip of his drink and glanced at me, his expression somewhat complex. "She is... very special."
"How did you train her?" another colleague joked. "My girlfriend always checks my phone when I'm working, opens my packages, asks about everything."
"I didn't train her..." Sebastian answered unnaturally.
I maintained my perfect smile while mentally recording: Rule #7 addition - don't check phone, don't ask about work, give complete trust and space.
Just then, a familiar figure walked through the bar entrance.
Daniel, wearing a casual navy blue suit, was walking in with some friends. When he spotted our group, his face lit up with pleasant surprise.
"What a lovely surprise!" Daniel smiled as he approached us, his eyes directly locking onto me. "Brother, and beautiful Becky."
Sebastian's face darkened instantly, his grip on the whiskey glass tightening slightly: "What are you doing here?"
"This has always been one of my regular spots." Daniel answered naturally, then looked at me. "Didn't expect to run into you. A beautiful woman always brightens up the evening."
He moved closer, his voice becoming more gentle: "Becky, how about I buy you a drink?"
The colleagues around us cast curious glances, and the atmosphere suddenly became delicate.
This is a test! My mental alarm bells went off. This was definitely a test of my professional integrity!
Following last night's emergency protocol, I answered politely but firmly: "Thank you Daniel, but I'm here with Sebastian tonight."
Daniel was taken aback, then smiled even more warmly: "Of course, you're on a date. I just wanted to..."
"We're together." I said more firmly, instinctively tightening my grip on Sebastian's arm. "And I only want to be with Sebastian."
The colleagues around us made good-natured catcalls, with Mike laughing: "Wow, what a model girlfriend!"
Sebastian felt the pressure from my arm, his expression softening slightly, but his eyes still held wariness.
"Understood." Daniel raised his glass, a hint of reluctance in his eyes. "Then I wish you both... have a wonderful evening."
But when he looked at Sebastian, a flash of provocation crossed his eyes: "Brother is truly lucky to have such a loyal girlfriend."
I sensed the tension between the two brothers intensifying and quickly said: "Sebastian treats me very well, of course I should be loyal to him."
I looked up at Sebastian, trying to display the sweetness of a girl in love: "Right, honey?"
Sebastian looked at me, that indescribable emotion in his eyes becoming even more complex.
After the gathering ended, it was nearly 11 PM when we returned to Sebastian's Upper East Side apartment. I immediately pulled out my notebook and began updating the day's records: "Today's performance review: Good performance in social setting, successfully rejected competitor's offer, boss's colleagues responded positively, but unexpected variable appeared - Daniel."
"Do you really treat this as work?" Sebastian couldn't help asking, his voice carrying an emotion I couldn't understand.
"Of course." I looked up at him, eyes shining with excitement. "Best job ever! Clear expectations, excellent salary, flexible hours, and..." I paused, "the boss himself is also quite... nice."
I continued writing: "Sebastian's mood today: slightly jealous when Daniel appeared, may need additional reassurance service. Suggest preparing his favorite espresso and light topics tomorrow, avoid mentioning Daniel-related content."
Sebastian walked over and saw the dense records in my notebook. His preferences, his mood changes, his schedule... everything was being analyzed like a research subject.
"Note: Daniel's appearance triggered possessiveness, this could be a leverage point."
"Leverage point?" Sebastian's voice suddenly turned cold. "I'm your leverage point?"
I didn't understand why his mood suddenly changed and continued explaining professionally: "This is market analysis. Understanding emotional triggers helps provide better service..."
"Service?" Sebastian interrupted me, his voice carrying an anger I'd never heard before. "You really see this as just a job?"
"The best job ever!" My eyes lit up, completely oblivious to his emotional change. "Clear expectations, great pay, flexible hours, so much better than my previous job at the campus bookstore! And I can finally dress nicely, go to upscale restaurants, see high society..."
Sebastian looked at my genuinely excited expression, his face suddenly becoming very ugly, as if I had said something that hurt him.
"Then what if..." Sebastian asked tentatively, his voice trembling slightly, "what if someone was willing to pay higher salary? Say, $250,000?"
I didn't even think: "Then of course I'd consider switching jobs! But I'd need to look at the specific requirements and benefits package of the new position." I paused, suddenly realizing this might not sound good, and quickly added: "But I'm very satisfied with this job now, boss, you don't need to worry about me breaching contract. I'm a person with professional integrity!"
Sebastian's expression suddenly became very unpleasant. He didn't speak, just stared at me for a long time.
I continued updating my notes: "Action items for tomorrow: 1. Create Daniel risk assessment report 2. Research more of Sebastian's preferences 3. Develop long-term relationship maintenance strategy..."
"Suggest taking him to his favorite café tomorrow, order double shot espresso, avoid Daniel-related topics, focus on making him feel special and appreciated..."
"Satisfaction level: 85%, still room for improvement. Tonight's jealousy episode shows increasing emotional involvement, which is a positive sign for job security."
Sebastian suddenly turned and walked toward the balcony, his back to me. From his tense shoulder line, he seemed very unhappy.
I was a bit confused and continued conscientiously planning tomorrow's "work schedule." I thought I was being very professional, so why did he look dissatisfied?
"Becky," Sebastian suddenly spoke, his voice very soft, "do you think... love can be bought with money?"
I looked up and saw his silhouette on the balcony, inexplicably feeling a bit heartbroken.
"Love?" I thought about it. "I think love and this contract are two different things. This is a business arrangement, very clear and clean. Love is too complicated, I don't understand it."
Sebastian's shoulders trembled slightly.
"But," I continued, "if there really is love, it probably can't be bought with money, right? Truly loving someone is because of who they are, not because of their money."
Sebastian turned around, his eyes carrying a complex light: "Then do you think... someone could truly fall in love with me as a person? Not because of money?"
Looking at him, I suddenly felt this question was very heavy. There was a vulnerability in his eyes I'd never seen before.
"Yes." I said seriously. "You're very good. Although you're a bit domineering, a bit prone to jealousy, but..."
"But what?"
"But there's a very gentle light in your eyes, especially just now when you asked me this question."
Sebastian was stunned.
And I was stunned too.
Just now... was I in work mode? Or... did I speak from my heart?