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MY BOSS'S SECRET BABY
I ran into an insufferably arrogant man on a blind date. To get rid of him, I blurted out that I was pregnant with my boss's baby.
What I didn't know? My boss and his colleague were sitting right behind me!
I stumbled in shock. "B-Boss!"
He glanced at me coolly. "Careful. Don't stress the baby."
Me: "..."
Question: Should I resign immediately, or drop to my knees and apologize?
1
My mom had been on some kind of mission lately, collecting information about the most ridiculous men from our relatives and forcing me to go on blind dates with them.
This weekend alone, I'd already met with three of them!
"I hope you'll quit your job and focus on preparing for pregnancy, Miss Lin. I make $8,000 a month, and as long as we're frugal and you don't act like those materialistic women who waste money on clothes, shoes, bags, and makeup, we'll have more than enough to get by."
I stared at the balding, delusional man across from me, my smile frozen on my face as he droned on for the past fifteen minutes.
If he hadn't been introduced by a relative, I would've ripped that hairpiece off his head and slapped him with it.
"Oh, and my work keeps me pretty busy, so let's skip the big wedding. It's just a formality anyway. A college buddy of mine just opened a photography studio—we can get our wedding photos done there. That'll save us a lot of unnecessary expen—"
"Ugh..."
"What's wrong?"
My sudden dry heave finally made him stop talking.
"Are you feeling sick?"
I hesitated. "It's not that..."
"Is the food here not clean?"
"There's something I should tell you. I'm pregnant."
"What?"
Behind me, I heard a sudden movement. The man across from me shot to his feet in shock. "You're pregnant and you're still going on blind dates??"
I put on my best tragic expression. "I didn't have a choice! The baby's actually my boss's!"
Someone coughed behind me. I didn't pay attention, fully committed to my performance. "I never thought he'd be such a jerk. As soon as he found out I was pregnant, he dumped me and forced me to get an abortion. What could I do? He's a powerful CEO—how could I fight back?"
The balding man was too stunned to speak. I took a strategic sip of water and looked at him pitifully. "Mr. Kim, since you want to marry me, you'd be willing to accept the baby too, right? Your mom's desperate for a grandchild—here's one ready-made for her!"
Light laughter came from behind me. The man in front of me visibly panicked. "No... that's not... Miss Lin, your mom never mentioned you were pregnant! You can't just hide something this huge—that's not right!"
"My mom doesn't know. Please don't tell her."
"Miss Lin, I don't think we're compatible."
He grabbed his bag to leave. I stood up, pretending to stop him. "Why not? You just said we'd get married next week!"
His expression darkened with disgust. "Miss Lin, I heard you work as a secretary at a big company. I thought you were different—pure and respectable. I never imagined your private life would be so messy. Pregnant out of wedlock! Our family would never accept a woman like you!"
I watched him leave with fake hurt on my face. Before I could let my smile break free, I turned around and locked eyes with a pair of inscrutable dark eyes.
I stumbled, my whole body freezing. A chill ran down my spine.
"B-Boss!"
God! Could someone please tell me why my boss was sitting at the table right behind me?
How long had he been there? Had he heard everything?
He raised an eyebrow, unhurried. "Careful. Don't stress the baby."
"..."
He really had heard!
I wanted to cry.
I was just considering whether to drop to my knees and apologize when the person sitting across from him turned around. "Hey, Miss Lin?"
I nearly fainted with my eyes wide open. It was Mark!
I was screwed. Mark was notorious for being a gossip!
If he heard everything, the whole company would know by tomorrow.
No—I had to explain immediately!
"Director Liang, this is all a misunderstanding. I was just joking around. Don't overthink it. Mr. Knight and I have absolutely nothing going on. Please don't spread this around the office!"
Mark looked at me with sympathy, then shot Simon a look like he was the world's biggest scumbag. "Oh, I get it."
Get what?
He looked pointedly at my stomach. "I'm so sorry for what you're going through."
"...Director Liang, I'm really not pregnant."
"Miss Lin, don't stand around—it's bad for the baby. Come sit."
Me: "..."
I already told you I'm not pregnant! Why won't this man believe me?
I reluctantly turned to explain to Simon. "Boss, I—"
"It's fine. Sit."
That's not what I meant!
"What?" He smiled.
His smile made me uneasy, especially since I'd just been caught doing something wrong.
"...Never mind."
Not daring to disobey, I was about to carefully sit next to Mark when he stopped me. "Someone's sitting here. Sit next to Simon."
Someone?
I looked at Simon hesitantly.
"Come on."
His smile sent chills down my spine.
Simon was the type to hold grudges. He was probably plotting some revenge right now.
Reluctantly, I took the seat.
He poured me a glass of water. Just as I reached for it, he pulled it away. "Oh, I forgot—this is cold. You can't drink cold water when you're pregnant."
Huh?
My eyes went wide with alarm. What was he saying?
"Don't look at me like that, or people will think I really don't want this baby."
"..."
Mark gasped dramatically, his eyes gleaming with the excitement of fresh gossip!
"When did you two...?"
Before he could finish, we heard something crash to the floor nearby.
I looked over. Victoria?
What was she doing here?
Had she heard everything?
Great. I'd heard that Simon and Victoria were childhood friends, practically engaged by their families. Did this make me a homewrecker?
2
"Finally! You're always late," Mark complained teasingly.
Victoria's smile looked strained. "Miss Lin is here too?"
She walked over gracefully and sat in the only empty seat—next to Mark.
"Why didn't you tell me Miss Lin would be here?"
I glanced at Simon, who clearly had no intention of explaining. To avoid any misunderstanding, I spoke up. "I was here for a blind date today. I just happened to run into them."
"A blind date?" She looked surprised.
"Yeah, I'm at that age. My family's pushing me to get married."
As I spoke, I felt a cold presence emanating from beside me. That sharp gaze made me inexplicably nervous.
I fidgeted, looking for something to drink.
"You're so beautiful and capable, Miss Lin. I'm sure your dates go well?"
"...They're okay. Though I have to see two more later."
I'd made myself crystal clear. Please don't misunderstand—I live an honest, law-abiding life. I would never intentionally interfere in anyone's relationship!
She gave me an odd look, then glanced at Simon. After a moment, she laughed lightly and asked tentatively, "I just heard you mention a baby. What was that about?"
I immediately distanced myself. "Mr. Knight and I were just joking! There's no baby."
Simon calmly handed me a drink—some kind of beverage. I was surprised he'd noticed my earlier fidgeting.
I was thirsty anyway, so I took it without thinking and drank.
What I didn't expect was that I naturally dislike sweet things, and this drink was sickeningly sweet!
I couldn't help but gag a few times.
The two across from me jumped in alarm. "Are you okay?"
I forced down the urge to vomit and waved my hand. "I'm fine."
Mark seemed to realize something, his expression shifting from panic to teasing. "Miss Lin, you really need to watch your diet from now on."
"..."
Simon "helpfully" patted my back. "Is it too sour?"
He looked resigned. "I told you to stop drinking so many sour drinks lately. You never listen."
I looked at him in confusion. "When did I...?"
Just as I was about to protest, my eyes landed on the coffee spoon by his hand. I froze.
Suddenly, I understood.
That drink had tasted suspiciously sugary! He'd dumped all the sugar into it!
This petty man!
Was he really going to hold a grudge over me using him as an excuse?
"What's wrong? Your face is all red. Are you hot?" He looked innocent.
I was grinding my teeth in frustration.
But he was my boss, and I had been talking behind his back. He was petty, so getting a little revenge was... expected.
Fine. I'd let it go.
"I'm fine." My smile didn't reach my eyes.
Mark's gossipy eyes looked ready to pop out of his head. "You two... you've been hiding this so well! All these years at the company, and I never suspected a thing!"
I decided to give up on explaining and just smiled shyly.
Victoria was still here. I wanted to see how he'd explain this to her.
"I've always kept my personal and professional lives separate."
Huh?
I stared at him in disbelief. What was going on with Simon today?
Had he been possessed?
I'd known him for five years. While I knew he liked to mess with people, he usually had boundaries. What was different today?
Maybe sensing my confusion, Simon leaned over and whispered in my ear, "I don't want Victoria to have any illusions about me. Help me get rid of her, and I'll forgive what you did earlier."
I was shocked. "How am I supposed to do that?"
"You're my secretary. Can't you handle this small task without me holding your hand? Or has pregnancy really made you stupid?"
I was speechless.
Meanwhile, the two across from us were staring intently at us whispering.
Victoria's expression had grown even worse.
After a moment of internal debate, I decided to protect my career. I suddenly slapped Simon's shoulder, and before he could react, I leaned against him with an exaggeratedly shy expression. "Oh, stop... why did you tell them..."
I felt Simon stiffen and shoot me a dark look.
Mark looked like he was choking, his expression horrified.
I wanted to die. My dignity was completely destroyed.
But I'd already started, so I might as well commit fully!
"Yes, we did have a baby."
I looked heroically resigned, not daring to check anyone's expressions. So I also missed Simon's slight smirk.
Victoria had gone pale, her hand shaking as she held her cup.
"But... I lost it." I paused, then added with fake concern, "It wasn't his fault. I was careless..."
Perfect. That had just the right tone of suspicious cover-up.
Simon tilted his head, watching me with amusement.
Feeling guilty, I quickly changed the subject. "Director Liang, Victoria—since we work together, I hope you can keep our relationship confidential."
"...Relationship?" Mark's voice cracked.
"What's wrong?"
"Nothing..." Mark swallowed hard.
"I... I have to go."
Victoria finally couldn't take it anymore. As she stood up, she kept glancing at Simon, probably waiting for him to stop her.
But Simon acted like he didn't notice. He just looked down at me tenderly. "Babe, should I drive you home later?"
Babe!
Who was he trying to gross out?
3
Victoria left.
I sat up properly, feeling awkward.
Mark sighed. "You two are something else. But Simon, if Miss Lin is your girlfriend, why do you treat her like a slave at work?"
Excuse me? Who's a slave?
"Working her to death, making her work overtime constantly, taking her on all your business trips..." Mark trailed off as if realizing something, his expression changing. "Oh, I get it now! And here we all thought you were clueless with women. Turns out you're smoother than all of us!"
I couldn't quite follow Mark's train of thought, but to be honest, while Simon was demanding and made me work overtime a lot, he paid extremely well for it!
Plus, his business trips weren't actually that bad. We flew first class, stayed in nice hotels, ate well... He treated me the same as himself. What other boss was that generous?
I don't know when Mark left. By the time Simon called my name, it was just the two of us.
"Let's go. I'll drive you home."
"That's not necessary—"
"What, you have other plans?" His eyes shot toward me. "Still planning to meet those other two men?"
Other two men?
I was confused for a moment before remembering what I'd told Victoria earlier.
"No, no. I'm actually going to a class reunion."
"I'll drive you."
I panicked. No way—I'd only said that to brush Victoria off. I wasn't actually planning to go!
"Boss, you're busy. I can't waste your personal time. I'll go by myself."
"Since when are you so formal? You never minded before." His eyes narrowed. "Unless you did something else wrong and you're feeling guilty?"
Ha ha.
I laughed awkwardly. "Of course not."
Unable to refuse, I ended up in his car.
But the reunion... I really didn't want to go.
It had been so many years since high school graduation, and I'd never attended any of their gatherings. But this time, the former campus heartthrob Ethan Yu was attending, and if I showed up too, everyone would assume I came for him...
After all, my public rejection from him was legendary. Everyone knew I'd supposedly been in love with Ethan.
Ugh...
I kept alternating between frowning at my phone and sighing at the window. Before I knew it, we'd arrived.
Simon unbuckled his seatbelt and flicked my forehead.
I jumped back to reality. "Wh-what?"
He looked exasperated. "We're here."
"Oh, thanks, Boss. See you later."
I dutifully got out of the car.
I planned to wait for him to leave so I could sneak away, but as soon as I stepped out, I ran into high school classmates!
"Emily, you actually came!"
Seriously? They recognized me immediately after seven years?
"We were just talking about whether you'd show up. Of course, once we heard Ethan was back in the country, here you are!"
"You look even more beautiful now! Ethan's going to regret rejecting you back then, ha ha!"
They were all laughing and teasing, and I just wanted them to shut up. Did they think they were being funny?
"Whoa, nice car..." They seemed to notice the car beside me for the first time and crowded around to look. "This thing's expensive! Emily, you've done well for yourself!"
Seeing Simon in the car, Tyler hesitated. "Did your boyfriend drop you off?"
I glanced awkwardly at Simon in the car, unsure whether to confirm or deny it.
Tyler was Ethan's best friend in high school, and everyone else here knew about my history with Ethan. They were probably all waiting to laugh at me tonight. I didn't want to be their dinner conversation.
As I hesitated, Simon got out of the car, walked over to me, and put his arm around my shoulder. Before I could react, he spoke up: "Nice to meet you all. I'm Emily's boyfriend, Simon Knight."
I stared at him in shock as he gave me a meaningful smile.
I'd never been so grateful for his ability to read people. Usually, I hated how he could see right through me, and it sometimes even made me angry.
But this time, with just one look, he understood my predicament and helped me without hesitation.
I was actually... kind of touched.
All those years of dedication to the company weren't for nothing!
Everyone else looked as shocked as I felt, taking a moment before awkwardly greeting him.
That's when Ethan appeared with my former high school bestie, Mia Xu.
They both froze when they saw me, probably surprised I'd actually come.
Made sense—I'd told the group chat I wasn't going.
But when Ethan's eyes landed on Simon beside me, seeing Simon's arm around me, he looked startled.
He stared at Simon, seeming about to say something.
But Simon gave him a cold glance, and Ethan fell silent, just looking at me with a complicated expression.
I was confused.
"Emily, long time no see."
Mia greeted me with fake sweetness.
I glanced at her, not particularly wanting to talk.
"Long time."
She didn't seem to care, just stared at Simon. "Is this... your friend?"
I gave a noncommittal "Mm-hmm" and pulled Simon inside without caring if he minded.
Behind us, I could vaguely hear Tyler teasing, "You two went to the same college, studied abroad together, and came back together... don't tell me..."
4
"Your taste in men is, honestly, terrible. Though his taste was good—rejecting you was the right call."
"..."
Now that we were alone, Simon was back to being annoying.
I glanced at his arm still around my shoulder. Did he even realize?
"Boss, no one's around. You can let go now."
"You sure?" He raised an eyebrow. "Sounds like someone doesn't need my help anymore."
His reminder made me realize. I immediately changed my tune, trying to butter him up. "Boss, could you do me a favor tonight?"
He looked disgusted. "Emily, you're so calculating. When you need me, you're all sweet. When you don't..."
"I was wrong!"
I had a great attitude. "Boss, if you agree to pretend to be my boyfriend tonight, I'll do whatever you ask from now on. I won't complain!"
He looked reluctant. "Fine, I've always been considerate of my employees. I'll help you this once."
I laughed inwardly but smiled ingratiatingly outwardly.
"Though I'm surprised, Miss Lin. I didn't know you were so devoted. All these years without a boyfriend—turns out you never got over your first love?"
I gave him a tight smile. "Boss, the reason I haven't had a boyfriend all these years is because of you."
"Me?"
He looked down at me, something strange flickering in his eyes.
"Of course. If you didn't make me work overtime constantly, would I have had no time to meet new people?"
"...I see. Sounds like Miss Lin has quite a few complaints. And here you just said you'd have none."
...
When we walked into the private room, everyone stared at us with open curiosity and gossip.
I felt a chill run down my spine.
Looking around, I saw Ethan's group had already arrived.
"Emily, it's been so long! Sounds like you've done really well for yourself. Tyler and the others said your boyfriend drove you here in a luxury car worth hundreds of thousands?"
It had only been a few minutes, but everyone already knew I'd brought a boyfriend. Tyler's group had clearly been busy spreading the news.
"Emily, what does your boyfriend do?"
"The richest and most successful among us is Ethan. How does your boyfriend compare to him?"
As soon as someone said that, I heard Simon laugh softly beside me—the kind of laugh someone makes when they hear something ridiculous. Thinking I'd misheard, I looked up at him, only to see him watching Ethan.
And Ethan seemed unable to meet his gaze.
Was he feeling guilty about something?
"I'm just saying, you probably found some pretty boy somewhere and paid him to pretend to be your boyfriend, didn't you?"
I'd been silent, and now the troublemaker showed up—Payton, who'd never gotten along with me in high school.
I looked worriedly at Simon. He watched me with amusement. "Pretty boy?"
I smiled weakly. "We'll talk about this later..."
He raised an eyebrow and whispered in my ear, "I'll settle this score with you later."
Payton, seeing herself ignored, grew angry. "You never came to any reunions before, but as soon as Ethan and Mia show up, here you are with a boyfriend. It's hard not to think you're still hung up on Ethan but didn't want to lose face, so you found some pretty boy from a bar to pretend!"
Suddenly brought into the conversation, Ethan looked at me with a complicated expression. "Emily and I are just friends. She has a b