Jessie's voice dropped, and Axell leaned in. He reached out, gently tucking a strand of her hair behind her ear, flashing a grin.

He didn't explain but she caught on slowly. Her cheeks flushed. "Not bad."

His voice softened too. "Just ‘not bad'? I guess I have to step up my game to make a real impression."

With that, he planted a peck near her lips.

The tender moment lasted a couple of seconds. When he pulled back, they locked eyes in silence.

Eventually, Axell reached for her hand, intertwining their fingers.

Pressing his forehead to hers, he whispered, “Jessie, I really Like you."

Returning home, Jessie found Lettie still awake.

Judging by her daughter's rosy cheeks, Lettie figured Axell was a keeper. She grinned and didn't pry.

Instead, she whipped up something for her girl.

"Mom, I grabbed dinner. I can't overeat, I have to stay slim,"

Jessie announced.

Lettie beamed. "True that. Guys dig the slender look. I'll hook you up with yoga class."

Jessie shook her head, slipping into her room.

After her shower, she lounged on her bed and texted Axell for a while. Setting her phone down, she mulled over Albert's proposition.

Despite its allure, she was already seeing someone else.

Axell had no clue about her history with Albert, so he played up to Albert.

If she wanted to stick with Axell, she couldn't keep tutoring Albert's daughter.

Jessie made her decision.

Next day, at the Waston Group headquarters.