013. Awakening to reality

A gentle caress on Amelia's inner thigh woke her up. Her skin shivered at the sensation of Jason's fingers delicately gliding over her. Slowly, she opened her eyes, her eyelids heavy with sleep, and found herself face-to-face with Jason's intense gaze. He was watching her closely, his face illuminated by the soft morning light seeping through the curtains.

"You're not planning on spending all day in bed, are you?" Jason asked softly, leaning in to kiss her tenderly on the lips. Amelia felt the warmth of his breath and the softness of his mouth, her heart racing at the unexpected tenderness.

Amelia turned her head towards the window. The sky was just beginning to lighten with the first hints of dawn. With a skillful twist of her hips, she rolled over and straddled Jason. Their bare bodies brushed against each other, both still warm from their shared sleep.

"All day? The sun hasn't even come up yet. What time is it?" Amelia asked, feeling Jason's erect member brush against her lower lips. She was merely teasing him; she wasn't planning to have sex, but she liked having control. The sensation of power made her feel more secure in her new life.

"Six in the morning. Time to go for a run. We lazed around too much yesterday," Jason smiled, his hands resting on Amelia's hips. "Half an hour of running, a shower, breakfast, and we can be at the office by eight."

Amelia got out of bed, her feet touching the soft carpeted floor. She walked towards the closet, her body reflected in the large golden mirror that adorned one of the walls. The room was immense, decorated with finely carved mahogany furniture and velvet curtains that gave an air of elegance and luxury. The bed, with its silk canopy, looked like a throne in the center of the room.

"You're taking me to the office? I thought my role was to take care of the house," she said, pulling out one of the sports tops and leggings they had bought the previous day.

"You should also learn to handle my businesses," Jason replied from the other closet, his voice echoing in the room with a confidence that sometimes intimidated Amelia.

While changing, Amelia couldn't help but glance at her reflection in the mirror. Her feminine body, which still felt strange to her, moved with a new grace. Her thoughts swirled. Could she really adapt to this life? Could she manage Jason's business and keep his interest? She knew she had to try, to show strength and capability.

"And every morning we'll run for half an hour?" she asked, trying to focus on the daily routine instead of her doubts.

"If there are no interruptions, yes. I've also ordered another treadmill to be installed in the heated pool for rainy days," Jason said with a smile that Amelia could feel even without seeing him.

Amelia sighed in her dressing room. It seemed the honeymoon phase was over. Now she would have to work hard to keep Jason interested in her. Her thoughts mingled with the sensation of the sports clothes fitting snugly to her body, reminding her that she needed to be in top shape, both physically and mentally.

She exited the dressing room and met Jason again, now dressed in sportswear that accentuated his well-defined muscles. He offered her a reassuring smile, and for a moment, Amelia felt that maybe, just maybe, she could find a balance in this new life.

Amelia and Jason left the house, the fresh morning air enveloping them as they headed towards the vast garden. The sun began to rise, bathing the landscape in a golden light that made the dew on the grass glisten. The garden was a labyrinth of paths, fountains, and flowerbeds that seemed to stretch endlessly.

Jason started to jog at a steady pace, and Amelia did her best to keep up with him. Each step echoed in the morning silence, accompanied only by the birds waking up. Amelia struggled to maintain the rhythm, her legs starting to ache and her breathing growing heavier. Jason, on the other hand, seemed to move with natural ease, his strong and agile body gliding down the path.

As they went on, Amelia felt the route becoming endless. Each time she thought they might stop, Jason kept going, his pace steady and relentless. Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, Jason slowed down and stopped beside a marble fountain adorned with classical statues.

Amelia doubled over, resting her hands on her knees as she tried to catch her breath. Her muscles burned, and her heart pounded.

"I can't go on," she said between gasps, feeling like her body might collapse.

Jason looked at her with an impassive expression, showing no signs of exhaustion on his face.

"I was holding back. You need to improve your physical condition," he said, his voice firm but not unkind.

Amelia looked at him incredulously, knowing she had no choice but to follow his routine. Jason took her hand and guided her back to the house, his steps firm and determined.

They reached the bathroom, a spacious area with white marble and large mirrors. Jason turned on the shower and adjusted the water to a cold temperature. Amelia grimaced but didn't protest. She knew her place was to follow his instructions.

The cold water hit her like a bucket of ice, making her gasp. Jason stepped in behind her, his hands moving over her body as they both rinsed off. Despite the cold, their closeness created a strange warmth. Jason took some shower gel and began to lather her, his hands gliding over her skin with both care and possessiveness.

"Relax," he whispered, his voice husky from the proximity.

Amelia closed her eyes, allowing herself to enjoy the moment. Jason's hands were firm and sure, exploring every inch of her body with a blend of tenderness and control. She did the same, taking the gel and beginning to lather him, her fingers tracing lines of foam on his skin.

The caresses became slower and more sensual, the cold water turning into a backdrop for the rising tension between them. Jason gently turned her around, his lips brushing against her neck while his hands continued their exploration. Amelia felt her body responding to every touch, her breathing deepening.

"That's better," Jason murmured, his lips grazing her earlobe.

Amelia surrendered to the sensations, momentarily forgetting the exhaustion and pain from the run. The cold water was no longer a discomfort but a contrast that intensified the heat between them.

After what felt like hours, Jason finally turned off the shower. They both stepped out, their bodies still trembling slightly from the intensity of the moment. They dried off with soft towels, their eyes meeting in the mirror's reflection.

"Let's get dressed and have breakfast," Jason said, his voice calm but filled with promises.

Amelia nodded, feeling a strange mix of exhaustion and renewed energy. She knew the challenges weren't over, but she was determined to face them, one step at a time, alongside Jason.

As she dressed in her closet, Amelia's mind kept drifting back to Jason's muscular body. She remembered how his hands and lips had given her intense pleasure, and how, despite the cold water, she had come out of the shower feeling even hotter. She wanted to give herself to Jason, to have full sex with him, but on the other hand, she couldn't understand how that was even possible. Suddenly, Jason sexually attracted her when just a few days ago she had been a man, and physical contact with another man seemed repulsive.

She knew they were going to the company and needed to dress modestly, but her eyes sought a way to look more irresistible to him. The dress couldn't be too provocative, although all her clothes had been chosen to enhance her figure. Finally, she chose a light blue dress that fit her body but wasn't too short or showed too much cleavage.

While choosing the sexiest lingerie and the dress, Jason appeared in her closet while she was still only in her bra and panties.

"A bit bold to go to the office like that," Jason joked, enjoying the view of Amelia's body.

"Don't laugh. You have no idea how hard it is to pick something for the office. You just throw on a suit, and that's it. For me, I have to think about looking elegant but not too formal, and at the same time, not too casual."

"I'll have my tailor come to the office this morning to take your measurements and make you several suits," Jason said, smiling with a mix of amusement and appreciation.

"But I won't be able to bear a jacket during summer. Well, I'll wear the suit skirt or pants and a blouse. Give me five minutes to put on the dress and do my makeup."

"Makeup isn't necessary; you look very pretty as you are."

Amelia nodded, blushing as her mind marveled at how flattered she felt by such a simple comment from a man. She put on the dress and shoes, feeling both nervous and excited.

"Ready. Shall we have breakfast?"

Jason nodded and took her hand, leading her to the dining room. The morning sun shone through the large windows, filling the room with a warm and welcoming light. The table was set with an abundant breakfast: fresh fruit, freshly baked bread, jams, eggs, and coffee.

They sat across from each other, and as they ate, Jason watched her with a mix of interest and admiration. Amelia, for her part, tried to maintain her composure, though inside she felt a whirlwind of emotions. Her hands trembled slightly as she held the fork, and the knot in her stomach seemed to persist, despite the calm atmosphere and delicious food.

"You must be nervous about going to the office," Jason commented, taking a sip of coffee, his eyes fixed on Amelia's.

"A little. I don't know what to expect," Amelia admitted, playing with a piece of bread. She knew it was an understatement. In reality, she was terrified. She had recent studies from Harvard, but zero work experience. The thought of having to lead a company overwhelmed her. How was she going to be up to the task?

"You'll be fine. Just remember that you're with me. You'll learn quickly, and you'll have my support at all times," Jason said with a reassuring smile, but Amelia couldn't help but think of all the ways she could fail.

"But what if I make a mistake? What if I can't handle the pressure? I've never worked in a real company before, let alone one at this level," Amelia said, her voice betraying the growing anxiety she was trying to control.

Jason set down his coffee cup and leaned towards her, taking her hand in his. His eyes, filled with firmness and understanding, looked at her with an intensity that made her feel a little more confident.

"Making mistakes is part of learning. No one expects you to be perfect from the start. What's important is that you're willing to learn and improve. I'll be by your side to guide you and support you every step of the way," he said, gently squeezing her hand.

Amelia nodded, feeling a slight sense of relief. She knew she would face many challenges, but having Jason by her side gave her a confidence she hadn't expected to feel. She finished her breakfast slowly, trying to calm her thoughts and mentally prepare for what lay ahead.

"Remember, Amelia, confidence is built over time. Today is just the first step," Jason added, smiling as she absorbed his words.

They got up from the table and headed towards the main door. The ride to the car was quiet, but Amelia couldn't help but feel a growing pressure in her chest. They settled into the back seats, and the car began to move towards the office.

As she looked out the window, Amelia tried to recall all the lessons from her professors at Harvard. Management theories, business models, financial analyses... Everything seemed so distant now, compared to the reality of having to put it into practice. Doubts swirled in her mind. Would she be able to make the right decisions? How would she manage employees? What would she do if someone questioned her authority or knowledge?

"What should I do if I don't know how to solve a problem?" she asked suddenly, breaking the silence in the car.

Jason looked at her with a mix of patience and encouragement. "Ask me. Ask your team. Most of the time, problems are best solved in groups. You're not alone in this, Amelia."

Jason's answer reassured her a bit, but she knew the real challenge was ahead. The city streets passed by outside, and with each passing mile, she felt closer to the looming trial. She tried to focus on her breathing, inhaling and exhaling slowly, trying to calm her mind.

Finally, the car stopped in front of an imposing office building. Amelia felt her heart race as she looked towards the entrance. This was the beginning of something completely new and terrifying. Jason gave her hand a gentle squeeze, conveying a confidence that she desperately needed at that moment.

"Are you ready to start?" Jason asked, looking at her with a smile that aimed to instill courage.

"Yes, I'm ready," Amelia replied, trying to inject firmness into her voice, even though she felt a whirlwind of emotions inside.

They got out of the car and headed towards the entrance of the building. Each step echoed in her mind like an echo of her own insecurities, but with Jason by her side, she was willing to face it all. The first day at the office would be a challenge, but also an opportunity to prove her worth and start building her future in this new world.