After a much heated internal debate, I concluded that my CEO could only be a robot.

Noah Jung was a super rich, handsome, and intelligent machine. That was the only plausible explanation for his invincible existence. As his receptionist, there weren’t many opportunities for us to interact. But with a direct view of his office from my desk, I could even write a thesis on him. 

In my three years at the Jung Group, he never missed a day of work. No sick days and no breaks. Ever. The only fuel he required was his expensive imported coffee. No sugar, no cream. Even his facial muscles had only three settings. A business smile for his clients. A straight face for his employees. And the faintest of frowns that meant the situation was beyond irreparable—someone was going to be fired.

It would have been tolerable, but the problem was… he expected the same kind of dedication from us. The overwork made us feel like we were one failed experiment away from turning into zombies. 

But how would a robot understand the ways of humans? I suspected that he was truly unaware that we worked to live. And not the other way around.

A conformist by nature—rules were the love of his life. Anything was achievable if we kept by his standards. But what if one of us broke his rules? Unfortunately, none survived to tell the tale. 

As a sane member of the human population, I should have known better than to take the risk. Breaking his rules was a cardinal sin. But I had no other choice. No, I didn’t sell off our secrets to our rival yacht company. Or add sugar to his favorite Jamaican coffee. But I did the one thing he hated the most. 

I took up another job after work.

I was walking on eggshells, but I believed I had perfected my crime. Sharp at seven, I would shut my computer, exchange my nude heels for my white sneakers, and rush to the public pool to teach swimming. There were occasional run-ins with my colleagues and insistent dinner invites. But I always had an excuse ready. I’d successfully evaded their company but also kicked away my social life.

At least there was one person beside me. “Isla! Come out before you turn into a prune!” Lucy shouted from the other end of the pool. 

I chuckled and looked at my wrinkly fingers. She was right. I stepped out of the water and removed my swimming cap. My mass of dark hair fell over my back and stuck to my skin. “What’s for dinner?”

“We hit the jackpot. They expire tonight.” Lucy pulled out sandwiches from her apron. “Get changed. I’ll lock my snack cart.”

“Yes, ma’am!” 

I worked on auto-pilot. Shower, dress, pack up. I smiled when I saw the date on my phone. Salary day tomorrow. Finally, something to look forward to. Olivia’s college fees were due soon. I could transfer the amount to my sister, send money to my parents, and still have enough for expenses in the city. Working two jobs was finally paying off. 

I walked out of the locker room when I heard Lucy shout from reception, “Go back!”

“Come on.” The man laughed. “My friend’s already in there. We paid to rent out the whole pool!”

“I didn’t see anyone!” Lucy shouted. 

“Don’t you know me?” He countered.

“If you have enough money to rent out the pool, why can’t you afford a proper swimsuit? What is that, a banana hammock?” Lucy busted up laughing.

“You don’t like it?! I’m a swimsuit model!” he cried out. “Look at the poster behind you!”

What is going on out there?! I gave up on locking the room and hurried towards them.

Splash!

The sound stopped me in my tracks. I was the last person to leave the pool. Then who was in there right now? A ghost? Goosebumps rose over my skin, and I quickly shook my head. It must be his friend. Right. I walked over to the pool and narrowed my eyes.

Empty. I frowned. Was it my imagination? As I turned away, a flash of movement caught my eye.

At the far end of the pool, a hand shot out of the water and disappeared.

Panic gripped me as I realized—someone was drowning! I rushed in again. The head bobbed up to the surface. It was just a glimpse, but I knew who it was in an instant. This time, I panicked for a different reason.

W-why was he here?!

I, Isla Rose, was screwed. Because, right now, the person drowning in the pool was none other than my CEO… Noah Jung!

I wanted to cry at my rotten luck. Of all the places he could’ve been, why this shady public pool? He was a millionaire, for heaven’s sake!

“Help!” The desperate voice snapped my attention back to him. 

My instincts kicked in, and I ran towards him. I was about to lose my day job. I knew it. But I didn’t have any choice. CEO or not, I had to save him.

I picked up the rescue tube and jumped in.

Cold water enveloped me. Adrenaline pumped in my veins as I swam deeper inside. I spotted him instantly. He desperately kicked around, his movements slowing with each passing second. I swam behind him and hooked my arms under his armpits. He pushed his weight over me, and our legs tangled together. 

My muscles protested, but I continued to pull him upwards. His movements slowed until they stopped altogether. Don’t tell me…? I swam harder. Just a bit more. Please. We broke through the water. I gasped and shouted, “Hold the tube!” 

He didn’t respond. I gritted my teeth, wrapped an arm around his limp torso, and swam towards the edge of the pool. My energy was draining fast, and I struggled to pull the man twice my size. Our cheeks pressed together as I glanced at him. His eyes were closed. But the moment he would open them, I knew I would be doomed.

With effort, I pulled him out of the pool. He remained motionless. I took in short, quick breaths as I inched my face closer to him. Was he breathing?

Noah coughed and sputtered water on my face. I yelped and pulled back. Slowly, he opened his eyes. The pitch-black irises stared at me with an unwavering intensity. My stomach squeezed, and I gave him an uneasy smile. “Are you okay?”

Recognition hit him. His eyes widened, and he whispered, “You?”

I averted my eyes and bit my lip. “Y-yes, sir?”

Noah touched my hand resting on his face. I quickly pulled it back. “Ms. Rose. You work here.”

“Yes.” I couldn’t lie. Not when there was ‘swimming instructor’ written on my t-shirt. Our eyes met, and blood rushed to my face. This was it. I’d broken his biggest rule. And he had caught me. Tomorrow I would be updating my resume and looking for new jobs. 

“You...” —are fired. I pursed my lips and waited for him to say those words. However, a strange look entered his eyes, and he took my hand in his. With a serious expression, he said, “Teach me how to swim.”