Page 103 of Strictly Against Policy

The furrow between my brows softened. My rigid body relaxed despite the frown still weighing down the lines of my lips. I exhaled a long, exhausted breath.

“I’m hoping the same thing,” I whispered.

“If not, it is what it is. We will just bear the rage of your family’s storms together.” He shrugged, as if everything that occurred had been merely a minor incident.

“We?” I blinked. Streams of tears fell onto his fingers as he wiped them away.

“Yeah, you and me.” He smiled softly.

“You’re not scared of them and the drama they bring?”

He cocked a brow at me, confused. “Am I supposed to be?” I stilled, and Jonathan blinked. He snaked his arms around my waist and pulled me into his chest. “I’m not afraid of your family, Lina. And I refuse to let them disrespect you the way they think they can.”

My vision grew hazy again. “Jonathan.”

“You don’t have to leave our pharmacy if you don’t want to. Our team appreciates you here with us. I appreciate having you here with us. Stay, Lina, please,” he said.

I laughed softly. “I thought you were counting down the days until I left. You even mentioned you never liked me and didn’t look forward to working with me. Aren’t you being quite biased as the pharmacy manager, Dr. Lo?”

“Biased or not, you’re a good pharmacist. That much is true. You are diligent and aren’t afraid to step in and help wherever necessary. You’re a team player and a hard worker. We need a pharmacist like you, Dr. Lee.” He scoffed, pulling out of our embrace to look down at me with this proud grin. “I’m asking you to stay with us if you like. Not as your pharmacy manager, but as a colleague.”

Jonathan glanced at his side. I heard footsteps approaching; a group of people were only a few steps away from us. I stumbled away from him to create some distance between us, especially in front of the pharmacy owner.

Dr. John Tsukamoto was of an average but sturdy build. The lines on his face were deep and hard as his expression pinched into a tight knot. Our pharmacy technicians were in tow behind him, along with a man who looked like the younger version of John.

“What are you two doing here?” John asked sharply.

“We wanted to make sure everyone and the pharmacy were fine. I’d feel a lot better if—” Jonathan started.

“Are you serious?” John interrupted. “You were just at the ER because of an assault, and you still came back to make sure the pharmacy is fine? Go home, Jonathan. Everything here has already been taken care of.”

“What about the glass and tomorrow’s operations—” my boyfriend continued.

“Go home and rest, son,” insisted John. He pointed to the man in the back whom I had never met before. “Matt, Grace, Carmen, Sheryl, and I were able to clean everything properly. The pharmacy will be back up and running tomorrow morning.”

Although it would be more reasonable for the pharmacy to stay closed for another day—so our staff could recuperate after today’s traumatic event—I wasn’t surprised we’d be operating as usual tomorrow. The pharmacy was still a business, after all. Not mine or Jonathan’s, but John’s. It was his call.

“Sure thing, boss,” said Jonathan.

John nodded, glancing at the two of us. He arched a soft yet curious brow at us. “You two do understand we have strict policies regarding interpersonal and romantic relationships, correct?” he stated.

Jonathan and I straightened at once. “Yes, sir,” I answered this time.

John turned to look at me and then my boyfriend. “I never thought I’d see the day you’d be in a relationship with an employee, Jonathan. You’ve always been professional since the day you started working with me as a young pharmacy tech,” he said.

The air around us stifled as Jonathan went still. While my movements grew heavy with nervousness, his became quiet. John’s gaze continued to stay on him as he spoke.

“As someone who has had the delight of watching you grow into the man you are today, I’m excited to see you with someone composed and immensely capable, Dr. Lo.” His tone grew softer as he turned back to me with an equally gentle smile. “Dr. Lee, I trust that you two will keep your personal relationship from affecting your performance and continue to maintain professional conduct within the pharmacy.”

“Yes, sir,” we answered in unison.

John nodded slowly. “Good, good. Although it may be excessive, I’ll have to reach out to my employment law attorney to draft a contract for the two of you. This is to formally acknowledge that your relationship is a consensual romantic relationship and establish its voluntary nature,” he said. “Jonathan, you are Lina’s manager. With that power imbalance, I want you two to understand the clear framework of your professional conduct going forward.”

He looked over his shoulders at Grace, Carmen, and Sheryl. “Never hesitate to contact me if your manager oversteps the bounds of his position. I believe I can trust all three of you to be my eyes and ears.”

“Yes, sir,” they all answered quickly.

“Dad!” exclaimed the man I wasn’t familiar with. “You don’t have to put everyone on the spot like that!”