𝘽𝙤𝙪𝙣𝙙 𝙗𝙮 𝙃𝙚𝙧 𝙍𝙪𝙡𝙚𝙨

Chapter 12: Whole New World

"Good morning, sleepyhead. I'm in the kitchen cooking breakfast! <3"

A smile tugged at my lips, warmth spreading through my chest as I glanced at my phone again. Her casual text, with that heart, made the butterflies in my stomach flutter. There was something almost surreal about waking up in her bed, in her home, like I was living in someone else's life for a moment. I still couldn't believe it—Grace, my boss, had chosen me.

Stretching out beneath the silky sheets, I took a deep breath and stared at the ceiling for a moment. How had things changed so quickly between us? Just days ago, I was the nervous new employee trying to impress her boss. Now, I was waking up in that same boss's bed, heart racing with the excitement of what the day would bring.

As I finally get up to descend down the stairs, the reality of Grace's home truly hit me. What I had thought was a sleek, elegant two-story house from my first impression was actually so much more. The stairs opened up into a vast open-concept living space with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the lush garden beyond. The furniture was modern, minimalist, with touches of luxury everywhere—marble countertops, abstract art, a grand piano that gleamed in the corner. It felt more like stepping into a high-end magazine spread than a home.

Grace's house wasn't just beautiful. It was breathtaking.

The air still riddled the smell of bacon and fresh coffee, and Grace and I made my way to the living room, where Grace gabbed the remote and put on a movie, sorta in a casual, effortless way that seemed at odds with her usual powerful, commanding presence at the office.

"How's your morning so far, with me, Jane?" she greeted me with a soft smile, her voice smooth and intimate. She always called me Jane now, and every time she did, it felt like she was stripping away another layer between us.

"It's been pretty surreal" I replied, feeling a bit shy under her gaze as I walked over to the couch and took a seat.

"I wanted today to be... different. We work so hard. We deserve a day where it's just us, no pressures, no office." She said

"No one but us."

I smiled at her, my heart swelling. This felt so new, so intimate. "I can't argue with that."

We watched the movie together, the conversation flowing easily as we shared stories and laughs. Grace was different here. Softer, warmer, just so kind. I found myself relaxing in a way I never could at the office, where she was my boss, someone I had to impress. Here, we were just two women enjoying each other's company.

Grace leaned back on the couch, her eyes twinkling with mischief. "How do you feel about taking a little trip? There's a beach about twenty minutes from here. I know a private spot."

The idea of spending the day with her at the beach, away from everything, felt like something out of a dream.

"That sounds perfect."

The drive to the beach was nothing short of magical. Grace and I sang along to the radio, her laughter filling the car as she teased me about my song choices. I had never seen her like this, so carefree, lighthearted. It made her seem so much more approachable, so much more human than the distant, powerful figure I was used to at work. She reached over several times, her fingers lightly brushing my knee, and each touch sent a thrill through me.

As we neared the coast, the salty scent of the ocean filled the car, and Grace turned onto a narrow, winding road that led us to a secluded stretch of sand. It was beautiful; isolated even, with no one around, just the sound of the waves crashing against the shore and the wind whispering through the dunes.

"This is my secret spot," Grace said as we got out of the car. "I come here when I need to clear my head."

I smiled, feeling the weight of her words. "Thank you for sharing it with me."

We walked hand in hand down the beach, the cool water lapping at our feet as we made our way to a quiet spot in the sand. The sky was a brilliant blue, and the sun cast a warm glow over everything. I had never felt so peaceful, so free.

At some point, I pulled out my phone and texted Kara, my best friend from college:

"You're not going to believe what's happening right now. I'm on the beach with my boss."

Kara's response came almost immediately:

"WHAT? Tell me everything. I need DETAILS."

I hesitated for a moment before texting back:

"It's... complicated. But I think I'm falling for her. And maybe she's falling for me."

Kara's reply was filled with excited emojis:

"OMG!! Jane. This. is. insane. I'm so stoked for you!"

I laughed softly, slipping my phone back into my pocket as Grace stretched out on the sand beside me. We lay there together, the waves crashing rhythmically in the background. I rested my head on her shoulder, and she wrapped an arm around me, pulling me closer.

"How do you think work will be tomorrow?" I asked, my voice quiet, the thought of the office already creeping back into my mind.

Grace sighed, her thumb gently stroking my arm. "We'll figure it out, Jane. I don't want this to interfere with your career or mine. But I also don't want to pretend this didn't happen."

I nodded, understanding the complexity of the situation. We worked together, and this was risky. But the thought of letting go of what we had already started made my chest tighten.

"I don't want to stop seeing you," I admitted softly.

Grace turned her head to look at me, her expression thoughtful.

"Neither do I."

We sat there in silence for a moment, the weight of our unspoken fears hanging between us. But as the sun began to dip toward the horizon, casting the sky in hues of orange and pink, the tension seemed to fade, replaced by the warmth of the moment.

Grace leaned in, pressing a soft kiss to my temple. "Let's just enjoy today. Tomorrow... we'll figure it out."

I smiled, feeling the tension in my chest loosen. For now, that was enough. We would figure everything else out later.

As the sun set and the world around us grew quieter, I felt more connected to Grace than ever. Lying there in the sand, with the ocean at our feet and the stars beginning to twinkle in the sky above, I realized that this was more than just an office fling. This was something real; something worth fighting for.

Grace dropped me off at home later that night, she passionately kissed me goodbye. I was kinda sad she had to go, but scared of what's to come tomorrow. I lied in my bed and just before going to sleep she texted me.

"Good Night. Ms. Jane Bennett."