𝘽𝙤𝙪𝙣𝙙 𝙗𝙮 𝙃𝙚𝙧 𝙍𝙪𝙡𝙚𝙨

Chapter 13: The Upgrade

The familiar buzz of the office surrounded me as I walked through the cubicles, my mind still replaying yesterday's perfect beach date with Grace. Everything felt surreal, like I was moving through a dream that I couldn't quite shake off. We had shared something real, something electric, and now here I was, back at work, pretending like nothing had changed.

But, of course, everything had changed.

As I settled into my desk, I noticed an email pop up on my screen. My heart skipped a beat when I saw it was from Grace.

**Subject: My Office.**

The email was short, direct—just like her.

>>"Jane, come to my office as soon as you can. I have something to discuss with you."

My pulse quickened. I clicked off the email and stood up, trying to shake off the nerves that had started to build in my stomach. We hadn't really discussed how we were going to handle things at work, and the uncertainty of it all was gnawing at me. What if someone had seen us together? What if people started talking?

With a deep breath, I made my way down the hall to Grace's office, trying to compose myself. I knocked lightly, and her voice called from inside, "Come in."

I pushed the door open, stepping into the large, minimalist space that I had once found so intimidating. Now, it felt familiar, like stepping into something that was deserving.

Grace sat behind her desk, her eyes lifting to meet mine. The usual coolness in her gaze was softened by something else, something only I seemed to notice. She stood up and gestured for me to come closer.

"Jane," she began, her voice steady, "I've been thinking about this for a while, and I've decided it's time for a change."

I blinked, confused by the seriousness of her tone. "A change?"

Grace nodded, walking around the desk to stand in front of me. "I've decided to give you an upgrade."

My brow furrowed in confusion. "An upgrade? I don't understand."

She smirked, crossing her arms as she leaned against the desk. "You're going to be my new assistant."

The words hung in the air between us, and I felt a wave of disbelief wash over me. "Wait—your assistant? Grace, I just started here. Don't you think this will look... strange? People are going to think I'm getting special treatment because.. because of us."

Grace's expression remained calm, but there was a flicker of something behind her eyes amusement, maybe, or defiance. "People are always going to talk, Jane. It doesn't matter what we do. What happens, happens."

I stared at her, trying to wrap my head around the situation. "But... I don't know if this is a good idea."

She shrugged. "It's already decided. I want you close, and this way, we can make sure everything stays... professional. At least on the surface."

I felt a mixture of excitement and anxiety swirl inside me. Being Grace's assistant meant being in her orbit every day, closer to her than ever. But it also meant stepping into a role that could raise eyebrows, fuel rumors, and complicate things in ways I wasn't sure I was ready for.

Grace pushed off the desk and motioned for me to follow her. "Come with me. There's something I want to show you."

I followed her down the hallway, my heart still racing, until we reached a small door at the end of the corridor. She opened it, revealing a hidden room that had clearly been untouched for a long time. Dust clung to every surface, and the old furniture looked like it hadn't been used in decades. It was small and a little cramped, but it had potential.

"This," Grace said, stepping inside, "is where you'll be working. It's not much now, but it's a start."

I glanced around the room, trying to picture myself working there, close to her every day. The room was practically ancient, but it had a certain charm—a forgotten piece of the office that only Grace knew about. Still, something about the situation felt... off.

"Grace," I said, turning to face her, "this doesn't feel right. People are going to wonder why the new girl is suddenly getting this position. They're going to think I'm getting special treatment, and I don't want that kind of attention."

Grace stepped closer, her eyes locking with mine. She reached out, brushing a strand of hair behind my ear in a gesture that sent shivers down my spine.

"You're not getting special treatment," she said softly, her voice low and commanding. "You've earned this. And as for what people think? That's their problem, not ours. I'm the one in charge here, Jane. I decide who gets what position. And I want you right here."

There was something final in her tone—something that told me arguing would be pointless. She had made up her mind, and once Grace decided something, there was no changing it.

I looked around the dusty room once more, then back at her. The excitement of being close to her was undeniable, but the risks were just as real.

"I don't know, Grace..." I began, but she silenced me with a look,one of those looks that always made my knees weak and my thoughts scatter.

"You'll be fine, Jane," she said, stepping even closer until our bodies were almost touching. "Trust me."

Her words hung in the air between us, thick with unspoken promises and hidden dangers. I swallowed, knowing that no matter how risky this was, there was no turning back now.

Grace was in control, as always.