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I made my way to the top floor, my binder clutched tightly in my arms. My boss, Jude Astor, the owner of the company I work for, has summoned me. Not gonna lie, my nerves are a bit on edge. You don’t get called to the CEO’s office for small talk.
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When I reach the door, I take a deep breath and knock. A muffled “Come in” follows, and I push the door open, stepping into the sleek, modern office. Jude Astor is sitting behind his massive desk, looking as intimidating as ever.
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“Morning, Mr. Astor,” I said, trying to keep my voice steady.
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“Morning, June. Please, take a seat,” he replied, his tone neutral but his eyes sharp.
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I sat down, placing the heavy binder on his desk. We go through the usual business, discussing reports, projections, and all that jazz. Once we’re done, I stand to leave, eager to escape the tense atmosphere.
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But just as I turned to go, he called me back. “June, one more thing.”
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I froze, then turned around slowly. “Yes, Mr. Astor?”
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He steepled his fingers, looking at me intently. “You’ve been doing excellent work. So, we’re promoting you. You’ll be transferred to another department starting Monday.”
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My heart skips a beat, and I can’t help but smile. “Thank you, Mr. Astor. That’s... that’s amazing.”
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He nodded, reaching into a drawer and pulled out a contract. “Here’s the paperwork. You’ll see your new salary outlined there as well.”
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I took the contract, my hands trembling slightly with excitement. But as I scan the numbers, my heart sinks. The raise is so minimal, it’s almost like nothing was added at all.
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"What’s the point of a promotion if it doesn’t come with a significant raise?" I said silently.
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I looked up at him, trying to keep my disappointment off my face. “I see. Well, thank you for the opportunity, Mr. Astor. I appreciate it.”
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He gave me a curt nod. “You’re welcome, June. We believe in rewarding hard work.”
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I forced a smile and signed the contract. “Of course. I’ll make sure not to let you down.”
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“Good,” he says, taking the contract back. “And one more thing, we’ve noticed you take public transport. We’d like to offer you a complimentary car.”
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I swallowed hard. “I, uh, I don’t have a driver’s license, Mr. Astor. I’m… I have PTSD from a car accident. My parents…” My voice trails off, the words sticking in my throat.
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He nods, his expression softening slightly. “I see. Well, that's okay. The offer still stands if you ever decide to get your license. Take care of yourself, June. You’re a valuable part of this company.”
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“Thank you, Mr. Astor,” I said again, this time more quietly. I prepared to leave his office, feeling a mix of emotions; gratitude, frustration, and a lingering sadness I couldn’t quite shake.
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Before I turn to leave, he adds, “June, sometimes we need to face our fears to move forward. Don’t let the past hold you back. You have a bright future ahead.”
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His words hung in the air as I nodded, forcing another smile. “I’ll keep that in mind. Thank you.”
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The promotion is a step-up, sure, but the raise barely makes a dent in my financial worries.
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And the car… Well, that’s a whole other issue I’m not ready to deal with yet. But at least it’s something. I just have to keep pushing forward, one step at a time.
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I wrapped up the last bit of paperwork and glanced at the clock. Finally, it's time to call it a day. I gather my things, trying not to think too hard about the barely-there raise and the whole "face your fears" pep talk from Mr. Astor. Easier said than done, right?
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As I step outside, the chilly air hits me, and I pull my coat tighter around myself. It must have been raining earlier because there’s a huge muddy puddle right by the curb. Typical. Just what I need after a long day.
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I stick my hand out to hail a taxi and start daydreaming to pass the time. I can’t help it, my brain always drifts to those cheesy romance novels I love so much.
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You know, the ones where the brooding billionaire sweeps the struggling heroine off her feet. It's a ridiculous escape, but hey, it's better than reality sometimes.
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I imagine some knight in shining armor pulling up in a sleek car, offering to whisk me away to a glamorous life. He’d look like he stepped right out of one of those book covers—tall, dark, and impossibly handsome. Of course, he’d be charming and attentive, the complete opposite of that jerk from this morning.
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Just as my fantasy gets good, my phone buzzes in my pocket, snapping me back to the real world. It’s a text from my best friend, Chloe: Party tonight! You in?
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I hesitated for a moment. I’ve got work early tomorrow, but Chloe's parties are always a blast. Plus, it's been forever since I had any fun. Screw it, I need this.
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“Okay, fine, you win. I'll be there,” I text back, a small smile playing on my lips.
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As I’m putting my phone away, a car zooms past, splashing through the puddle and drenching me from head to toe in muddy water.
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My clothes stick to me like a second skin, and I feel the cold seeping through. Great, just great.
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I look up, and who do I see behind the wheel? Mr. Hotshot from this morning. Of course, it had to be him. He rolls down his window, a smug grin on his face. “We really have to stop meeting like this, sweetheart.”
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“S*xy thing! Look at those curves! Dammit!” he says, his voice dripping with a mix of arrogance and something else. “Look who we have here. You know, you look even better when you’re wet.”
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I glare at him, feeling the mud drip down my face. “What the hell is your problem?”
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He chuckles, his eyes lingering on my soaked clothes. “I just can’t help myself around you. You’re… distracting.”
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“Distracting?” I snap, crossing my arms over my chest. “You’re a perv.”
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He licks his lips, his gaze still fixed on me. “Maybe. But I bet you think about me when you’re alone, don’t you?”
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My blood boils. “Go to hell.”
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He smirks, looking like he’s enjoying every second of this. “Only if you join me.”
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I turn away, stomping off, my shoes squelching with every step. I finally manage to hail a taxi and slump into the backseat, fuming.
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So much for my fantasy. Real life really knows how to ruin a good daydream.
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