31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtEKIDO20JH
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.
31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMUGXIDDSvI
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.
31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDhrjy2jrkQ
“Morning, Mr. Astor,” I said, trying to keep my voice steady.
31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJuCRxU8v0a
“Morning, June. Please, take a seat,” he replied, his tone neutral but his eyes sharp.
31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf0NpEWh5dJ
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.
31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpdop9TCpzd
But just as I turned to go, he called me back. “June, one more thing.”
31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJp6qnfuReP
I froze, then turned around slowly. “Yes, Mr. Astor?”
31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjamN8LVtlu
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.”
31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyRrOllBEl5
My heart skips a beat, and I can’t help but smile. “Thank you, Mr. Astor. That’s... that’s amazing.”
31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRChNZJkqEz
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.”
31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnn94kyCzC5
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.
31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtb7nFcRe8D
"What’s the point of a promotion if it doesn’t come with a significant raise?" I said silently.
31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsM11NdDzJ0
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.”
31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5SraJ12p9Z
He gave me a curt nod. “You’re welcome, June. We believe in rewarding hard work.”
31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSf4ytV3oPN
I forced a smile and signed the contract. “Of course. I’ll make sure not to let you down.”
31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvtY93VAcWZ
“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.”
31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ046zi7p1RF
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.
31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDx9H5w4E0W
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.”
31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7LQaBcFD5S
“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.
31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡypc4cRmENF
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.”
31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD18vSpkwqF
His words hung in the air as I nodded, forcing another smile. “I’ll keep that in mind. Thank you.”
31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2GrRfhbiv1
The promotion is a step-up, sure, but the raise barely makes a dent in my financial worries.
31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdil4ujyrqI
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.
31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3yooL2g5Bt
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?
31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV0S3wYr5UF
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.
31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh8PBMUVioH
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.
31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmwE9gJKGpJ
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.
31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡavD3Lq0Xq7
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.
31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXYBqy2V7xK
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?
31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡufR37eXSuJ
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.
31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDMNeUaXRbM
“Okay, fine, you win. I'll be there,” I text back, a small smile playing on my lips.
31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtFalijEFyM
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.
31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9JBBSp4XAX
My clothes stick to me like a second skin, and I feel the cold seeping through. Great, just great.
31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8HsP3zYNYG
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.”
31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd1AXJr9Xpp
“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.”
31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2AeFZhI2ql
I glare at him, feeling the mud drip down my face. “What the hell is your problem?”
31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5m2ZnJb7eg
He chuckles, his eyes lingering on my soaked clothes. “I just can’t help myself around you. You’re… distracting.”
31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEpuUnitKs9
“Distracting?” I snap, crossing my arms over my chest. “You’re a perv.”
31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhafMlQydHk
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?”
31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpDlMsAagBD
My blood boils. “Go to hell.”
31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7JSOcjxHIK
He smirks, looking like he’s enjoying every second of this. “Only if you join me.”
31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxGQlXsrghM
I turn away, stomping off, my shoes squelching with every step. I finally manage to hail a taxi and slump into the backseat, fuming.
31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg7PaxC9ueH
So much for my fantasy. Real life really knows how to ruin a good daydream.
31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ44sY7e6iO6
31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2fYBgWUVjJ
31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvKUcXG3jlR
