25Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdMARToU2uj
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.
25Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHQyS2wCGar
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.
25Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG9SsDXD25x
“Morning, Mr. Astor,” I said, trying to keep my voice steady.
25Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyzUstdv1WA
“Morning, June. Please, take a seat,” he replied, his tone neutral but his eyes sharp.
25Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJKvrP4BLnr
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.
25Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwSdirzul4N
But just as I turned to go, he called me back. “June, one more thing.”
25Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg4ND2w1EMg
I froze, then turned around slowly. “Yes, Mr. Astor?”
25Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Yca6P6zfw
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.”
25Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI5TqpIWCMj
My heart skips a beat, and I can’t help but smile. “Thank you, Mr. Astor. That’s... that’s amazing.”
25Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ131XigPqBR
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.”
25Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo1VlN8rEvs
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.
25Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW1Zd9GuCVl
"What’s the point of a promotion if it doesn’t come with a significant raise?" I said silently.
25Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ38sQv74WQA
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.”
25Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjT4hp9AkQt
He gave me a curt nod. “You’re welcome, June. We believe in rewarding hard work.”
25Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTLKePxQZxe
I forced a smile and signed the contract. “Of course. I’ll make sure not to let you down.”
25Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjYeeKYmI1e
“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.”
25Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxZkw17pwcT
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.
25Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI8eYZpVY0e
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.”
25Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsRScyL19de
“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.
25Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYgvIP6vb77
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.”
25Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKhYD8HmaBc
His words hung in the air as I nodded, forcing another smile. “I’ll keep that in mind. Thank you.”
25Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbt8hmqDcje
The promotion is a step-up, sure, but the raise barely makes a dent in my financial worries.
25Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNJ1awUULl5
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.
25Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡClWxgBxAdy
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?
25Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcOpjkvKQQ9
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.
25Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9435fom95K
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.
25Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBIP81DNZUb
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.
25Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUjeoz2DXgJ
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.
25Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEaFPjzftlC
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?
25Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Mwm3dHXJP
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.
25Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb1g5P5Gd6J
“Okay, fine, you win. I'll be there,” I text back, a small smile playing on my lips.
25Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIHwP2W52UV
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.
25Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfrdMv44WQ4
My clothes stick to me like a second skin, and I feel the cold seeping through. Great, just great.
25Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkCjOmkTtKV
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.”
25Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUVVaGv0POI
“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.”
25Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIbfqAdcfFt
I glare at him, feeling the mud drip down my face. “What the hell is your problem?”
25Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzv98AMvbUu
He chuckles, his eyes lingering on my soaked clothes. “I just can’t help myself around you. You’re… distracting.”
25Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcgPyGxaLbx
“Distracting?” I snap, crossing my arms over my chest. “You’re a perv.”
25Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡccu7r4gF6H
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?”
25Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkfFLzrWYR5
My blood boils. “Go to hell.”
25Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR2PbPnhx7Z
He smirks, looking like he’s enjoying every second of this. “Only if you join me.”
25Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWVwDHa0Kn3
I turn away, stomping off, my shoes squelching with every step. I finally manage to hail a taxi and slump into the backseat, fuming.
25Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyj9K5Awov9
So much for my fantasy. Real life really knows how to ruin a good daydream.
25Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhIuqJqxW5Z
25Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEeJiHY3oQT
25Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡONMnPZYmmg
