Chapter 48 Will you be my girlfriend
June
I rush outside, eyes darting, heart hammering. I turn down the hallway, scanning every corner, forgetting entirely about my half-zipped shirt.
His hands were wrapped in bandages. What happened to him?
No, June, no-don't. That's not the point. The point is he looked at me like a stranger, just like the very first day I stepped into his office..
"What are you doing?" Lia's voice cuts through the air behind me.
I freeze. Slowly, I turn. They're all there-Lia, Chris, Tobias. My supposed distractions.
All staring at me while I search for the one man I shouldn't even allow myself to think about.
"What are you looking for, June?" Lia asks, stepping into my frantic search.
"Are you okay? You've been acting weird," Chris adds carefully.
I freeze, unclenching my fist. I can't keep acting like this in front of someone who actually likes me - not because of someone who clearly doesn't.
I need to pull it together.
"I thought I saw someone I know. I-" I lie, rubbing the back of my neck.
Lia leans closer, lowering her voice. "June, honey, your zip's open. Let's go back and get you properly dressed," she whispers, before turning to Chris and Tobias.
"You guys should get the car ready. We'll be right down in a minute."
I nod quickly and slip back inside. Within minutes, the attendant comes in and packs everything.
"Let's go," Lia says with a small smile. She's trying to be kind, but I can tell she thinks I'm acting strange too.
And she's right. I need to leave. I don't feel good anymore.
Mr. Grande is destroying my life, my balance, even my relationships, and I can't let him keep doing this to me.
"Uh-Lia..." I begin as we step out of the building, heading toward the parking lot.
"I need to go home. Something urgent came up with my roommate," I lie again, holding up my phone like proof.
Lia's brow lifts. "Oh, then Chris will take you home. Scott said we don't have to come in again."
My lips part. I wasn't expecting that. "No, I'll just grab a cab. She's...uh, at the hospital, so I need to-"
"Oh my!" she cuts in, eyes wide. "Is she okay?"
"It's not that serious," I rush out, flapping my hands, my face hot. God, I'm so terrible at lying. "Tell Chris I'll call him later, and just text me your address, okay? I'll come hours before the gala so you can go full fairy godmother on me."
"Of course." Lia chuckles softly, her worry fading into warmth. "Be safe. And my regards to your sick friend."
I bite my lip, waving. "Thanks."
I'm so sorry, Leila.
I let out a deep sigh as I enter the house. Today was nothing like the distraction I thought it would be. It was just bad. I shouldn't have gone out in the first place. Maybe then, I wouldn't have found Mr. Grande in my fitting room.
I had a feeling he'd be there after spotting his girlfriend on the escalator, but what I can't figure out is how he ended up in my fitting room. It must have been a mistake. His face said it all-shocked, dumbfounded.
Maybe he's still wondering what his poor, lowly secretary was doing in such an exclusive boutique. Suit him right, after the way he talked down on me at the internal review.
But then-why does it feel like someone dropped a weight into my chest? If I close my eyes, I hear her calling him, "Hermes honey," the sound so casual, her hand sliding into his like it owned there, and he lets her, like it was the most natural thing in the world. Because it is-they're dating.
I hate this. I hate-
"June!" Leila's scream cuts into my thoughts. I blink, realizing I'm still standing in front of the closed door.
"Oh," I breathe softly, "Hi."
Leila's face falls. "What's happening to you, J? Where have you been?" she asks, stepping closer.
"You left this morning without a word, and I've been calling you." Her voice is taut with worry.
I rub my neck. "I went to SCC," I mumble, avoiding her eyes.
Her brows pull together. "SCC? As in the boutique, Sin City Chic?" Her voice pitches upward.
"Yeah," I mutter, sinking into the couch. "We went to pick out outfits for the gala. And I'm sorry I didn't pick your calls. I didn't see them. When's Kayla coming back? I haven't heard from her since she left." My words tumble fast, desperate to change the subject.
"What gala are you talking about? And what do you mean we? What friends?" Leila presses, sliding into the chair across from me.
I swallow hard. Leila doesn't know. She always knows-about everything. I've told her every stupid, reckless detail of my life since forever, but now I'm keeping things from her.
It's all Mr. Grande's fault. He's tangled my life into knots, and he's going to pay for it.
I stand abruptly, guilt pricking my chest. "Uhm-there's this annual gala at Apex tomorrow and-"
"Tomorrow?" Leila cuts in, eyes wide. "And you didn't say anything?"
I sigh deeply, gathering my hair into a bun. "Don't worry, I've got everything under control. Like I said, I-Lia, Chris, and Tobias went to the boutique to get outfits and-"
"But you can't afford SCC." She rises, confusion tugging at her face. "And are these people you mentioned your work friends? Why didn't you tell me about them?"
"Who said I can't afford SCC?" I snap, meeting her eyes. Maybe she sees me the same way he does.
"I'm sorry." She quickly takes my hands, shaking her head dismissively. "Forget about it. Have you talked to your boss about the transfer yet?"
I can't answer that question. Instead, I yank my hands from hers, my voice rising. "I'm asking you a question, and why do I have to tell you anything? You're not my mother!"
I storm out before I can see her reaction.
Inside my room, I throw my bag on the floor and bite down hard on my lip. I can't believe I said that to Leila. My chest aches with guilt. It's all his fault. My friendship is crumbling because of him. My fists clench at my sides. Then my phone buzzes.
(Hey, it's Chris).
A sob slips from my lips. I can't do this right now, Chris.
I tap back: (Hi Chris. Sorry about today, and thanks for getting the dress and jewelry.)
Within seconds, his reply lights up my screen: (You don't need to thank me. Like I said earlier at Brekky, it's the least I can do for accepting to be my plus one.)
(And Lia told me about your friend. Is she okay?)
I close my eyes, guilt burning in my chest. First I lied using her name, then I yelled at her for nothing.
Tears prick my eyes as I type back, (Yes, she's okay).
I collapse onto the bed with a heavy thud. I'm a monster.
His reply pings almost immediately. (That's good. Uhm... there's something I wanted to tell you after we left the boutique, but you left.)
(...)
As I wait, my screen lights with a new notification-an email from Mr. Paul. My stomach knots as I switch over.
Notification of Transfer to Strategy Team.
A bitter scoff slips out before I can stop it. So he's transferred me without a word. Relief twists into something messy-am I glad? Upset? Ashamed?
I flick back to my chat with Chris, and my breath stalls. His message has dropped in, a whole paragraph, but my eyes catch only the last line:
(Will you be my girlfriend?)