CHAPTER FIFTEEN
Selene
Monday morning greeted me with a dull ache behind my eyes, a lingering exhaustion from the weekend's mess. The drive back home had drained me, but I wasn't defeated. If anything, I felt lighter now that I had left my family behind—until the next inevitable summons, at least.
The office was already buzzing when I arrived. Phones rang, fingers clacked against keyboards, and the smell of freshly brewed coffee hung in the air. The familiar routine of work should have been grounding, but there was a shift in the atmosphere—one I couldn't quite place yet.
I barely made it to my desk before Lisa sidled up beside me, her usual easygoing smile in place. I think I can say we've gotten closer.
"Rough weekend?" she asked, sipping her coffee.
"You could say that." I dropped my bag onto my desk and powered on my computer.
Lisa leaned in conspiratorially. "Family drama?"
"The worst kind." I rubbed my temple, trying to push away the remnants of my mother's voicemail.
Lisa winced in sympathy. "Been there. My aunt once accused me of trying to 'seduce' her husband because I wore red lipstick to a Christmas party."
I huffed out a laugh. "And did you?"
"Oh, absolutely." She winked. "But that's beside the point."
Before I could respond, a familiar voice sliced through our conversation.
"You're late."
I sighed before turning to face Becca. She stood with her arms folded, her expression sharp with disapproval.
"It's 8:55," I said dryly.
"Which means you're cutting it close," she countered. "Not a good look, Graham."
I kept my expression neutral. "What do you want?"
"You'll be assisting Charles on the Westfield project. You are however to report back to me so I can cross check and make sure you make no mistakes."
My brows lifted slightly. "Excuse me?"
Becca tilted her head. "You didn't know? You didn't know how incompetent you are? How cumbersome it is to carry the burden of being the only one doing there job around here?"
Becca's smile widened. "Oh. My mistake."
This crazy woman was asking for it. Oh how I wish murder was not a crime. I have never seen someone so narcissistic before. I thought Brianna was narcissistic but Becca might actually give her a run for her money.
I folded my hands on my desk as they were shaking with rage. "You pawned off half your responsibilities on me last week. Is this another task you're conveniently handing over because of how 'competent' you are?"
Her expression didn't waver, but something in her posture stiffened.
"Is this you saying you can't do your job? Is the workload too heavy for miss Graham? You talk the talk but your feet wobble when you need to walk the walk?" She sneered.
Lisa spoke then, quiet but firm. "She can handle it."
Becca barely spared her a glance. "Oh, I have no doubt."
She turned on her heel and walked away.
Lisa watched her go, then glanced at me. "Looks like your workload just got heavier."
I took another sip of coffee. "It always does."
---
The meeting was set for ten.
I took my usual seat, expecting the usual rundown of upcoming projects.
I didn't expect Charles' next words.
"Selene, you'll be joining me on the Westfield trip this week."
I barely had a second to process before a sharp intake of breath cut through the room.
Becca.
Her entire posture stiffened, her nails digging into the notebook she held. The subtle twitch of her jaw, the narrowing of her eyes—she was furious.
I turned to Charles, keeping my voice even. "I wasn't aware I was going."
His gaze met mine, unwavering. "You are now."
Becca's lips parted slightly, as if she was about to protest, but she caught herself. Instead, she forced a smile so brittle it could snap. "Oh?"
Charles didn't spare her a glance. "Selene has already handled the majority of the groundwork. It makes sense for her to be involved directly."
Becca's grip tightened on her pen.
The energy in the room shifted, eyes darting between the three of us.
And then Becca spoke, voice honeyed but sharp.
"Seems like the boss has a new favorite."
The tension thickened. A few people exchanged looks.
Lisa's voice cut through it. "Or maybe he just assigns work based on ability."
Becca's gaze flicked to her, lips curling slightly.
"Well," she said smoothly, "I just hope our dear Selene isn't too overwhelmed. Wouldn't want her to… fumble."
Lisa didn't react, but I could feel her steady presence beside me.
Charles, unfazed as ever, continued as if Becca hadn't spoken. "We leave Thursday morning. Have everything prepared." "
Before he left the room, he turned his head, without turning his body, but that icy glare was present as always, "And Becca, if you wanted to be assigned to such important tasks, try to focus more on getting the job I pay you for done rather than trying to instigate shit. If I were playing favorites, you wouldn't still be here. Why keep two people on a job just one person can do so well."
The meeting resumed, but the air never quite settled.
---
Later, when the office had quieted, I found myself outside Charles' office.
I knocked once before stepping in.
He was at his desk, reviewing a document, but he didn't look surprised to see me.
"You don't like surprises?" he asked without looking up.
"I prefer to be informed about my travel plans before they're announced in front of the entire team."
He set his pen down. "Noted."
Silence stretched between us.
I folded my arms. "Why me?"
He leaned back in his chair, studying me. "You're familiar with the Westfields. You've already handled most of the groundwork. It makes sense."
I exhaled through my nose. "Becca was supposed to go."
"She chose not to pull her weight. I chose not to reward that."
Simple. Direct.
I should have been satisfied with that answer. But the way he was watching me, the way the air between us felt heavier than it should have…
I shifted my stance. "And the rumors?"
His lips curved slightly. "Which ones?"
I gave him a look.
His smirk deepened. "I don't concern myself with office gossip."
Easy for him to say.
I tilted my head. "You realize this will only make it worse."
Charles pushed back from his desk, standing slowly. "Are you worried?"
I held my ground. "Should I be?"
He took a step forward. Not enough to be improper. Just enough that I could feel the shift in the air.
"I think you can handle yourself," he murmured.
The way he was looking at me—it was the same way he had in the club, before I knew who he was. A quiet intensity. A challenge.
I swallowed. "Is there anything else I should know about this trip?"
He tilted his head slightly. "Pack accordingly."
I exhaled. "You keep saying that."
His gaze flicked over me, lingering for half a second too long.
I turned before I could think too hard about what that meant.
As I reached the door, his voice followed me.
"Selene."
I paused.
His smirk was barely there, but it was unmistakable.
"Try to keep up."
I walked out before he could see the effect that had on me.
Lisa was waiting by my desk. She didn't say anything. She didn't have to. But anyways, she seems to be always by my station these days.
I sat down, pulled up my emails, and ignored the way my pulse was still racing.