Chapter 35

GRACE'S POV 

Lana snorted in support. Julia covered her mouth, shocked. I barked out another laugh, completely horrid. Yes, you shouldn't be laughing in horror, but in the hands of the creator, you can do absolutely anything you imagine. Craig's mouth was as wide as wide could be. 

“I absolutely hate you right now, Victoria.” Craig said, ears red as anything. He was more embarrassed than angry, that I could tell.

“You didn't hate her when you told you loved her when she was just a week into working here, Craig.” Lana attacked. It almost looked like she was going mic drop, except she just smirked. 

Craig, at that point, looked like a fish out of water, desperately trying to find water, mouth opening and shutting in the struggle to say something in retort. 

“What in the world?” Julia said, surprised. I was just as surprised. 

“You both have been cat and dog fighting since Victoria came in here all those months ago, and you're telling us that you actually like her?” I asked, trying to understand.

“It's just sexual tension that you've all been perceiving really. They are yet to do the do and release the tension. Seriously, what's happening between you two?” Lana added, glancing at Victoria and Craig.

“I don't like him!” Victoria gaped. Even she was shocked. 

“She doesn't like me, I don't like her. That's that, Lana.” Craig supported glaring at Lana.

Lana, on the other hand, chuckled like she found the entire thing amusing. She put both of her hands in the air, like she was surrendering. “Alright, whatever you say. But I bet a thousand dollars, 200 each, that these two will get married in the next 2 to 3 years. 1500 says in a year. Pick your poison.” She had a glint in her eyes, like she knew exactly how their story would turn out. 

“You can't be betting on a life that's not yours to orchestrate.” Craig countered. 

“Exactly. I'll take the bet, both of them.” Victoria said, silencing Craig. 

“No, don't do that! Why would you do that?” Craig whined, closing his eyes in frustration.

Victoria replied, “Only because I know how terribly she'll fail. And I love money, so why not?” 

Lana looked at the rest of us, silently urging us to join in. Well, urging is a very humble word for what her eyes were doing. She was actually threatening us without saying anything.

“I mean, why the heck not?” Julia gave in, throwing her hands in the air. 

“You better start sorting your 300 dollars for everyone here.” I told her, narrowing my eyes at her. 

Lana clapped once, then turned to Grey who looked like he was doing his hardest not to listen, but failing terribly.

He looked up and didn't say anything at first. A firmer look from Lana and he spoke. “I'm down for it.” 

Craig shook his head in resignation and sighed. “This is outrageous, absolutely outrageous.” 

“It's an amazing way to make money, honest money.” 

And honestly, I couldn't argue with her, neither could the rest. 

Work was the one place where I could forget about a lot of things. Not that it was so great all the time, but I could just blank out and work. I'd even forgotten that I was in another timeline and that Susan had cheated with my husband in the previous timeline.

“Grace.”

I blinked, snapping out of my thoughts.

Julia was looking at me expectantly.

“Yes?” I replied.

She asked, “Did you finish the report draft?”

“Oh, yes. I just need to review it once more.” I pointed at the document I was working on. 

“Good,” she nodded. “Send it to me when you’re done, please.”

I nodded back, and I turned to my laptop.

But even as I worked, I could feel it. I could feel that subtle awareness in the room. Everyone was, silently, pretending to fully focus on work, even though they were watching and still absorbing the events of the day.

Thirty minutes to the end of work, Craig broke the silence again, as expected.

“I’m bored.” He said, almost singing.

Victoria didn’t look up. “That sounds like a personal problem.”

“It is. And I’m sharing it.” He replied.

“No one asked you to though.” Victoria countered, fingers tapping her keyboard smoothly.

“I’m a generous person.” 

“You’re an annoying person.”

“Same thing.”

Julia sighed. “Can you two not start again?”

“I don't think we ever stopped,” Craig said proudly.

Lana spoke without looking up. “Craig, if you don’t have work to do, I can find something for you. We love you both together, just not when the sexual tension is still so much.”

Craig immediately sat up straighter. “I’m suddenly very busy, thank you very much.”

Victoria smirked. “Amazing recovery.”

The moment the clock struck 4 o'clock, Craig was the first one to stand up, cracking all the bones in his body. 

“Finally! I will see you witches tomorrow, hopefully.” He said, stuffing his laptop in his bag and strutting off as he whistled ‘Oh happy day' and occasionally threw a step or two. 

The rest of us followed slowly, one by one, arranging our bags and the documents on our desks. 

Grey didn't stand up immediately. He still worked on his computer as if he wasn't aware it was time to go home. 

“I know I basically ate every bit of you today, but aren't you going home, Grey?” Lana asked, throwing her coat over her shoulders. 

Grey looked up briefly. “I still have some things to do, but I'll be done in an hour.” 

Lana shrugged and grabbed her bag walking away, Victoria going along with her. 

“Aren't they going to, I don't know, lock up soon?” Julia asked as she put the strap of her bag on her shoulder. 

“I'll be done by then, they usually lock up an hour after the close of work. Besides, they always check every room before they do, so I'm safe either way.” Grey assured, giving her a tight and small smile.

I knew then that change was constant and certain