CHAPTER SIX

~Nella~

My thoughts were abruptly interrupted by the gentle touch of Gray’s hand on my thigh as I glanced at him, smiling.

He must have been speaking to me for a while, but I hadn’t noticed.

“You’re here now, and all I want you to focus on is Lauren’s birthday party waiting for you at home,” he said with a warm, reassuring smile.

“Oh my God, I didn’t get Lauren a flower, and they must’ve already gone to bed. What should I do, Gray?” I asked, my voice filled with confusion and a hint of sadness as I covered my face with my hands.

"That's why you have me, babe," Gray said, his voice laced with confidence. "Take a look at the backseat."

I turned and was stunned by the sight of a massive bouquet of fresh, deep red roses sitting on the backseat.

Their beauty was almost overwhelming, and I couldn’t believe how thoughtful Gray had been.

He really was everything to me.

"I'm driving, babe, and it's late," he reminded me gently as I leaned forward, attempting to kiss him.

"Yeah, you're right," I smiled, glancing back at the flowers again. “But I owe you a big one."

We continued our drive, the car filled with the familiar rhythm of our favorite hip-hop songs.

When we finally pulled up to the house, I was taken aback to find everyone still waiting for me. My surprise deepened as I saw the artist still there, adding an unexpected touch to the night.

I apologized for arriving late, but the celebration was in full swing, and soon the atmosphere was filled with laughter and joy as we celebrated Lauren's eighteenth birthday in style.

Gray had to stay the night at my place—it was late, and everyone insisted it would be safer for him to sleep over. I had a surprisingly beautiful night, so much so that I almost forgot how stressful everything had been today.

When I finally opened my eyes the next morning, I was met with the sight of Gray's handsome face, his gaze fixed on me.

He was fully dressed, and the realization hit me like a wave—I shot up from the bed, my heart racing. I was late for work.

I glanced at my phone, and a jolt of panic surged through me as I saw the time: it was already past 7:20 AM.

“Oh my God, Gray…” I mumbled, stumbling out of bed as I hurried toward the bathroom.

“I tried waking you up several times, but you didn’t budge,” he called after me, his voice laced with concern. I barely registered it as I rushed into the bathroom, frantic.

By the time I finished, Gray was gone. He must have slipped out while I was in the shower, though I hadn’t heard him leave over the sound of the water.

In less than fifteen minutes, I was dressed and ready. It was a new personal record for speed—though the chaos of it all made the victory feel hollow. I was supposed to be at work by eight, but at least I was only going to be ten minutes late... if I was lucky.

I rushed downstairs, hoping to make up for lost time.

To my surprise, Gray was sitting on the couch, waiting. I’d assumed he’d already left.

“I was waiting to drop you off,” he said, standing up and moving toward the door.

I followed him, my heart settling slightly. “Thank you,” I whispered, my voice soft but sincere.

The relief was short-lived. We hit traffic, and by the time we finally arrived at the office, it was already 9:00 AM. It was the worst start to a morning I’d had in ages.

As I stepped out of the car, I froze. Just ahead of me, I spotted Roy—my boss—getting out of his car. The timing couldn’t have been worse.

Gray stepped out of the car too and waved goodbye. The look in Roy’s eyes told me everything. I had no idea how to explain why I was late or how to explain that my boyfriend had dropped me off.

But why was I even worried about my boyfriend dropping me off?

There was no company rule about how one should get to work. Still, I couldn’t shake the feeling of dread as I walked behind Roy and his assistant, my gaze fixed firmly on the ground.

Roy, the president of Elevé Cosmetics and the soon-to-be chairman of the ‘LW’ Group, was a force to be reckoned with. People greeted him respectfully as we made our way to the elevator, but I couldn’t muster the strength to look up.

“Use the stairs,” Roy ordered, his voice sharp as ever.

I barely had time to force a smile before he and his assistant stepped into the elevator.

“Make sure you get to my office before I do,” he added, just before the doors closed.

My heart sank. That was impossible. I didn’t even have time to process the order before I kicked off my heels and took off toward the stairs.

Fifteen stories. I had no chance of getting there before him. But I ran anyway, pushing my legs to their limits, determined to get there somehow. My lungs burned, but I refused to stop.

I finally reached his office door, breathing heavily and drenched in sweat. I paused for a moment, trying to catch my breath before pushing the door open.

“Amira, you can leave now,” Roy said, his attention still on the paperwork in front of him. His personal assistant, Amira, who was visibly pregnant, smiled softly and nodded her thanks before exiting the office.

As soon as she left, Roy’s gaze turned toward me, cold and calculating.

“And my coffee?” he asked, his tone businesslike, never looking up.

I could feel the heat rising in my cheeks, still panting from the sprint. “I’m sorry, sir. I’ll go get it,” I replied, forcing my voice to sound calm despite the chaos in my head.

A few minutes later, I returned with the coffee, offering a smile as I placed it carefully on his desk.

“Here is your coffee, sir,” I said, keeping my voice steady.

“Can I take my leave now?” I asked, my mind still racing, hoping he’d let me off the hook.

Roy took a sip of the coffee, then placed it back down with a frown.

“Too cold.”

My stomach churned. “I’m sorry, sir. I’ll get you another one.”

I grabbed the cup and rushed out again, fighting to keep my composure.

When I returned with the second cup, he tasted it and immediately scowled.

“It’s too hot.”

I stared at the cup for a moment, my hands trembling. I was nearing my breaking point. But there was no way around it. I had to keep going.

By the time I returned with the fourth cup of coffee, my legs were shaking with exhaustion. I could barely hold myself upright, but I handed it over to Roy, praying that this would be the last time.

He finally took a sip and nodded in approval. “Good,” he said briefly, turning his attention to the papers on his desk.

“Now,” he said, glancing up at me, “take this document and make copies for every manager. Deliver them personally.”

I blinked, unsure if I’d heard him right. This wasn’t part of my regular duties. Normally, I would just have the managers’ assistants pick up the copies. But after my late arrival, I knew I had no room to argue.

“Uh… I’m sorry, sir, but did you mean—”

“I’m sure you’re smart enough to understand what I mean,” Roy interrupted, his voice cold.

I swallowed my frustration and nodded. There was nothing else to do but comply.

I was going to face the consequences of being late, and I knew it.

As I swung open the door to leave, I collided with the tigress, her luxurious dress now marred by the coffee that splashed from my trembling hands. Her eyes flashed with fury, and I knew, in that instant, that my day was spiraling further into chaos.