Grayson Knightley

         RALI

It happened again. I woke up, having that strange sensation that someone had been here. In my room.

Sitting on the edge of my bed, I rubbed the back of my neck, my fingers grazing the faint sheen of nervous sweat that had formed.

I couldn't shake it off, even if it sounded insane. I could smell 'him' or her. I couldn't even tell. All I knew was that someone who wasn't Veronica was in this room.

It shouldn't be possible. The door was digital and only myself, Veronica and Ruby could scan it open.

Pulling the blanket tighter around my shoulders, I glanced toward the small table by the window and found the plate of fish pie Veronica had brought to me last night. My brows furrowed as I realized there was something different about it.

I'd only taken a few bites since Veronica insisted, but the size in front of me didn't look like what I'd remained from last night.

Slowly, I dragged my legs to the table, staring down at the pie without touching it. The difference wasn't much, but it was clear enough that the pie was smaller in size.

Veronica hadn't been to my room yet. So, how..

My hand habitually moved to the pendant around my neck, twirling the cool metal. I didn't even know I was doing it as it was a habit I'd grown into whenever I was anxious.

Not now, Rali... It's probably nothing. you're just overthinking. Besides, you have better things to worry about.

I convinced myself, then walked into the bathroom to wash up.

......

I really had better things to worry about. My boss had given myself and the other staff a task at the company—come up with a sketch that'll be good enough to win the heart of Vlyrissa Thorne.

Vlyrissa Thorne was the wife of the Governor-elect and she'd contacted the company I worked for—Fable and Fabric—for a dress for her husband's inauguration party.

It was an honor getting to make the dress of the First Lady of the state, especially as it was her first official party. It meant more exposure for my company, although Fable and Fabric was already quite big. But one could never get enough fame, could they?

Our boss had promised a good reward to the staff whose dress gets chosen, and well every one of us had been on edge. Such a 'good reward' could mean thousands of dollars—which was money I needed.

We'd submitted the designs four days ago and according to him, Vlyrissa Thorne had made her choice which he'd be revealing to us once we gather at the company this morning.

I'd been damn nervous. It wasn't merely about the money but also the act of winning. I loved winning such tasks.

Sure enough, the office was buzzing with excitement when I arrived.

I mingled briefly with my colleagues on my floor, discussing the big reveal we were all eagerly awaiting. The boss wasn't here yet, so the atmosphere was more boisterous than usual.

"Your shirt is new," someone said behind me, the voice sharp as a tack.

Even before I turned around, I already felt sick to the guts knowing who it was.

"Did you get it specifically for this purpose? Because you think you'll win and get to meet Mrs. Thorne today?" She finished the question when I turned away from my colleagues to look at her.

Big brown eyes, short blonde hair and big lips that never stop talking.

To others, she might be beautiful. But to me, she'll always be an ugly, envious manipulative bitch.

"If you need a new shirt, just say the word, Evie," I replied, exhaustion leaking into my voice as I crossed my arms.

She laughed. "Oh, green eyes. I'm just being concerned. That shirt looks like it must've cost a lot. I think it'd have been best if you had done something better with the money, because we both know you ain't winning this."

"And you think you are?" One of my colleagues lashed back before I could.

"Why, yes! I'm the best in this organization. But don't worry, I know y'all will rather stab yourselves to death than admit the truth."

I scoffed. "If self-delusion were a talent, you'd definitely win first prize."

Evie's lips parted in shock before she recovered. "I'm not delusional! You just think your green eyes and pretty face is always gonna make you lucky."

"Well, thank God I have a pretty face to rely on. What do you have? A bad attitude and no charm?"

Evie's eyes flared before she forced a smile. A Few colleagues stifled laughter behind me, and I didn't need anyone to tell me that must've hurt pretty bad. But Evie would rather chew stones than show she was hurt.

I honestly didn't know what the bitch's problem was. She came in six months ago and had been intentionally getting on my nerves. If I didn't know any better, I'd have thought I'd hurt her from previous years. Because of all the people in Fable and Fabric, I was the only one she saw as an opponent.

She opened her mouth and was about uttering more stupid words when the door opened, revealing the boss.

.......

Grayson Knightley. Grandson of the founders of Fable and Fabric, and currently the CEO.

My heart and that of eleven others beat violently in our chests as we stood in the open space office, waiting for Mr. Knightley to make the announcement.

He was done with the customary appreciation post and was on the verge of revealing the lucky staff.

"Ms. Blackwood," he called. "Congratulations. Your work was excellent and caught the eyes of Mrs. Thorne."

Applause erupted around me, but my heart sank like a stone in water. My stomach churned, and I clenched my jaw, trying to keep my disappointment from showing.

Ms. Blackwood. Evie Blackwood.

Oh, Christ!

"Yes!!!" Evie's voice rang out.

She stepped forward, twirling dramatically and doing a playful little dance.

"Thank you so much, sir!" She dipped her head to Mr. Knightley who responded with a smile.

Then, of course, she didn't forget to not look at me.

I rolled my eyes and looked away, but I caught the smirk she threw my way.

What a crappy day.

.......

Sure, Evie wouldn't stop singing her win to the ears of everyone, including the staff on other floors.

I tried as best as I could to ignore her and focus on my work for the day, but she sure made it difficult for me.

When I stopped by Grayson's office to drop some reports later in the day, he spoke to me with a certain softness in his eyes.

"I honestly thought she was going to pick your design. Actually, she'd been torn between yours and Evie's, and at a point, I even tried to encourage her to go for yours. But at the last minute, she chose Evie's. Just so you know, you're a pretty good designer."

I offered a warm smile. "Thank you, sir. Actually, it doesn't matter who she picked. The fact remains that she'd be working with Fable and Fabric."

"Yeah, of course." Grayson nodded, his gaze dropping momentarily. Then, with a slight hesitation, he said. "I'll be out of the country for a brief meeting tomorrow. How about we have, let's say, lunch or dinner sometime when I return?"

A lump made a vault into my throat.

Well... I wouldn't say I didn't see that one coming.

I'd been working here for more than a year now, and just like most men, my boss had always stared differently at me—different from the way he did to other staff.

Most times, when I made errors, he didn't scold me or get mad. Whereas, he suspended others for doing the same thing or less.

I guess the reason he's held back on asking me out was because of how slightly awkward it would be to have a workplace relationship. Turned out he was finally getting around it.

But I wasn't sure I was ready to keep trying. I was tired of putting my hopes up and watching them tumble down like a stack of Jenga blocks.

"That... would be nice, I guess," I said instead. I was definitely going to come up with a perfect excuse when it was time. I was done giving love a chance.

He smiled and nodded at me, and I slipped out of the office, releasing the tense breath I'd been holding.