My gaze lingered a moment longer, fingers tighter around my bag like it could anchor me, chest rising and falling a bit too loudly, sitting stiffly on the chair seconds after I'd said 'goodbye.'
He stood first, "I'll drop you off."
I rose after him, trying to keep my tone light. "It's fine, I'll call a cab." I replied, already stalking towards the exit.
The rain drummed steadily against the roof above, blurring the neon lights. I waited, pressed close to the wall, just out of reach of the drops, willing a cab to appear.
Then he emerged behind me.
His driver appeared instantly with an umbrella but Mr Grand took it, holding it over himself before stepping closer to me.
"I'll drop you off," he said firmly, leaving no room for argument.
––––––
By the time we got to my resident, it had already stopped raining.
"You live here?" His eyes swept over the estate.
"Yeah… what's wrong with it?" My voice wavered, a little too breathless, a little too defensive.
He didn't answer right away. He just looked at me, weighing me up.
"Can I come in?"
"No." I started walking in, forcing my steps to feel casual, though my heart was hammering.
I turned back, caught in the magnetic pull of his gaze, and something in me surrendered.
"...Sure."
A small, smile tugged at his lips as he followed, quiet and unhurried.
I swung the door open before I even thought to check.
We both stepped inside, wide-eyed, and I froze. Spinning around, my face pressed to Mr. Grand's chest, a hot flush of embarrassment crawling over me. I thought he said he'd be gone before I got back.
"Teejay why are you sleeping naked on my couch?" I shot, irritated.
"I'm sorry, I can't sleep with my clothes on," he mumbled, half-awake. "Is this the friend you went to see? Valor Grand?"
Mr Grand's eyes didn't move from him and I could feel the force of twenty unspoken punches in that silent stare.
"Teejay, put your clothes on pleaseeee..." I started
Before I could finish, Mr Grand grabbed my arms, pulling me outside.
"Where are you taking her to?" Teejay called out.
As soon as we got out, I exhaled. "I'm sorry about that."
"Why is he in your apartment... naked?" Mr. Grand asked sharply.
"He just needed a place to crash," I explained.
"How often does he crash at your place?"
I shrugged. "Just today."
His gaze lingered, intensely.
"You don't believe me?" I asked, breathless.
"Get in the car, Zoey," he said firmly.
My eyes flicked between the car and him.
"My name is Zoey Blossoms... and I don't want to," I replied softly.
"I wasn't asking," he shot back.
"It's my house. I'll stay," I said, holding his gaze.
He searched my eyes. "When is he leaving?"
"Now." I replied calmly.
"Then I want to watch him leave."
I held his stare for a long moment, then finally started walking off.
By the time I got in the house, Teejay was fully dressed
"You're chilling with the big boys now," he said the second I stepped in.
I ignored him, heading straight to the tap to fetch myself a glass of water.
"He even followed you here," Teejay added.
I forcefully gulped down the water in my mouth, dropping the glass on the counter louder than I was supposed to, then strode to the door and held it open.
"See you at work tomorrow."
His gaze flicked between me and the door, then back again. "Is he gonna drop you off at work tomorrow?" His tone held a hint of dread.
I narrowed my eyes. "Give it a rest."
"I'm just looking out for you," he protested.
"I'm fine," I whispered, slamming the door as he stepped out.
Moving to the window, I adjusted it for some fresh air. Mr. Grand was still there, leaning quietly against the side of his car.
Teejay emerged, heading down the path toward the street. He and Mr. Grand held a long, tense stare before Teejay finally disappeared around the corner.
Mr. Grand's gaze flicked up toward my window one more time, and I pressed myself against the curtain, holding my breath. A second later, I peeked again, checking If he was still there, but he was already sliding into his car as they zoomed off.
Collapsing onto my bed, I let out a long, shaky sigh, today had really been one hell of a day.
–––––
"Surpriseeeeee!" everyone shouted the moment I stepped into the office.
I froze mid-step, eyes darting around. "Uh... okay, I'm confused. What are we celebrating?"
Mrs. Keene stepped forward, practically glowing. "Two weeks later, 'A Taste of Grand' is still topping charts across every platform and it's just been picked up by a glossy lifestyle magazine."
My jaw dropped. "Oh my God!"
"Speech!" she said, clapping. Everyone concured.
"No, I think you should do the honors," I tried to deflect.
"Come onnn," Teejay grinned.
"Don't be shy," Stacy added.
I sighed, stepping up. "Alright.. I just want to say a big thank you for letting me be there. You're not the best boss, but you're an amazing one, so thank you."
"Awwwwn," the room cooed.
Mrs. Keene's smile widened. "Thank you, Zoey Blossoms. One more thing, can you get Mr. Grand to come to the studio."
"How's she gonna do that?" Teejay jumped in before I could respond.
"There's a delivery for someone."Dana's voice cut in from the door as she stepped in. "What's the party?"
"Zoey Blossom's article is still topping the chart," Stacy answered, excited.
Dana simply rolled her eyes, scanning the label in the package. "I don't know who this is for but...Ohhh there's a note. 'Come with a recorder next time. –To Zoey, from Valor.'"
"Who's Zoey?" Stacy frowned. "What?" She practically snatched the package from Dana's hands when she finally realized.
"No way... this is the IGrand LX $8m Ultra Limited Edition." Her voice rose in surprise.
"Lies," Teejay said, already reaching to see for himself.
"Look at it," Stacy said, turning the box toward him.
"This could buy our entire building." Mrs. Keene murmured.
All eyes swung to me. My throat tightened, air catching somewhere between awe and panic. I swallowed hard, inhaled, exhaled and inhaled again.
Dana's eyes narrowed. Teejay's widened. Mrs. Keene's gleamed with something I couldn't place. Stacy looked like she might faint.
And me?
I was a whole rollercoaster.