A Moment In Time

A Package

Grace's POV

The day ended as fast as it started. The first day at work wasn't as bad as I thought it would be.

I bid my boss goodbye and all I got in return was a stiff nod.

What the hell?

The moment I stepped out of the elevator I got dragged by Lisa to the coffee shop across the street.

I'm in no mood for coffee right now, I sit quietly beside her as she orders her coffee.

“Isn't it too late for coffee?

Give me some alcohol instead” I said with a grimace as the cups of coffee were brought to us.

"How was the interview?"

"Did you get the job?" she asked enthusiastically after taking a sip out of her black coffee.

"I don't think you should be asking me that right now, it's 6pm already" I replied feigning annoyance.

"Oh! Baby I'm sorry, I've been so busy today that I forgot to call you"

"I was surprised when I saw you coming out of the elevator," she replied, smiling and fluttering her lashes cutely at me.

She honestly knows ways to get me whenever I'm upset.

I chuckled slightly at her bashful act.

"I got the job and I started working right away" I replied smiling and a shameful blush creeps up on my face as I remember what happened between my new boss and I.

"Just be careful around him, he is known for his bad temper.

I avoid him in every way I can, I know you can't avoid him but be careful around him" she advised quietly, not noticing how I wasn't paying the least attention to her advice.

I got back home at 7pm, I spent almost an hour with Lisa. I don't mind spending the rest of the night with her but I need to wake up early tomorrow and I don't want to offend my new boss yet, there will be enough time for that in the future.

I need every single cent I can get right now.

I need to pay Mom's bills in a month.

I took a quick shower and crawled into bed after setting the alarm clock for 6 am.

"Good morning Lauren" I greeted the secretary cheerfully as I walked inside the office that I share with my arrogant boss.

I think I woke up on the right side of the bed today because I'm in a good mood.

I sat down quietly as I started sorting through some files.

It's been a week now since I started working here and nothing has been unusual except the fact my boss is not here yet, even though his workaholic ass is supposed to be now.

A knock sounded on the door disrupting my line of thought.

"Come in" I called out to the person knocking on the door.

Lauren walked in, an attractive smile on her beautiful face. If my boss also smiles like this I am sure working with him wouldn't be so draining.

"Mr Hyde won't be coming to work today because he went on a business trip to Utah" she informed in her calm voice.

"Oh!

"Is that all?" I asked, feeling a little bit annoyed at the information.

"He also said you will attend an event on his behalf this evening and you are free to take anyone as your partner there. This is the invitation card" she said and dropped an exquisite card on my desk before leaving the room.

Just like that! I screamed in my head.

I find it hard to digest all that I just heard from Lauren and anger started brewing inside of me like a tornado. People always seem to misunderstand my cute face as a cute personality.

I may look friendly but my fists aren't and I suddenly feel like throwing everything on my table across the wall but remembering that I will have to tidy up the mess stopped me.

For f**k sake I’m his personal assistant and I still have to hear about his whereabouts from the secretary.

And I still have to attend an event?!

He is seriously courting death right now, I have killed him a thousand times in my mind.

I tried to calm down as I picked up the invitation card.

I don't even know what I'm supposed to be doing there.

I dialed his number but it went to voicemail.

Wow! What a great boss you are Mr Hyde.

***

"Can I come in? I asked as I peeped through the door at Lisa's office.

"Yeah, come in sweetie," she replied, surprised by my impromptu appearance.

"Thank you" I replied as I sat down across from her.

"What is the matter? Why do you look so moody? She asked as she noticed my dull demeanour.

Slowly, I gave her the invitation card.

"This is my sole problem right now" I replied.

"I don't see why this is your problem right now, you need to explain further if you want me to understand," she said, worry evident in her voice.

"I have to attend that event this evening and I don't know what I'm supposed to wear or what I'm going to do there and Mr Hyde number is not going through no matter how many times I called" I confessed almost freaking out.

"Relax"

"You need to calm down, okay?

I nodded my head like a jellyfish as she stared at me.

“We will sort everything out okay" she said and I nod one more time not sure how we will sort it out or where to begin.

***

We left work at 3pm because Lisa wanted to help me prepare for tonight.

Thinking about attending that event alone is giving me the creeps and I'm a nervous wreck as Lisa chatter away endlessly as she drives towards my apartment in the cool afternoon.

Apparently she came to work in a cab and ended up driving my car home.

"Miss Grace, you have a package" The security guard said as soon as I came out of the car. He gave me a package and I frowned in confusion because I don't remember ordering anything.

Lisa and I exchanged a strange look as she opened the door to my apartment.

After discarding my formal clothes for more comfortable ones, I move to open the box but Lisa stops me.

"What if there is a bomb in there?" she asked as she looked at the box warily.

"What made you think someone would send a bomb to me?" I asked, chuckling at her scared expression.

"People get killed for no reason sometimes" she replied, still looking terrified.

"I honestly think you should reduce the amount of horror and thriller movies that you do watch" I replied as I opened the box and I became awestruck.

Sitting inside a large red box was a carefully folded garment.

I frowned briefly before picking it up.

“Wow,” Lisa exclaimed softly.

Hanging from my fingertips is a beautiful piece of work, the soft material brushes against my skin as I run a hand over it.

The blue ball gown is encrusted with diamonds, it has lace covering the chest area.

"There are also matching shoes" she exclaimed as she picked up a pair of pretty heels. That sat at the bottom of the box

I can almost imagine the pain I will feel wearing that.

"Well, I was not expecting this," she said quietly beside me, still entranced by the dress.

A card is sitting inside the box, I pick it up and a blush crept up my face at the content of the letter.