THE SPACE BETWEEN US

Chapter 6

Grace's POV

It’s Saturday today, which means it’s a holiday for the development department, but the managers still have to work. Being one of the managers, I feel the pressure even on a day meant for relaxation.

I used to love Saturdays, but that’s no longer the case. There’s no reason for me to feel at ease on this day anymore. I’ve been working as an Assistant Manager for a while now, but God knows when I’ll start to get used to it.

The fact that Leo gets to enjoy his day off makes me envious. You know how perks come with promotions, giving you the pleasure of learning? I was promoted so quickly that sometimes I feel overwhelmed, losing my ability to try new things.

Another reason Saturdays feel strange is because of our CEO. His demeanor shifts to a serious one on this day. He’s the coolest during the weekdays. Mr. Stunsen is highly regarded for how he handles setbacks with positivity, turning every failure into a fruitful outcome. He’s the strongest pillar of Techs’, the person who has steered this company to such prestigious heights.

All the important meetings take place on Saturdays. Managers from different departments gather to discuss the company’s status and present it to our boss. We review critical deals and finalize contracts.

In the corridor of the grand meeting room, we managers often exchange opinions about why the boss behaves differently on Saturdays. Everyone has their own salty and sugary theories. One claims that since the boss is cool during the week, he might be venting his frustrations on Saturdays. Another jokes that he might just want to show his true colors on this day, saying, “Taking the optimistic mask off, bro.”

Nevertheless —He got fired for that.

He had to; we maintain a civil environment here, and his Lead Manager couldn’t tolerate the nonsense. He complained, and the guy was let go. Lead Managers have that power over Assistant Managers. But if the accusation turns out to be false, even the Leaders can face consequences.

Anyway, it’s not as if our boss yells through the office corridors. He mostly keeps to himself and only comes out for the most important events. We have a meeting today, but the agenda is still unknown.

I still haven’t run a brush through my hair; it remains tangled in my palm, adding to my sluggishness. I’m nearly dozing off on my pillow when my brother calls. I slide my finger across the screen to answer.

“Hey, assy, what’s up?”

“Shut up, fatass. How’s your bum doing?”

“What kind of greeting is that? Is it really so hard to ask a simple ‘How are you?’”

“Come on, Dad, take a chill pill,” my brother interjects, addressing our dad.

“How are you doing? Why haven’t you contacted—” Before my dad can finish, the call drops.

My phone is getting old, and it’s high time I get a new one. A colleague even suggested that when she couldn’t reach me to inform me about a situation at the office.

I sigh and get off the bed, leaving a message in our family chat to let them know I’m busy for the day and will call them after my schedule ends. I stuff the last piece of pancake into my mouth before heading out.

As I step onto the bus, I notice the driver looking at me the same way he did earlier this week. What now?

“When are you going to pay?” Before I can protest, I hear the sound of the payment machine accepting my card.

“I’ve paid for her too; I know where she has to go,” I hear Jeffy say from the front. My lashes flutter as I take in the unexpected gesture.

I head towards the back of the bus, reviving my consciousness and sit at the front seat. I have my card; then what the freak just happened right now? Is the driver drunk or what?! And why does Jeffy have to pay for me? I didn’t ask her to do that, did I? I am not a very big fan of unasked favors. Uuhhhh!!!!

And that gives me news that Jeffy has already shifted near my place. Awesome!

My stop comes, and before I step out, I call out for the driver and raise my right hand to display my card for him to know I have it. “Are you on your period?” I don’t wait for any response, nor do I look back to examine his expressions. This driver is getting on my nerves, and I had an urge to inform him regarding the same.

All of us wait for the boss to arrive at the meeting room. All the Lead and Assistant Managers are discussing their tasks while I do my own work on the laptop. I have no one to talk to... wish I could have one...

Mr. Stunsen steps in, and a vacuum of silence fills the room. Everyone corrects their posture. The amount of respect this man commands is immense.

“Good morning, folks!” he manages to lighten the tense environment. We greet him back in unison. “I’d like to inform you all about the new strategies the team has come up with to smooth out our work, as I’ve been looking into the issues of our managers feeling pressured by the workload lately. To continue our growth, we need to ensure every employee feels comfortable with their working schedule.” He’s so considerate.

He continues to speak while we take notes. Progress reports are exchanged, and now it’s time to clear out this crowded hall.

As I reach for the knob of my cabin door, I hear faint noises coming from inside, almost inaudible, but I can hear it as someone calls my name. “Grace.”

Flashback

(Texts)

Trace: Hey

Me: How are you doing?

Trace: Huh

Me: Now is it that hard for you to answer this simple question?

*(Seen)*

‘And successfully ignored’

End of Flashback

I turn around, trying to shake off the memories, only to find Mr. Stunsen standing between me and the man beside him. “Grace, this is Trace Thompson, the Lead Manager of the web development department. And Trace, she’s Grace Montess, the Assistant Manager of the same department as you. Grace, I’d like you to share with him whatever we discussed in the meeting hall, please, and help him if he gets stuck somewhere. Welcome to the company, Mr. Trace. Umm... now I’ll get going.”

None of his words seem to register as my eyes remain fixed on Trace. I scan him, taking in his familiar forehead and hair—details that bring a rush of memories. How could I not recognize him? He hasn’t changed his hairstyle since then. Both of us lock eyes, shock clouding our expressions as all the memories, or rather texts, flood back.

Trace steps closer, and I instinctively raise my palm and step back. “Grace… how have you been?” His voice, polite yet shaky, catches me off guard. This is the first time I’ve ever heard his voice.

“Good. Thanks,” I manage to say, quickly placing a file on his table. “This is what we discussed earlier. I have something to discuss with the boss, so I’ll get going.”

I leave the room with my head hung low, my thoughts swirling as I head to the washroom. I cover my mouth with a handkerchief to muffle my voice. Tears stream down my cheeks as I let my emotions spill out at the wrong place. He shouldn’t have been here.

---

Trace's POV

She’s here. How is this possible?

I realize the cabin door is still open and shut it quickly. Grace...

She’s gorgeous.

You’ve got me addicted again.

Again?

It never stopped.

Just that you don’t know...

~~~