Chapter 5: You Are Mine
Mr. Ethan's expression relaxed, and he gestured rapidly.
"Of course, my sweetheart. I get it, thank you. He took a profound breath on the off chance that he had been holding his breath for days. "Let's begin with this. Go to the company tomorrow and tell the CEO you're my girl and have accepted the work."
"Okay, Dad," Grace answered unobtrusively. There was no turning back presently.
The day after, Grace woke up early, her heart beating in preparation for what would undoubtedly be a depleting day. She paid specific consideration to her furnishing, choosing a proficient furnishing that would make her seem competent. But despite her rich clothing, her pressure was bubbling underneath the surface. She knew this wasn't fair work. It was a bargain, a compromise, with tall desires.
After a long minute, Grace stood at the front of Lucas Counseling Firm again. The towering glass building reflected the morning sun; her shadow fell quickly as she gazed at it. She gulped her fear, opened the entryway, and ventured inside.
One of the staff members, Emily, welcomed her considerately.
"Good morning. Can I assist you with anything?"
"I'd like to talk to Mr. Lucas," Grace answered in a firm voice. "I'm his new secretary."
Emily flickered but didn't ask any questions. "If you don't mind, go ahead. His office is on the beat floor."
Grace expressed gratitude toward her and headed for the lift. Her heart beat speedier with each floor she passed. Recollections of her experience with Lucas flashed through her mind—how he had brushed her off amid the meet and how pompous and condescending he had been. She braced herself for what was about to happen. She breathed deeply and thumped softly when she got to Lucas' office entryway.
"Come in," a recognizable, profound voice said from inside. Grace opened the entryway and strolled in.
Lucas sat behind his tremendous work area, his pose straight and forcing. As soon as she entered, he settled her with a penetrating look. His expression was as strict as it had been.
"You came here for an interview last week," he said instantly, his tone cold, "and I think I made it exceptionally clear to you simply couldn't get the work."
Grace took a significant breath and remained calm as she chewed on his words:
"I came through my father, Mr. Ethan. I'm his girl, and he told me you gave me the secretary's work."
Lucas' eyes flashed with affirmation, but his expression remained troublesome. “You're Mr. Ethan's young lady?" he said, looking her up and down. "You're nothing like him."
Grace gritted her teeth but remained silent, not knowing how to answer his words.
Lucas rose to his feet, his eyes still settled on hers. "Since you're here," he said pompously, "the work will start immediately."
Grace squinted in wonder." I thought I was required to appear myself today and begin work the next day," she said, taken aback. I didn't know I was going to start working quickly."
Lucas's see darkened, and his lips turned in a jeer. "What do you expect?" he replied. "Wandering around the lanes like a pointless human being?"
The brutality of his words hit Grace like a slap within the go up against, and for a diminutive, she was required to turn missing and take off the office. But she couldn't. She had, as of presently, made up her intellect. She took a significant breath and signalled.
"I get it, Mr. Lucas. "I'll get to work instantly," she replied calmly despite the turmoil in her judgement skills. "Can I help you with anything, sir?"
Lucas sat down once more and waved his hand. "I have a meeting to attend at four. Check my schedule and tell me what I should do before then."
"Okay, sir," Grace said, walking to the computer in the work zone.
She settled into her cutting-edge section. Lucas's voice cuts through the air again, solidifying her.
"Other than that," he said, observing her response, "You have got to pack your things from your father's house, and you'll live with me from this time forward."
Grace's blood solidified in her veins, and she turned to him, mouth marginally open in stun. She had anticipated the work to be complicated but did not quickly discuss living together. They had scarcely traded a word, and presently, he was talking about moving in already.
Grace's heart was beating, and she needed to shout at him for a minute. She needed to tell him she wasn't property to move almost openly. But she couldn't disregard why she was there; because of her father's bargain and the penances he had made for his family's future.
Still, she couldn't fairly acknowledge it without a word.
"Mr. Lucas," she started, her voice firm as she felt her heart beating. I agreed to take over as your secretary, but I'm not prepared to move in with you or talk about marriage—not, however.
Lucas limited his eyes somewhat but didn't contend. Instead, he gave her a long, cold look as if attempting to measure her up and decide whether she was worth the exertion.
After what felt like an endlessness, he finally talked once more. "Great. But you know, Miss Grace, you didn't feel fair coming here to be my secretary. You came here to be my spouse.
Grace stood still on the spot, confused by what he had said. She had come to the office, considering she might cope as his secretary. However, the weight of marriage was hitting her complex, and she didn't know how long she could keep her calm. All she knew was that her life had become much more complicated than she had envisioned.
"You have got to be able to attend to every work I ought to do within the office and in my home. I cannot go through the stress of calling you each presently to tell you to meet me wherever you want. So, you have got to begin living in my house," Mr. Lucas said.
"Besides, I ought to talk about it with my Father, to begin with," Grace said.
"Disregard your father, young lady. Your father did not have any say in this matter. I claim you presently, and I can do with you anything I need. Did your father not tell you the whole story," Lucas said mockingly.