Page 103 of Wasted Grace

The scent is too floral. The hair—wrong length.

What the hell?

I push back gently to see Gitika. My executive assistant.No—the assistant forallthe senior partners. Her eyes are watery, her hands lingering on my arm.

“Oh god. You’re back. You’re okay,” she says breathlessly.

I step back quickly, plastering a polite smile on my face. “Thanks, Ms. Gitika. Yeah. I’m... fine.”

From the corner of my eye, I see Dev quietly retreat to his office. I wish I could do the same.

Then I feel it.

A stare.

I glance sideways—and there she is.

Greesha. Watching. Silent. Her face unreadable, but her eyes... they’refire. She’s trying to keep it together, but I see it. The sting.

The jealousy?

I turn back to Gitika, trying to shift fast. “Do you have those reports I asked for, last Thursday?”

She flinches at the abrupt tone but nods. “Y-yeah. You’ll have it in ten.”

“Great.”

I nod and almost make a run for it. Gitika has never hugged me before. Let alone feel so passionate about me returning from a leave. I guess me getting shot has everyone a bit emotional.

But I’m not stupid. I clearly see the signs now, even when they’re subtle. Andthiswas not subtle.

She’s never been this unprofessional before. But I know it’s not going to be her last attempt, given the tiny expectant smile creeping up her face as I walk away.

Fuck my life.

I make my way to my office and Greesha follows.

She shuts the door behind her. I barely sit down when I feel it—that scalding heat in her glare.

What did I do now?I think, frustrated.

I try to pivot. “Hey! Maybe we should ask your team to arrange some physical security for the targeted institutions. Mehul might not succeed but... just a layer of—”

“Perhapsyour executive assistantcan send over the updates soon. Because she’ll tell you we don’t need more security,” she cuts me off with a smirk, “since she seems soinvested.”

My jaw ticks. “She’s notmyexecutive assistant. She supports all four senior partners.”

She says nothing. But I can see the war in her eyes. That itch.

I try to keep my thoughts to myself. This sounds absurd but she seems pissed as though she’sjealous. It doesn’t give me the hope I thought it would. Instead it makes me think is that I’m causing another issue by not addressing the lack of Gitika’s professionalism.

I’m about to speak up when I hear a knock on my door. Gitika?

I sigh.

But instead of just a smiling Gitika,Virajenters right after her. Dressed like he’s ready for battle somehow.

Hell!This is going to be a long fucking day.