Chapter 1
"That's a lot of food. What are you? A pig?" Richard Grant said, his eyes fixed on my tray. At lunch in the cafeteria, he didn't even bother to lower his voice.
As soon as he spoke, a few people nearby burst out laughing.
"No wonder she's always cozying up to the higher-ups."
"Big appetite, and thick skin to match."
Claire Reed stood next to Richard, stifling a laugh.
"Mr. Grant said that for your good.
"A girl shouldn't let herself get like this. It's not a good look," she said.
I said nothing, just steadying my tray.
That evening, at a business dinner with investors and local officials, Richard pointed toward the far corner in front of everyone.
"Emily Lane, you sit over there," he ordered.
I didn't move.
Richard shot me a condescending grin.
"You haven't earned the right to sit next to me," he said.
The whole room fell silent.
I looked down and texted my uncle. [Are you here yet?]
*****
I didn't reply when Richard made that crack about me being a pig.
Not because I wasn't angry.
It was just that I knew exactly what kind of guy he was.
The more embarrassed I got, the more he'd push. The more I let it show, the more he felt in control.
Sure enough, the moment I kept quiet, he only pushed harder.
He tapped my tray with the tip of his fork.
"Fried chicken, pepper steak, and a heap of mashed potatoes.
"Emily, you're temporarily transferred here, but you're acting like you've got the best of everything," he said.
The group at the table near the door burst out laughing.
"She's always cozying up to the higher-ups."
"They say the word, and she's already running. Of course she needs all that food."
"Yeah, how else is she supposed to have the energy to show off?"
"Look at her. She's just a temp, and she's already picking and choosing what she eats."
"She really thinks she's some kind of big shot."
Claire kept her head down, pretending to feel sorry for me. But she couldn't wipe that smug grin off her face.
"Emily, Mr. Grant's only saying this because he cares about you.
"Don't take it so hard," she said.
I stared at her and asked, "Do I look upset to you?"
Claire's smile froze.
Richard's face darkened.
"Claire, don't speak for her.
"Some people just don't know what's good for them," Richard sneered.
I slid my tray away, just in case he started spraying when he talked.
"Mr. Grant, am I still going to that dinner tonight?" I asked.
He narrowed his eyes at me. He didn't expect that.
"You're going.
"Why wouldn't you?
"I'll show you what your place is," he smirked.
One of the guys at the table by the wall clicked his tongue.
"Did you catch that?
"Looks like we're in for some drama tonight," he snickered.
Another guy immediately lowered his voice and chimed in.
"She writes a couple of reports and suddenly thinks she's somebody," he said.
I turned to look at them.
They shut up instantly. The smiles on their faces hadn't quite faded yet.
I turned back and asked again, "Do I still need to go to that dinner tonight?"
Richard let out a cold laugh.
"Of course you are.
"You think staying quiet makes this go away?
"Emily, I'm only going to say this once.
"If you want to keep your place in Riverdale, you'll behave yourself tonight," he warned.
I nodded.
Linda Lewis from the next table came over with her tray, lowering her voice.
"Don't let it get to you," she said.
I looked up at her. "I'm not letting it get to me," I replied.
Linda sighed. "Watch yourself tonight.
"The way Richard's acting, he's up to something."
I took a bite of my food. "I know."
Linda looked like she had more to say. But she just patted my shoulder.
"Why don't you just fake being sick and skip it tonight?"
I shook my head. "If I don't go, he'll think I'm scared. Besides..."
I looked up and smiled at her. "He's the one who said it, isn't he?
"He's been dying to teach me my place," I said.
*****
At 5:30 PM, Richard called me into his office.
He didn't even look up when I walked in.
"Don't say too much tonight," he said.
I didn't move.
He flipped through the documents.
"Bring the documents, serve coffee, and don't speak unless you're spoken to," he ordered.
I smiled. "Mr. Grant, so, who's sitting next to you tonight?"
He finally looked up. "Claire. Gotta give the younger ones more opportunities."
I looked at him. "So, she's young, and I'm not?"
Richard closed the file.
"Emily, are you just pretending you don't understand?
"You're just a temp here. Know your place."
I didn't answer. I just looked down at the papers on his desk.
Sure enough, my name was gone, replaced with Claire's.
I put my hand down on the page.
"Mr. Grant, who's going to present this tonight?" I asked.
"Claire."
"So, what about me?"
"You?"
He leaned back, a hint of a smile on his lips.
"Aren't you the queen of grunt work?
"Just pass out the documents, serve coffee, and chime in if someone asks.
"That's all you need to do."
I nodded. "Got it."
He thought I'd given in, and his expression eased.
"Good. Don't take yourself so seriously, Emily."
I turned and walked out. At the door, I stopped and looked back.
"Mr. Grant. Tonight, we'll see who matters."