Iris.
I stepped out of the elevator and into the lavish lobby of Asher Enterprises, my heart racing with anticipation and disgust. I had spent weeks planning this moment, perfecting my disguise, and rehearsing my cover story.
My name is Grace, and I am the new marketing assistant. Or so they thought.
In reality, I was an undercover journalist, determined to expose the dark secrets of the Asher family. And I am willing to do whatever it takes to bring them down.
As I walked through the office, I couldn't help but notice the opulent decor and the air of superiority that seemed to permeate every corner. This is a company that is used to getting its way, no matter the cost.
I spotted Kieran Asher, the CEO's son, standing by the window, his eyes fixed on me. But his gaze was cold, dismissive. He looked at me like I was nothing, a mere inconvenience.
"Welcome to Asher Enterprises," he said curtly, his voice dripping with disdain. "I'm Kieran Asher."
I smiled sweetly, playing the role of the eager new employee. "Nice to meet you, Mr. Asher."
Kieran's eyes narrowed, and he turned back to his conversation, dismissing me. I felt a surge of anger and hatred toward him and his family. They thought they were above the law, above morality.
But I knew the truth. I knew about the corruption, the embezzlement, and the lies. And I was here to expose it all.
I took a deep breath, pushing down my emotions. I had to keep my cool, had to play the role. But it was hard, oh so hard, to pretend to be something I'm not.
As I walked to my desk, I couldn't help but feel a sense of satisfaction. I was one step closer to taking down the Asher family. And I wouldn't rest until I had destroyed them completely.
I'm basically here to keep eyes on Kieran since he's my only route in taking down the whole family and also to gather more information from my so called Co workers.
I slid my chair closer to my nearby coworker, a friendly-looking woman with a warm smile.
"Hey, I'm Grace, the new marketing assistant," I said, trying to sound friendly and non-threatening.
She smiled and introduced herself, telling me her name is Emily. I took the opportunity to ask her some questions.
"So, Emily, can you tell me more about the Asher family? What are they like, and how do they run the company?" I started bringing out my pen and books to jot down informations.
Emily leaned in, a conspiratorial look on her face. "Well, they're definitely...interesting. Mr. Victor Asher is a bit of a, shall we say, 'character.' But Kieran, oh, he's a whole different story." She said
"What do you mean by 'character'? Is Mr. Victor Asher a difficult person to work with?"
Emily hesitated before responding. "Let's just say he has very high standards, and he can be quite... demanding."
"And what about Ki…Mr Kieran? What's he like as a boss?"
Emily glanced around the room, ensuring no one was listening. "Mr Kieran is... intense. He's very driven and expects a lot from his employees."
"That sounds challenging. How do you handle working with him?"
Emily shrugged. "You get used to it after a while. But sometimes, it can be overwhelming."
"I can imagine. So, what's the company culture like? Is it very formal?"
Emily nodded. "Yes, it's very formal. The Asher family values tradition and professionalism."
"That makes sense. And what about the company's values and mission? Are they aligned with the Asher family's personal values?"
Emily thought for a moment before responding. "I think so. The Asher family is very committed to philanthropy and giving back to the community."
"That's great to hear. Can you tell me more about the company's philanthropic efforts?"
Emily smiled. "Yes, of course. The Asher family is involved with several charitable organizations, and they're very generous with their donations."
"That's wonderful. And what about the company's financials? Are they publicly disclosed?"
Emily hesitated before responding. "I'm not sure. I think some financial information is publicly available, but I'm not sure how much."
"Okay, do you....." Another coworker, Alex, a charming-looking man with a mischievous grin, chimed in. "I think Mr. Kieran has gotten himself another crush."
I felt a surge of disgust at the idea. "Oh? And who might that be?" I asked, trying to sound neutral.
Alex winked. "None other than our very own Grace, here."
I felt a wave of revulsion wash over me. The idea of crushing on Kieran Asher, a man who represented everything I despised, was nauseating.
But I kept my cool, trying not to reveal my true feelings. "That's ridiculous," I said, trying to sound amused.
Another coworker, Jack, a jovial-looking man with a bushy beard, spoke up. "You know, Iris, you're asking an awful lot of questions about the Asher family. Are you some sort of detective?"
I smiled, trying to deflect his suspicion. "Oh, no, nothing like that. I just like to know who I'm working for." I said, realising my professional job is getting in the way.
Jack raised an eyebrow, looking unconvinced. "Well, just be careful what you ask around here. Some things are better left unspoken."
I nodded, taking his warning.
I couldn't shake off the feeling that something was off. It had been a few days since the new marketing assistant, Grace, started working at Asher Enterprises. She was beautiful, intelligent, and seemed to be fitting in well with the team.
But there was something about her that didn't add up. She seemed too perfect, too polished. And the way she looked at me, with a mixture of disdain and curiosity, it was like she could see right through me.
I pushed the thoughts aside and focused on the task at hand. I had a meeting with a potential investor, and I needed to make a good impression.
As I walked into the conference room, I spotted Grace sitting in the corner, taking notes. Our eyes met, and for a moment, I felt a spark of electricity run through my body.
I looked away, trying to compose myself. What was wrong with me? I didn't even know this woman, and yet, I couldn't seem to get her out of my head.
The meeting went well, and the investor seemed impressed with our proposal. As we wrapped up, I caught Grace's eye again, and this time, I didn't look away.
For a moment, we just stared at each other, the tension between us palpable. Then, she looked away, and I was left feeling frustrated and confused.
What was going on with me? I didn't do relationships, and I certainly didn't do office romances. But there was something about Grace that drew me in, something that made me want to know more about her.
As the day went on, I found myself glancing at her more and more, trying to catch her eye. But she seemed determined to avoid me, and I was left feeling like a fool.
It wasn't until the end of the day, when we were both leaving the office, that we finally spoke again.
"Hey," I said, falling into step beside her. "How's it going?"
She looked up at me, her eyes flashing with annoyance. "It's going well sir," she said curtly.
I smiled, intrigued by her prickliness. "Well, I'm glad to hear that," I said. "Maybe we can grab coffee sometime and discuss... office politics."
She raised an eyebrow, clearly unimpressed. "I don't think that's necessary," she said.
I chuckled, enjoying the challenge. "Oh, I think it's very necessary," I said. "I'll pick you up at 7 pm tomorrow."
And with that, I turned and walked away, leaving her looking frustrated and confused. But I knew I had planted a seed, and I was eager to see how it would grow.
I couldn't wait to see Grace tomorrow.
to heart. I smiled again, trying to appear nonchalant, and slid back to my desk.