23.

"Hahaha," I found myself laughing instead saying a direct answer. It's not like I had a good answer for her anyway, at least not the answer she would like to hear. "Erin, why are you getting so emotional on such a good day?" I said squeezing her hands and Erin looked at me with a smile and so much hope in her eyes that I wanted to look away. "Come on, let's do our best today. And after work, we can go out like you wanted. My treat."

Erin's smile faltered a bit but she nodded anyways. "Okay. I get to choose where we go to."

"Sure. Let's get back to work," I said opening the door and we both got out together.

"You know what?" I said, turning to look at Erin. "I think I need to go to the bathroom real quick. Why don't you go ahead and I will catch up in a few minutes?" I said to Erin.

"Sure," She answered in a low tone.

Without waiting another moment, I rushed in a different direction, going straight to the ladies' room. When I entered. I put the file by the sink and stared at myself through the mirror.

Now that I look at myself, I think I rather look kind of lame, from my boring clothes, bare face and lack of a good hairstyle, it's no wonder no one had noticed me until now. Except maybe for Declan. Then could it be because he likes me?

I really need to work on my looks.

I thought about how immaculate the boss looked along with her personal secretary and as a manager now, I need to look better than I do now.

I will have to go shopping later and even buy some skincare products.

I am not totally bad looking. With a few touches, I will be able to look as good as Miss Gabrielle and Miss Jennings.

About that, I will also think about who will be my assistant. And it has to be someone half as smart and good looking. But it can't be Erin.

I can't believe she is hoping for a promotion to fall into her lap just because we are friends when she doesn't work half as hard as I do.

What am I supposed to do now? Getting this promotion was not easy but it was certainly well deserved. And because of that, I am not going to let it go so easily. Even if I had to cut a few ties.

With that determination, I picked up my file and walked to my department, but as soon as I entered the department, I could feel that the atmosphere was a bit different.

I could feel goosebumps all over my body, at the same time, it felt like everyone was staring at me.

The office was a bit quiet except for a few whispers here and there.

Did something happen? I wondered to myself.

"She's here."

"It's her isn't it?"

I heard some of the whispers.

I looked around and sure enough, they were all looking at me.

What's something wrong with my appearance.

"Look how boring she looks. No wonder I never noticed her," someone said, making me feel extra conscious.

Instead of standing there and being the center of their attention, I decided to go to my cubicle to start packing my stuff.

My legs had only started to move, but someone stopped me.

"Hey!" the voice shouted at me and it was none other than Christine. I turned to face her and she stood there with two other girls beside her, all of them wearing angry expressions, and I wondered what I did to warrant such. "No wonder you looked and everyone else like they were beneath you. You were always so quiet like a fucking mouse, but who knew you had such dirty tricks up your sleeve?" Erin sneered at me, her eyes glaring daggers at me.

"What do you mean? I don't really get what you are talking about."

"Huh," Erin snorted. "You are going to act all innocent right now, aren't you? And what is that file you are holding. It's the file isn't it?" Christine took two steps forward, and I took three steps backward, clutching the file to my chest.

"This file is none of your business."

"The guts of her," one of Christine's friends snnered at me.

"You snatched away the promotion meant for Christine and Declan and now you are trying to act all innocent."

"I swear it's not like that."

"Like he'll it's not," Christine continued. "Everyone in this office knows that this project was for the two of us. We even worked out asses off to make it happen. Yet you think you could take it away from us?"

"Worked for it my ass," I stated. "Then do you say I do not deserve it? Everyone knows you don't do shit I this office. Instead you go around flirting with the guys to get your work done for you!" I said and the three of them let out gasps. I could hear the other onlookers also gasping, but then, I wasn't about to let Christine humiliate me in front of all these people.

"You b*tch!" Christine was livid as she raised her hands and lurched towards me. I flinched stepping backwards, ready for what was to come when someone grabbed me shoulders from behind, moving me out of the way.

"Stop making a fool out of yourself Christine," Declan's voice came from behind me as he held me firmly, my back against his body.

Christine was still lived as she breathed heavily, looking at Declan.

"Declan. That b*tch stole our positions. How could you act like I am the bad person here?"

"Then would you say that she slept around to get the position? Would you say that the company is unjust? Or would you rather say that you are more qualified for the job than her?" Declan said coolly.

"B-but, Declan. How c-could you," Christine stuttered, getting teary.

"Kim did nothing to you Christine. So I suggest you leave her alone."

Putting his arm over my shoulder, Declan pulled me away from there, leaving a speechless but angry Christine behind.

Declan walked me to a secluded area near the cafeteria.

"Declan, I... Thank you for looking out for me. I know you too must feel bad about this whole thing. This position was given to me. But I swear I did nothing bad," I found myself blabbering.

"Hey, it's okay. I am sure you were just as surprised," Declan said, and I nodded, looking at him.

How could he be so calm and collected about the whole thing. Then, he must be a good person right? Or does that mean he actually likes me?

"I hear that the position of your assistant is vacant and the boss didn't write a name over it."

"Huh? Uhm, yes." I blinked twice. I realused that Declan's eyes were on the file I was holding, and I clutched the file tightly.

"Then, I hope you make a good choice for your assistant then," Declan winked.

"Yes, sure. I will."

"See you around then boss," Declan made a salute with his two fingers before he turned and left.

How did Declan know that information? I had only shared it with one person. Confused, I turned to leave when someone stopped me. If I am not mistaken, it would be Noah Baker, one of the team members for the project.

"Hi," he greeted briefly.

"Hey."

"Mr. Sanders wants to see you in his office right now." Noah Baker said and left.

Mr. Sanders? Does he want to see me concerning the promotion?

I went to his office and with one knock, I was given permission to enter.

I put on a polite smile as I entered, about to greet him, only to be met with a hostile gaze.

"So you are the girl?" Mr. Sanders looked at me with disdain. "Well I can't deny that you have worked hard since joining this establishment. But are you sure you are good enough for this task?"

"Yes sir," I replied confidently.

"Hmph!" Mr. Sanders let out. It was as if he wanted me to say the opposite. "Then as you know, this position was meant for someone else. But you got it instead. Luckily the position of assistant is free and you can choose. You don't have any one in mind do you?"

"No, I want to think about it for a bit," I replied.

"I have a suggestion for you. He is very hard working and will ensure that this work runs smoothly," Mr. Sanders said, and it sounded more like an order than a suggestion.

"But..." I started to say but he cut me off

"I am going to supervise the entire project. And I think it will be suitable if you picked Declan Dean as your assistant. What do you think?" Mr. Sanders said, and I knew it was nothing less than a threat.