Chapter4
731 Words
The Donovan & Pierce Law offices took up the top three floors of a tall, shiny building in the busy money part of Manhattan. Ella got out of the taxi, looking up at the tall glass building that seemed to touch the clouds.
Her heart beat fast as she went through the spinning doors into a lobby that shone with marble and polished brass. A guard told her which elevators to use for the law firm, and a few moments later, she was walking into a front desk area that screamed money and power.
The place was decorated in blue-gray and warm brown colors, with huge windows showing a big view of the city. Weird art hung on the walls, and the firm's name was shown in simple silver letters behind the front desk.
Ella smoothed her skirt, suddenly feeling not fancy enough even though she'd tried hard with how she looked. She went up to the front desk where a perfectly dressed woman sat typing.
"Good morning," Ella said, trying to keep her voice steady. "I'm Ella Sterling." Today is my first day as a junior lawyer."
Before the woman could answer, a man in his mid-forties came over, handed out. He wore a perfect dark blue suit, his partly gray hair making him look important.
"Ms. Sterling?" he asked with a warm smile. "I'm Peter Donovan, HR Director. We've been waiting for you."
Ella shook her hand, happy to be greeted so fast. "Thank you for this chance, Mr. Donovan. I'm very excited to join the firm."
"Peter, please," he insisted, waving to her to follow him. "We use first names around here, though our clients would never know it." He winked like they shared a secret. "Let me show you around before I take you to your office."
As they walked, Peter pointed out different parts of the office, introducing Ella to people they passed in the hall. The firm was bigger than she'd thought, with special teams for business law, court cases, idea rights, and more.
"And here's where our junior lawyers usually start," Peter said, leading her into an open area with several glass offices around the edges. "You'll have your own space, but we like people to work together, especially our newer people."
Ella was about to answer when the front desk lady's voice came over the speakers: "Attention all staff, Mr. Green has arrived."
The mood in the office changed right away. People straightened papers, fixed their clothes, and sat up taller. Peter's body language changed too, getting more formal.
"Ah, perfect timing," he said quietly. "You'll get to meet our main partner."
Ella followed where Peter was looking, toward the main door, where a tall person had just come out of the elevator. Even from far away, the man grabbed attention. He moved with the sure steps of someone who knew exactly how much power he had.
As he got closer, Ella felt a weird flutter in her chest. He was very good-looking—dark hair neatly fixed, a strong jaw, wide shoulders perfectly fitted in an expensive dark gray suit. But it was his eyes that caught her notice—sharp gray with a look that seemed to cut through everything in his path.
Their eyes met for a quick moment as he passed, and Ella felt a strange jolt, like touching an electric wire. She quickly looked away, bothered by how she reacted.
Stay away from that one, she told herself. He looks smart but cold. Distant. The last thing you need is to get involved with someone at work, especially someone who pretty much owns the place.
But as he turned to talk to another lawyer, Ella saw the back of his head, and something clicked like she'd seen him before. Something about him seemed weirdly familiar, though she couldn't figure out why.
"Do I know him from somewhere?" she whispered, more to herself than to Peter.
Peter raised an eyebrow. "That's Avalon Green, main partner and owner. Trust me, if you'd met him before, you'd remember. He tends to make quite an impression."
Ella nodded without really thinking, still trying to explain why he seemed familiar. The memory danced just out of reach, really annoying.
"Come on," Peter said, breaking into her thoughts. "Let's get you set up in your office, and then I'll introduce
See you properly later."
- Writer
