The Weight of Glass
The Seattle air clung to Elena’s skin as she hurried toward Aethelgard Tech. On one hand, a cooling cup of coffee. On her hip, Maya, who was busy tugging at the pins in Elena’s bun.
“No, sweetheart. Mommy needs to look professional today.”
She said it lightly, but her chest felt tight. This job meant everything. The salary alone would change their lives. The benefits meant Maya could finally get proper dental care. Still, the glass tower ahead made her feel small.
She dropped Maya at the onsite daycare, a place so pristine it barely looked real. After hugs and a brief wobble of Maya’s lower lip, Elena smoothed her skirt and headed for the elevators.
The lobby was silent marble and white light. Security watched without watching. Elena felt the thrift in her tailored suit, the wear in her shoes.
The elevator opened.
Elena stepped inside. She froze.
A woman stood near the panel, tablet in hand. Tall. Charcoal suit. Silver-blonde hair cut with precision. She didn’t look up at first.
The elevator felt smaller.
“You’re the new administrative lead for development,” the woman said.
Not a question.
Elena blinked. “Yes. I’m Elena. How did you—”
The woman turned. Her eyes were sharp, unreadable. She looked over Elena once, calmly.
“I make it my business to know who works here,” she said. “I’m Vivienne.”
Elena’s stomach dropped.
Vivienne Aethelgard. CEO. Founder. The woman who built the company from nothing.
“It’s an honour to meet you, Ms. Aethelgard.”
“Vivienne,” she corrected, stepping closer.
Elena caught sandalwood and something sharper. Her breath paused.
“You look nervous,” Vivienne said. “Don’t be. I value resilience. Your background shows plenty of it.”
The doors opened onto the executive floor. Vivienne stepped out, then glanced back.
“Welcome to Aethelgard, Elena. I expect we’ll cross paths again.”
She walked away, heels measured and quiet.
Elena stayed in the elevator a second too long. Her pulse felt uneven. She had come here for stability.
She had not expected this.
The morning passed in passwords and procedures. Elena’s desk overlooked the Sound, grey water under low clouds. She focused on screens, but her thoughts kept drifting back to the elevator.
Around noon, a woman with a sharp bob approached.
“Elena? I’m Sloane. Ms. Aethelgard has requested your assistance this evening. Encryption rollout support. You’ll need to stay until eight. Daycare has been notified.”
Elena stiffened. “Tonight? I just started.”
“She asked for you by name,” Sloane said. Not unkind. Just factual. “Five o’clock. Her office.”
When she walked away, Elena stared at her monitor.
She needed this job. That was the truth.
But the weight of Vivienne’s attention lingered, steady and warm.
She thought of Maya downstairs. Then, of the way, Vivienne had said her name.
The contrast unsettled her.
