A new beginning
1084 Words
The next morning, sunlight streamed through the curtains of Soraya's bedroom.
She slowly opened her eyes and stared at the ceiling.
The events of yesterday came rushing back into her mind.
Grandpa Harrison...
The Hale family...
The marriage promise...
She let out a long sigh and pulled the blanket over her face.
"I don't want to think about this so early in the morning."
After lying there for another minute, she finally sat up.
"No."
She shook her head.
"I'll think about it later."
There was no point letting one decision ruin her entire day.
She still had her own life to live.
She still had dreams to chase.
And right now, finding a stable job was more important than anything else.
With that thought, she got out of bed and got ready for the day.
When she walked into the dining room, her parents and grandmother were already having breakfast.
"Good morning," Soraya greeted with a smile.
"Morning," her mother replied warmly as she placed a plate of fried eggs in front of her.
Her father looked at her carefully.
"Did you sleep well?"
Soraya smiled awkwardly.
"A little."
No one mentioned the marriage.
Her grandmother quietly watched her before smiling gently.
"Eat first."
Soraya nodded.
She was grateful that everyone had decided to give her space.
The atmosphere soon returned to normal as they chatted about the eatery and the busy weekend ahead.
Just then...
Soraya's phone rang.
She glanced at the screen.
It was an unfamiliar number.
"Hello?"
"Good morning. Am I speaking with Miss Soraya Carter?"
"Yes, this is she."
"This is the Human Resources Department of Hale Group."
Soraya immediately sat up straight.
"We're pleased to inform you that you've successfully passed your interview."
Her eyes widened.
"Really?"
"Yes."
"You've been accepted as an administrative assistant in the Executive Operations Department."
"We'd like you to report to work this morning by nine o'clock."
For a moment, Soraya was too happy to speak.
"Thank you so much!"
"We look forward to working with you."
The call ended.
She stared at her phone before letting out an excited scream.
"I got the job!"
Her mother laughed happily.
"I knew you would!"
Her father couldn't stop smiling.
"I told you not to worry."
Even her grandmother's eyes lit up with joy.
"Your grandfather would be proud."
Soraya felt tears gathering in her eyes.
After weeks of searching...
She had finally found a job.
Maybe yesterday's bad luck hadn't been so bad after all.
She quickly finished breakfast and rushed upstairs.
"I have to get ready!"
"Don't run!" her mother called after her with a laugh.
---
Less than an hour later...
Soraya stood in front of the towering Hale Group headquarters.
The massive glass building seemed to touch the clouds.
She looked up in amazement.
"So this is where I'll be working..."
Her nervousness slowly returned.
She took a deep breath.
"You can do this, Soraya."
Straightening her clothes, she walked inside.
The lobby was even more beautiful than she remembered.
Employees walked confidently in every direction.
Everything looked professional.
A receptionist greeted her with a warm smile.
"Good morning."
"I'm Soraya Carter."
"I'm here to begin work."
The receptionist checked her computer before smiling.
"Welcome to Hale Group, Miss Carter."
"Please take the elevator to the fifteenth floor."
"Someone from Human Resources will be waiting for you."
"Thank you."
Soraya stepped into the elevator.
Her heart was beating faster with every passing second.
This was the beginning of a new chapter in her life.
When the elevator doors opened, a young woman greeted her.
"Miss Carter?"
"Yes."
"I'm Lily from Human Resources."
"Come with me."
Lily spent the next thirty minutes introducing Soraya to different departments, explaining company rules, and helping her complete the remaining paperwork.
By the end of the tour, Soraya felt much more relaxed.
"Everyone here is so nice," she thought.
As they walked down a long hallway, Lily suddenly stopped.
"Oh, that's right."
"The president likes welcoming new employees personally whenever he's available."
Soraya blinked.
"The president?"
Lily smiled proudly.
"Yes."
"President Adrian Hale."
Before Soraya could respond, the elevator doors at the end of the hallway slowly opened.
Several assistants stepped out first.
Behind them...
A tall man in a perfectly tailored black suit walked calmly toward them.
His expression was as cold and unreadable as ever.
The moment Soraya saw his face...
She froze.
"It can't be..."
It was him.
The man who had splashed muddy water all over her.
The man who thought she wanted his money.
The arrogant jerk from outside the building.
Her fingers slowly tightened around the folder she was holding.
"So..."
She whispered under her breath.
"He's the president of Hale Group."
Lily finished explaining the company rules before smiling.
"That's all for now. I'll take you to your department."
"Thank you."
The two women walked toward the main lobby.
Employees moved busily in every direction, some carrying files while others discussed projects as they walked.
Just as they reached the center of the lobby...
The atmosphere suddenly changed.
Several employees immediately stepped aside.
"Good morning, President Hale."
"Morning, President Hale."
Soraya looked up in confusion.
"What's going on?"
Lily lowered her voice.
"The president is on his way to a meeting."
Soraya instinctively turned toward the entrance.
Surrounded by two assistants, a tall man in a black tailored suit walked through the lobby with steady steps.
He didn't look left or right.
His attention was on the tablet one of his assistants was holding while they discussed the day's schedule.
Then...
As if sensing someone's gaze...
He looked up.
His eyes met Soraya's.
Both of them stopped for the briefest moment.
Soraya recognized him instantly.
"It's him..."
The man who had splashed muddy water all over her.
The man who thought she wanted his money.
At almost the same time, Adrian recognized her as well.
"The woman from yesterday."
Neither of them spoke.
For a second, they simply looked at each other.
Then Adrian calmly looked away and continued walking without stopping.
Within moments, he disappeared into the executive elevator with his assistants.
Soraya stood there, completely stunned.
Lily noticed her expression.
"What's wrong?"
Soraya slowly looked toward the closed elevator doors.
"So..."
"He's President Adrian Hale."
Lily smiled proudly.
"The youngest president in Hale Group's history."
Soraya didn't answer.
She could only stare at the elevator, wondering how the arrogant man she'd met yesterday had turned out to be the president of the company she had just joined.
- Writer
