A different side
1314 Words
The days that followed settled into a comfortable routine.
Every morning, Soraya arrived at Hale Group a little earlier than everyone else. She would organize her desk before Mia arrived with two cups of coffee in her hands.
"You know," Mia said one morning as she placed a cup on Soraya's desk, "one day you're going to owe me a month's salary just for coffee."
Soraya laughed.
"I'll pay you back with lunch."
"Deal."
It quickly became a habit.
They worked together.
They took lunch breaks together.
They even left the office together whenever they finished at the same time.
More than once, other employees joked that they looked like sisters.
Soraya didn't mind.
Having Mia around made working at Hale Group much easier.
...
Later that afternoon, Soraya was making copies of several meeting documents when Mr. James walked over.
"Soraya."
She looked up.
"Yes, sir?"
"These files need to be delivered to the Archive Department."
"I'll take them."
She collected the files and headed toward the elevator.
The executive elevator opened just as she reached it.
Adrian stepped out with two senior executives behind him.
The executives continued discussing a project while Adrian listened quietly.
Soraya immediately stepped aside to give them space.
"Good afternoon, President Hale."
Adrian looked at her.
"Good afternoon."
That was all.
He continued walking with the executives without stopping.
Soraya also continued toward the archive room.
Everything happened so naturally that neither of them gave it much thought.
From a short distance away, Mia happened to witness the entire scene.
When Soraya returned a few minutes later, Mia rolled her chair closer.
"Can I ask you something?"
Soraya smiled.
"You already look like you're going to ask anyway."
Mia laughed.
"I've noticed something."
"What?"
"The president always answers your greetings."
Soraya blinked.
"So?"
Mia rested her chin on her hand.
"You've been here for a while now."
"I've greeted him twice."
"He only nodded."
"But when you greet him..."
"He actually speaks."
Soraya looked genuinely confused.
"I never noticed."
"I'm serious."
Mia lowered her voice.
"He's polite to everyone."
"But he rarely says more than a nod."
Soraya shrugged.
"Maybe he was just in a good mood."
Mia narrowed her eyes.
"Hmm..."
"What?"
"I still think there's a story you're hiding."
Soraya laughed nervously.
"You're imagining things."
"Am I?"
Before Soraya could answer, the office phone rang.
Mr. James called from his office.
"Mia, Soraya."
"Could you both come in for a moment?"
The two friends exchanged glances before standing up.
"Let's go."
Inside the office, Mr. James handed them a folder.
"The president has requested that the Executive Operations Department prepare the files for next week's board meeting."
"It's an important project."
"I want both of you to assist me."
Soraya accepted the folder.
"We'll do our best."
"I know you will."
As they left the office, Mia couldn't hide her excitement.
"Our first major assignment!"
Soraya smiled.
"We'd better not make any mistakes."
"Oh, we won't."
Mia confidently linked her arm with Soraya's.
"We're a team now."
Soraya laughed softly.
"A team."
Neither of them realized...
That over the next few days...
This assignment would give Soraya more reasons to cross paths with Adrian than ever before.
The board meeting was scheduled for the end of the week.
Because of its importance, the Executive Operations Department became much busier than usual.
Every report had to be checked.
Every document had to be arranged in the correct order.
Not even a single page could be misplaced.
For Soraya, it was the busiest few days since joining Hale Group.
Thankfully, Mia stayed by her side through it all.
"If we survive this week," Mia joked as she stretched her tired arms, "I'm treating myself to the biggest slice of chocolate cake in Aurora City."
Soraya laughed.
"Only yourself?"
Mia gasped dramatically.
"Oh, you're coming too."
"I almost forgot."
The two girls burst into laughter.
Several coworkers smiled as they listened.
The cheerful atmosphere made the long hours much easier.
...
Late that afternoon, Mr. James walked out of his office carrying a thick folder.
"Everyone, excellent work."
A few employees sighed in relief.
"But..."
The relief disappeared immediately.
"There are still a few documents that need President Hale's signature."
He looked around the office.
"Mia."
"Yes, sir?"
"Take these upstairs."
Mia had just opened her mouth when the office phone rang.
She answered it quickly before covering the receiver.
"It's Finance."
"They need me immediately."
Mr. James frowned for a moment before turning to Soraya.
"Can you go instead?"
Soraya nodded without hesitation.
"Of course."
She carefully accepted the folder.
"I'll be right back."
"Thank you."
...
A few minutes later...
She stood once again outside the president's office.
She knocked gently.
"Come in."
She slowly pushed the door open.
Adrian was standing beside the large window, speaking on the phone.
When he noticed her, he gave a small nod, silently asking her to wait.
Soraya quietly walked in and stood near the desk.
She looked around the office while waiting.
It was just as neat as before.
Every file was perfectly arranged.
There wasn't a single unnecessary decoration.
The office felt... quiet.
Almost lonely.
A minute later, Adrian ended the call.
"I'm sorry for keeping you waiting."
"It's alright."
She placed the folder on his desk.
"These need your signature."
He opened it immediately.
As he signed each page, Soraya stood quietly nearby.
The silence between them wasn't uncomfortable anymore.
It was simply... silence.
After signing the last document, Adrian handed the folder back to her.
"Thank you."
"You're welcome."
She reached for the folder.
Just then...
One loose sheet slipped out and floated onto the floor.
"Oh!"
Soraya quickly bent down to pick it up.
At the exact same moment, Adrian reached for it too.
Their hands accidentally touched.
Both of them froze.
Soraya immediately pulled her hand back.
"S-Sorry."
"It's fine."
Adrian picked up the paper and handed it to her.
"There."
"Thank you."
She avoided his eyes as she placed the paper back into the folder.
For some reason...
Her face felt slightly warm.
She wasn't embarrassed because he was handsome.
She was simply embarrassed by the awkward situation.
Adrian noticed her discomfort.
Without saying anything, he walked around his desk and opened the office door for her.
"You should get those back to your department."
Soraya smiled politely.
"Right."
"I'll excuse myself."
As she stepped out of the office, she finally let out a small breath.
"That was awkward..."
...
When she returned downstairs, Mia was already waiting.
"There you are!"
Soraya placed the signed folder on Mr. James' desk before walking back to hers.
Mia immediately rolled her chair closer.
"How did it go?"
"Fine."
"That's all?"
"He signed the documents."
"And?"
"And... one paper fell."
Mia blinked.
"Then?"
"Our hands accidentally touched while picking it up."
For a second...
Mia simply stared at her.
Then she burst into laughter.
Soraya covered her face.
"It wasn't funny."
"It was a little funny."
"Mia..."
"I'm sorry."
She tried to stop laughing.
"I just imagined both of you bending down at the same time."
Soraya couldn't help laughing too.
"You really laugh at everything."
"I know."
The office gradually became quiet as everyone packed their things.
Outside the window, the evening sun painted the sky a soft orange.
Soraya looked at the city below.
She had only been working at Hale Group for a short time.
Yet somehow...
Life had already changed more than she ever imagined.
She had found a friend she never expected.
She had a job she genuinely enjoyed.
And somewhere inside the same building...
Worked the man who was supposed to become her husband.
She still didn't know much about Adrian Hale.
But one thing was certain.
Every time they crossed paths...
The distance between strangers grew just a little smaller.
Even if neither of them realized it yet.
- Writer
