Rosamia: When Petals Speaks

CHAPTER 1 INTERNSHIP

The sliding glass doors parted with a soft hiss, and I stepped into the lobby of Dyson's Corporation, clutching the strap of my bag as if it were a lifeline. My heart pounded with every step across the marble floor. The place was enormous, gleaming pillars, polished tiles, and professionals who moved with confident strides.

Meanwhile, I felt like I was about to collapse.

“This is it,” I muttered under my breath. “First day of internship. Please, Althea, don’t embarrass yourself.”

I adjusted my ID badge and tried to calm my nerves. This wasn’t just a school requirement... it was my chance to prove myself.

“Hey, Thea!” I turned at the sound of a familiar voice. Relief washed over me when I saw Joaquin, slinging his bag casually over one shoulder, his grin bright as ever.

“You’re here too?” I asked, surprised.

“Different department,” he said, flashing his ID. “But at least I know I’m not alone in this building of corporate sharks.”

I laughed weakly. Trust Joaquin to lighten the mood. He’d always been that way, steady, dependable, my anchor when I felt like drowning.

“Good luck,” he said, patting my shoulder before heading toward the elevators.

I took a deep breath. “Okay, Althea. Let’s do this.”

The sales department buzzed with energy, phones ringing, keyboards clicking, charts pinned to every wall. Our supervisor, a sharp woman in a tailored blazer and heels that struck the floor like a metronome, gathered us interns in a small huddle.

“This is not school anymore,” she said firmly. “Here, you either perform or you don’t last. Do you understand?”

We all nodded, some more nervously than others.

By mid-afternoon, I found myself in a conference room, sitting in the back as the sales team pitched to a client. I expected to take notes, maybe pass around documents. But halfway through, the supervisor suddenly turned her gaze on me.

“You,” she said, pointing directly at me. “Why don’t you try convincing the client? Let’s see what you can do.”

“M-Me?” I said while my mouth went dry

The whole room looked at me. The client, a middle-aged man with sharp eyes, leaned back in his chair, unimpressed.

Panic surged inside me.

I wasn’t ready. What could I possibly say?

But then I remembered Joaquin’s words: You’ve always had this gift. Don’t waste it.

I rose slowly to my feet, forcing my voice to steady.

“You’ve already heard the technical details,” I began. “But let me tell you what this product really means.”

The client’s expression shifted slightly, his eyebrow raising. At least he was listening.

“This isn’t just another expense,” I continued, words flowing more naturally now. “It’s an investment in time. Imagine leaving the office earlier because your work is easier. Imagine spending that extra hour with your family. Picture your employees, less stressed, more focused, because their tasks are simpler. You’re not just buying efficiency...you’re buying peace of mind.”

The room quieted. Even the sales team stilled, watching me. The client’s frown softened; his arms slowly uncrossed.

By the time I finished, silence filled the room. Then, the man leaned forward, a faint smile tugging at his lips.

“No one’s ever explained it to me like that,” he admitted. “Let’s move forward with the deal.”

Gasps rippled across the room. My colleagues exchanged astonished glances.

Did… did I just close a deal?

The supervisor’s eyes lingered on me, sharp but approving. For a moment, I thought I saw her lips curve in the faintest smile.By the end of the day, the story had spread through the department

“The intern who closed a client.” My cheeks burned at the whispers, but inside, a spark of pride lit up. Maybe I could belong here after all.

As I stepped out of the conference room, I nearly collided with someone.

“Oh, I’m so sorry—” I froze when I saw who it was.

A tall man stood before me, dressed in a crisp white shirt and navy blazer. His dark hair was perfectly styled, his features sharp and striking. He carried himself with an ease that made people notice him without even trying.

“It’s all right,” he said, his voice smooth. His gaze locked onto mine. “You’re Althea, right?”

“Yes…?” My voice came out softer than I intended.

“I’m Cobe,” he introduced himself, slipping his hands into his pockets. “My father is the CEO.” He added. My stomach dropped. Of course. The CEO’s son. “I watched your presentation earlier,” Cobe continued. “You were impressive. Very impressive. It’s rare to see someone command a room like that.”

Heat crept up my neck.

“I-I was just doing my job.”

He chuckled, his eyes gleaming. “Don’t be modest. You have something different about you. The way you spoke… people didn’t just listen. They believed.”

I didn’t know what to say. Compliments usually slid past me, but his words carried weight, as if he saw more than I wanted him to.

“Anyway,” Cobr said with a charming smile, “I’d like to get to know you better. Perhaps coffee sometime?” He asked. My eyes widened.

Coffee? On my first day?

Before I could respond, my phone buzzed. A message from Joaquin lit up the screen.

Done for the day? I’ll wait for you in the lobby.

Relief swept through me. I glanced back at Cobe with a polite smile.

“Thank you, but I should get going. A friend’s waiting for me.” I answered

Cobe’s brow arched slightly, though his smile never faded. “I see. Another time, then.”

As I walked away, I felt his gaze linger on me. A shiver ran down my spine, not entirely unpleasant, but unsettling all the same. And deep inside, I couldn’t shake the feeling that this internship wasn’t just the beginning of my career… but the beginning of something much bigger.