Chapter 1: The New Hire
789 Words
"Every love story starts somewhere. Ours started with a name on an attendance sheet."
"Congratulations, Jade. You're hired."
Those three words were enough to make me smile from ear to ear. After weeks of sending resumes and attending interviews, I finally got a job. I took a deep breath as I looked at the huge retail store standing in front of me. It wasn't my dream job, but it was a start.
A fresh start.
"Good luck," I whispered to myself before walking inside.
The store was already busy even though it was only eight in the morning. Customers were everywhere. Employees in blue uniforms walked from one department to another, carrying boxes and greeting shoppers with practiced smiles.
I suddenly felt nervous. What if I messed up? What if I can't fit in? A woman wearing a company ID approached me.
"You must be Jade?"
"Yes, ma'am."
"I'm Denise from HR. Come with me."
I followed her through the employees-only hallway until we reached the staff room.
"There they are," she said while opening the door.
Almost everyone inside looked at me. Some smiled, nodded, and some were too busy eating breakfast to care.
"Everyone," Denise called out. "This is our new Sales Associate, Jade Villanueva."
I gave them a small bow. "Good morning."
"Good morning!" they answered almost at the same time.
One by one, they introduced themselves.
"I'm Bea."
"Mark."
"Leo. At your service!"
"My name is Celine. Welcome to the company."
There were so many names that I knew I'd forget half of them before lunch. Then someone opened the locker room door.
"Sorry, I'm late."
For some reason... the room became a little quieter. I turned around.
A tall man walked in while fixing his company ID around his neck. His sleeves were folded just below his elbows, and he looked like he had just rushed from somewhere. He wasn't trying to get anyone's attention.
But somehow... he already had it.
His eyes met mine for a second. Then he smiled politely. "New hire?"
Denise nodded. "Yep. Jade, this is Jaxon Reyes. He's one of our senior associates."
Jaxon extended his hand. "Welcome to the team."
I quickly shook it. "Thank you."
His hand was warm and simple. Nothing special. So why did my heart suddenly beat a little faster? Maybe I was just nervous. That had to be it.
"Jaxon will help you train today," Denise said.
I blinked. "Oh."
Jaxon laughed softly. "Relax. I don't bite."
The whole room chuckled. I couldn't help but laugh too. "Let's go?" he asked.
I nodded. He walked ahead while I followed him around the sales floor.
"This is the appliances section."
He pointed to different shelves while explaining everything patiently.
"Customers usually ask about warranties first."
He guided me to another aisle section. "This counter is for installments."
He pointed to the door at the far back of the cashier's counter.
"The stockroom is at the back."
His voice was calm, so easy to listen to. He didn't sound annoyed, even though I kept asking questions.
"What if the barcode doesn't scan?" I asked him.
"We enter it manually," he calmly answered.
"What if the customer wants a refund?" I asked again.
"I'll teach you later." He smiled.
"What if—"
He laughed. "You really came prepared with questions."
I scratched my head. "I don't want to make mistakes, you know."
"Yeah, but you will."
"Huh?"
"Everyone does."
I looked at him.
"The important thing is you learn from them."
For some reason... those words made me feel less nervous.
The day passed faster than I expected. Whenever I forgot something, Jaxon patiently reminded me. Whenever I almost panicked, he simply smiled and said, "You'll get used to it."
Maybe I would.
Around lunchtime, we entered the employee cafeteria. The moment we sat down, someone called Jaxon.
"Babe!"
I looked up. A pretty woman walked toward us with a bright smile. Without hesitation, she wrapped her arms around Jaxon's shoulder.
"You forgot your lunch again."
Jaxon laughed. "I know."
"I told you to stop skipping breakfast."
She gently pinched his arm before placing a lunch box in front of him. Then she finally looked at me.
"Oh.You must be the new girl."
She smiled warmly. "I'm Erin."
I smiled back. "I'm Jade."
"So, you're the one Jaxon's training today?"
Before I could answer, Jaxon spoke. "Yeah. She's doing well."
I looked away for a second. She's his girlfriend, of course. Someone like him wouldn't be single. I didn't know why that thought stayed with me longer than it should have.
After all... it was only my first day.
And Jaxon Reyes was just my trainer.
Nothing more. Nothing less.
Or so I believed.
:)
- Writer
