ONE NIGHT TOO LATE

THE DAY

Anne's POV

Sunday night felt different.

The kind of difference that hummed under my skin, making sleep a stranger. I had been tossing and turning in my bed since 9 p.m., staring at the ceiling like it held some magical answer to what Monday would bring. My suitcase of emotions was packed to the brim,nerves, excitement, disbelief, a pinch of fear, and a heavy dose of gratitude.

This wasn’t just any Monday.

This was the Monday.

The day I stepped into The Clark’s Conglomerate, not as an outsider, not as a dreamer peeking from the sidelines, but as an employee.

When my alarm went off at 5:30 a.m., I didn’t hit snooze. I sat up instantly, even though my body felt like it had been hit by a truck from all the tossing the night before. My chest rose and fell as I took a deep breath.

“Anne,” I whispered to myself, voice shaking slightly, “you’ve got this. You belong there. You are more than enough.”

Those were my words of affirmation, and I repeated them like a chant while sitting at the edge of my bed.

You’ve got this, You belong there, You are more than enough.

I prayed to God thanking him for everything and praying this day goes smoothly.I padded to the bathroom, splashing my face with cold water to wake myself up. The woman staring back in the mirror had changed so much in just a few months, eyes sharper, shoulders straighter, smile more confident. The tears that used to feel like permanent residents in my eyes had taken a long vacation.

After a quick shower, I carefully applied my skincare, feeling like I was armoring up for battle. Then came the most important part and that's the outfit.

I had spent the weekend curating this look with Lizzy’s help because first impressions at a company like The Clark’s Conglomerate weren’t just important,they were everything. I slipped into a tailored navy-blue pantsuit, the fabric hugging me in all the right places. Underneath, I wore a cream silk blouse that felt like luxury against my skin. The gold watch on my wrist wasn’t expensive, but it gleamed like it belonged in a boardroom. My heels were black, sleek, and just high enough to command attention completed the look.

I kept my makeup minimal but intentional: even-toned foundation, a hint of blush for warmth, mascara to make my lashes look like they were flirting with success, and a nude lipstick that whispered sophistication. My hair was straightened into a sleek middle part, falling over my shoulders with quiet elegance.

By the time I stood in front of my full-length mirror, I actually smiled.

If I walked into a room looking like this, I’d hire me. After that statement, I laughed at myself.

I grabbed my structured black tote bag which I got from Micheal kors, which held my neatly arranged documents, a new notepad, and a pen I’d bought just for this occasion. My phone was charged, my nerves were… somewhat under control, and my heart was racing like it was competing in a marathon.

Before I left, I stood in the middle of my living room, closed my eyes, and whispered a short prayer.

“God, thank You for this chance. I don’t know what You have planned for me here, but I trust You. Please guide my steps, my words, and my mind.”

The Uber arrived right on time. The driver, a middle-aged man with kind eyes, greeted me warmly as I slid into the back seat.

“Big day?” he asked, glancing at my outfit through the rearview mirror.

“The biggest,” I said with a small smile.

The ride felt like it lasted both a second and an eternity. My palms were slightly sweaty, and I kept replaying possible scenarios in my head. Would they be friendly? Would they think I was inexperienced? Would I trip over my own feet in the lobby?

When the towering glass structure of The Clark’s Conglomerate came into view, I almost forgot to breathe. I’d seen it in photos countless times, they were sleek, modern, unapologetically grand but standing in front of it was something else entirely. The sunlight reflected off the tinted glass, making it look like the building itself was glowing. The logo, bold and proud, was etched at the top: The Clark’s Conglomerate.

“This is it,” I murmured under my breath.

I paid the driver, stepped out, and instantly felt small in the presence of the skyscraper. But I straightened my shoulders anyway, because small or not, I was walking in there today as someone who belonged.

Inside, the lobby was a vision of corporate perfection,marble floors that looked like they’d been polished within an inch of their lives, minimalist gold-and-black decor, and a faint scent of fresh lilies in the air. A massive chandelier hung above, its crystal drops catching the morning light in a dazzling display.

The receptionist, a young woman in a black blazer and bright red lipstick, smiled warmly at me.

“Good morning. How can I help you?”

“I’m Anne Idia, I’m here to see HR,I’m starting today,” I said, hoping my voice sounded steadier than I felt.

“Of course, Ms. Idia Congratulations. If you’ll just sign here, I’ll call someone to take you upstairs.” The receptionist said.

After signing in, I was approached by a cheerful HR representative named Clara. She was in her mid-thirties, with an easy smile that instantly put me at ease.

“Anne! Welcome to the family,” she said as we shook hands. “Come with me, let’s get you settled.”

We rode the elevator to the 18th floor, where the HR department was located. Clara walked me through everything, my job description, my reporting structure, the company culture, and, to my surprise, the benefits package.

When she got to the part about the company car, my eyes widened.

“Yes,” she laughed, noticing my shock. “It’s standard for your role. You’ll have a driver for official duties, and the car’s yours to use for commuting.”

And then came the part that almost made me drop my pen.....the salary.

It was twenty times what I had been earning at my previous job.

I swallowed hard, trying to hide my disbelief.

“This… this is incredible,” I said softly.

“You earned it. We choose the best,” Clara replied with a wink.

She handed me my ID badge, sleek and shiny with my photo printed on it, and then walked me to my office. When I stepped inside, my breath caught in my throat.

The room was spacious, with floor-to-ceiling windows offering a sweeping view of the city skyline. A large mahogany desk sat near the window, paired with an ergonomic chair that looked far too comfortable to be in an office. There was a bookshelf against one wall, a small seating area with two cream armchairs, and fresh flowers on a side table.

“This… is mine?” I asked, still stunned.

“All yours,” Clara said with a grin. “Welcome to your new home away from home.”

Once she left, I took a moment to run my fingers along the desk, feeling the smooth surface beneath my palms. I sat down, swiveling slightly to take in the view. For a second, I thought about everything I’d been through, the heartbreak, the tears, the hopeless nights and I almost teared up again. But this time, it wasn’t sadness. It was gratitude.

I powered on my computer and began my first task: reviewing last quarter’s financial reports. The hours flew by as I immersed myself in the data, making notes, highlighting trends, and drafting a preliminary summary. Every so often, colleagues would pass by office to introduce themselves, each one polite and professional.

By lunchtime, I had been invited to the executive cafeteria, where the food looked like it belonged in a five-star restaurant. I opted for grilled salmon with vegetables and a sparkling water, trying to keep it light because my stomach was still tied in nervous knots.

The afternoon was filled with more work, analyzing spreadsheets, checking projections, and preparing a draft presentation. My brain buzzed with focus, and for the first time in a long time, I felt completely in my element.

By the time 5 p.m. rolled around, I didn’t want to leave. But I shut down my computer, gathered my things, and walked out of the building with a satisfied smile.

As the Uber drove me home, I whispered another prayer.

“Thank You, God. For the pain that pushed me here. For the door You opened when I thought I had none. For this fresh start.”

When I called my mom to tell her about my day, her voice was filled with pride.

“I told you, Anne. Dave was bad luck. See how your life is changing now? God is showing you that He has better for you.”

I smiled into the phone. “Yeah, Mom. He really is.”

That night, I fell asleep without tossing or turning, my heart full and my spirit light. Monday had been more than just a first day, it had been a promise that my future was already looking brighter, wishing the day dosen't end.