FIRST DAY AT WORK
1278 Words
Chapter 6
Tara woke before her alarm.
Her eyes opened into darkness her heart racing like it had been waiting for this moment all night. For a few seconds she just lay there staring at the ceiling, trying to steady her breathing.
Today is her first day at work no room for mistakes.
She turned her head
Ken was still asleep beside her his small body curled into hers peacefully. Tara swallowed.
I have to get this right carefully. She slipped out of bed without waking him.
The apartment was quiet.
She moved quickly getting dressed in the best outfit. She owned the same dress from the interview, she tied her hair back neatly studying herself in the cracked mirror.
For a moment, doubt crept in again.
You don’t belong there “I do now” she whispered “Mommy?”
Tara turned.
Ken stood in the doorway rubbing his eyes.
“You’re leaving?” She smiled softly and walked over to him kneeling slightly.
“I have to go to work.”
His brows furrowed. “Will you come back?”
“Of course I will,” she said gently, brushing his hair back. “I always do.”
He studied her for a moment, then nodded slowly.
“Okay.”
Tara kissed his forehead “I’ll make you proud alright?” He smiled faintly “You already do.”
Her heart clenched.
She stood quickly before her emotions could get the best of her “I’ll see you later.”
The city felt different this morning, busier.
Tara sat by the window again, her hands clasped tightly in her lap.
Her thoughts raced schedules, instructions and expectations.
Everything Anne had told her.He’s strict.
He doesn’t tolerate mistakes and people don’t last long under him. Tara exhaled slowly.
Then I’ll be the one who does.
The building stood just as intimidating as it had yesterday tall and unreachable.
Except now
She had to walk into it like she belonged. Tara straightened her shoulders and stepped inside.
The cool air wrapped around her again.
This time, it didn’t feel unfamiliar.
It felt challenging.
She approached the reception desk.
“I’m Tara. I'm starting today.” The receptionist nodded, already aware.
“Welcome. Take the elevator to the 20th floor.”
Her heart skipped. “Thank you.”
The elevator ride felt longer this time.
Her reflection stared back at her again, but this time
There was something else in her eyes: determination and fear.
The doors slid open.
The 20th floor was different quite and shaper.
Every movement here felt controlled.
Important.
Tara stepped out her heels clicking softly against the polished floor.
A woman approached her almost immediately “You must be the new secretary.”
Tara nodded. “Yes.”
“I’m Clara. I handle operations here.”
Her tone was polite but distant “Follow me.”
Tara walked beside her taking in everything.
“This is not like the lower departments,” Clara said without looking at her. “Everything here runs directly under the CEO. Mistakes are not tolerated.”
Tara nodded slightly. “Understood.”
Clara stopped walking and turned to face her fully.
“People don’t last long in this position,” she added.
Tara held her gaze.
“I will.” Clara studied her for a moment.
Then turned “We’ll see.”
The next hour passed in a blur.
Instructions schedules and system access.
Tara absorbed everything as quickly as she could her focus sharp despite the pressure building in her chest.
Don’t fall behind, don't make mistakes.
“Tara.”
She turned quickly.
Clara stood near a large office door.
Dark wood.
Closed.
Tara’s pulse spiked.
“The CEO is ready to meet you.”
Her stomach dropped.
Already?
“I—now?” she asked before she could stop herself.
Clara’s expression didn’t change.
“Yes now.”
Tara inhaled slowly then nodded.
“Okay.”
Clara stepped aside slightly gesturing toward the door.
“Go in.”
For a moment Tara just stood there.
Her heart pounded loudly in her ears.
This is it.
The most important moment.
She reached for the door handle.
Her hand trembled slightly.
She tightened her grip she knocked.
A voice came from inside.
“Come in.”
Tara pushed the door open.
The office was large.
Expansive.
Minimal but powerful.
Floor to ceiling windows let sunlight spill across the room.
Everything was precisely ordered.
Her eyes landed on him.
He sat behind the desk, his posture straight, his presence commanding without effort.
He was looking down at something focused and unmoved.
Tara stepped inside the door closing softly behind her.
Her heartbeat echoed loudly in her chest.
“Good morning, sir,” she said carefully.
No response.
Just the faint sound of paper shifting.
For a second, she wondered if he had heard her.
Then
He looked up.
And everything stopped.
His eyes locked onto hers sharp, intense and unmoving.
Tara froze.
There is something about the way he looked at her, it wasn’t normal and wasn’t just evaluation, it was deeper, stronger and almost familiar.
Her breath caught.
Jaden didn’t move.
Didn’t blink.
Didn’t speak for a moment.
He simply stared.
Like he had seen a ghost.
Or something he had been searching for a very long time.
Tara’s fingers tightened slightly at her sides.
“Sir?” she said again, unsure.
Still no response but his expression shifted.
Something dark flickered behind his eyes like something personal.
Her pulse quickened.
Why is he looking at me like that?
The silence stretched heavy, uncomfortable and unexplainable
Then finally
He spoke. “Tara.”
Her name.
The way he said it
It sent a strange chill down her spine.
“Yes, sir.”
Another pause.
You don’t remember me… but I remember everything.”
His voice dropped, low and dangerous, as his eyes traced her face like a man who had been starving for years.
“That night… you changed my life.”
Tara’s breath caught. “I I don’t even know you.”
A faint, knowing smile curved his lips.
“Oh, you do… you just don’t remember.”
He decided to skip the conversation and do his investigation to know if she was lying that she could not remember anything as he ruled it cold, powerful, and incapable of love.
His gaze didn’t leave her.
Not even for a second as if looking away would make her disappear.
Jaden leaned back slowly in his chair, still watching her.
Studying her like he was trying to confirm something.
“You’ll be handling my schedule,” he said finally. “You will not make mistakes.”
His tone was firm.
Controlled again.
But that intensity didn't disappear.
“I understand,” Tara said quickly.
“Good, you can go”
Just like that dismissed
Tara hesitated for a fraction of a second.
Then nodded.
“Yes, sir.”
She turned and walked toward the door, her mind spinning.
What was that?
Why did that feel so strange? Why was he saying he knows me when I haven’t met him before.
Her hand reached the handle.
She opened the door.
And stepped out.
Inside the office Jaden didn’t move.
Not immediately his gaze remained fixed on the door long after it closed.
His jaw tightened slightly.
His hand slowly clenched into a fist.
“Tara…” he murmured under his breath.
The name felt different on his tongue now.
After years of searching for her she is here right in front of him but she didn’t remember him, a dark unreadable expression crossed his face.
“I’ve finally found you.”
- Writer
