Santorini's intern

Chapter two

Fidelia's POV

Adjusting to work life has proven to be one of the most challenging transitions of my life. Two weeks into this daily routine of waking up early and arriving at work before anyone else, I've realized how exhausting it can be, yet as the day passes, I know this will become second nature. Despite the initial hurdles, my experience at Santorini has been pleasant so far. I find myself looking forward to the familiar environment of my office, the soft hum of the computers and the quiet murmur of conversations, and the simplicity of my modest corner cubicle.

My manager, Anna, has been incredibly patient with me, assigning me tasks that challenge me and keep me on my toes. Recently, I noticed other employees frequently asking for my assistance. At first, I assumed it was because I was the new intern, and they thought I had no better things to do, but I later discovered Anna had encouraged them to involve me.

“Morning” Fidelia, Megan, one of the senior employees, greeted me as she approached my cubicle. Could you help organize these files? ” I've got a meeting after lunch and I will need them. "Of course, I replied with a quick smile. “That won't be a problem”.

After she left, I recalled Anna's advice during my orientation: "You'll gain more experience if you're versatile. Don't limit yourself to what I assign you; take on additional responsibilities from other employees. Broaden your scope, learn from everyone and equip yourself for a permanent role.”

That advice stuck with me. I am determined to prove my worth and show that I belong at the prestigious Santorini.

When lunchtime rolled around, I wrapped up my current task and headed to the cafeteria on the fifth floor. My colleagues had already settled into a booth by the side, so I joined them after grabbing my food. I was fortunate that they had been welcoming from my first day, making my adjustment to this new environment much easier. As we ate, we conversed about different things, both educational and sometimes personal matters, but the conversations always inevitably turned to the CEO, Enzo Santorini – a topic that seemed ever present among the staff.

Did you hear he rejected the entire marketing proposal by the marketing team yesterday? Martha, a junior staff member, said, rolling her eyes. “He's impossible to please”. “It's exhausting how high his standards are”, Rose added.

I keep my head down, pretending to focus on my food. I don't think it was my place to contribute to such discussions. The only comment that seemed reasonable came from Mr James, a senior employee. But his so-called perfectionism is the reason Santorini is where it is today. His high standards drive the company's success, and that's something to respect”. I hid a smirk, silently agreeing with him. While I don't know the CEO personally, I disliked how casually people criticized him. Since my first day, I've heard snippets of conversations painting him as a half - tyrant, half-genius figure. To me, he was just another executive I had no interest in meeting.

After lunch, I resumed my tasks. I finished with Megan's files and promptly returned them before continuing with Anna's work. However, the office atmosphere had shifted by the time I returned. Conversations buzzed with urgency. Curious, I approached Jane, another employee.

Good afternoon, Jane. "Do you know what's going on? " Oh, it's major," she said. One of Santorini’s competitors just launched a new tech product identical to ours–and at a lower price. Santorini’s launch was set for two months from now, but this changes everything. If we proceed without a new strategy, it'll cause massive losses. "Who's going to choose a more expensive product when the functionality is the same? " As she spoke, I could feel the weight of the situation setting over me. This was no small problem, and I realized the days ahead would be anything but routine.

It was well past closing time when I finally wrapped up Anna's tasks. Just as I was about to add the finishing touches, Anna approached my cubicle. “How's everything going?” she asked, leaning casually against the wall. "Good" I replied, looking up briefly,” I helped Megan sort her files, finished her task, and I'm almost done with the data entry for marketing, should be ready any minute now.” Anna nodded, a faint smile on her lip. ” you're doing well. " Keep it up. ” “ Thank you" I said, pleased by the compliment.

Then, she added something unexpected. “I'd like you to join me tomorrow morning for a strategy meeting with the executive team.”

I blinked, caught off guard.” Me? In an executive meeting “Yes”, she confirmed as though it was the most natural thing in the world.

“You've probably heard about the situation from your colleagues,” she continued. This meeting is to address the company's response. The CEO will be present. It's a great opportunity for you to observe how decisions are made at the top level.

Be in the conference room on the seventeenth floor at 8 am sharp. Bring your notepad. Don't worry about speaking; you're just there to take notes and learn. Understood? “Yes,” I managed to reply. “Good, get some good night's rest, it'll be an interesting experience,” she said, before walking away.

Left alone in the office, her words began to sink in. My heart raced as I went on about being in the same room as the elusive CEO everyone seemed obsessed with. If someone had told me two weeks ago that I'd be attending such a high-level meeting, I wouldn't have believed them.

Taking a deep breath, I resolve to prepare thoroughly. Whatever the meeting had in

Store, I will be ready.