Chapter 75
985 Words
CHAPTER 75
ANGELA
The office looked even better in person.
I stood outside the glass entrance, studying the building before walking inside.
It wasn't enormous.
It wasn't flashy.
It didn't have the kind of entrance designed to make people stop and stare.
But it was clean.
Professional.
Modern.
And, most importantly, it felt like mine.
The property consultant met me at the reception.
“Ms. Williams.”
“Hello.”
“I'm glad you could make it.”
“So am I.”
He smiled and gestured toward the hallway.
“Let me show you around.”
I followed him.
The reception area was spacious enough without being excessive.
There were two offices on one side, another larger office at the end of the hallway, a conference room with glass walls, a small kitchen, and a storage room.
I walked into the largest office.
Sunlight came through the wide windows.
I stood there quietly.
This was it.
I could see myself sitting behind a desk here.
Meeting clients.
Reviewing contracts.
Planning projects.
Building something that belonged to me.
The consultant watched my expression.
“You like it?”
I looked around again.
“Yes.”
“Would you like to see another option?”
“No.”
He blinked.
“No?”
“This one.”
He smiled.
“You've made your decision quickly.”
“I don't need to see another.”
I walked toward the window.
“I like this place.”
He nodded.
“Then we can discuss the lease.”
We sat in the conference room.
He explained the terms, payment schedule, maintenance, utilities, and everything else I needed to know.
I listened carefully.
I asked questions.
He answered them.
When we finished, he placed the agreement in front of me.
I read every page.
Then I signed.
He looked at me.
“Congratulations.”
I closed the folder.
“Thank you.”
“There is one more thing.”
“What?”
“The payment.”
I nodded.
“I'll make the payment today.”
He smiled.
“Excellent.”
I took out my phone.
I opened my banking app and made the payment myself.
The confirmation appeared on my screen.
Transaction successful.
I stared at it for a moment.
Then smiled.
It was done.
I had paid for my own office.
My own space.
My own beginning.
I looked up.
“When can I move in?”
“You can start immediately.”
“Today?”
“Yes.”
“Good.”
I stood.
“I'll start today.”
---
By the time I got back to my current office, I had already made a list.
Desk.
Chair.
Laptop.
Files.
Printer.
Stationery.
A few decorations.
Nothing excessive.
I wanted the new office to feel professional, but I also wanted it to feel like me.
I started packing.
My assistant looked at me from across the room.
“Are we moving?”
“Yes.”
She stared at me.
“Today?”
“Yes.”
“Where?”
“I rented a new office.”
Her eyes widened.
“You already found one?”
“Yes.”
“When?”
“This morning.”
She laughed.
“You work fast.”
“I don't like wasting time.”
Within an hour, boxes were everywhere.
Files went into folders.
Documents were packed carefully.
Office supplies were separated.
I looked around my old workspace.
I had spent so much time here.
It had served its purpose.
But I was ready for something bigger.
---
By late afternoon, the first few pieces of furniture had arrived.
I stood in the middle of my new office while workers carried in the desk.
“Put it there.”
They moved it toward the window.
I nodded.
“Perfect.”
The chair came next.
Then the shelves.
Then the filing cabinets.
I walked around, adjusting little things myself.
The reception desk went into place.
The conference room table was positioned.
I placed my laptop on my new desk.
Then I stepped back.
I looked at everything.
My office.
My company.
My name.
My decision.
I ran my fingers over the edge of the desk.
I had done this myself.
I had wanted something of my own.
Now I had it.
The sound of footsteps came from behind me.
I turned.
A colleague stood at the entrance.
Their eyes moved around the room.
They didn't speak immediately.
“What?”
They looked at me.
“You did all this today?”
“Yes.”
They walked farther inside.
They looked at the desk.
The conference room.
The reception area.
Then back at me.
“I like it.”
I smiled.
“So do I.”
They walked toward me.
“I can see why you chose it.”
I raised an eyebrow.
“Why?”
“Because it's simple.”
I nodded.
“Exactly.”
They looked around again.
“You didn't try to make it look expensive.”
“I don't need expensive.”
“What do you need?”
I looked around the office.
“Space to work.”
They smiled.
“You have it.”
I nodded.
“Yes.”
They reached for my hand.
I let them take it.
“This is yours,” they said.
“Yes.”
They squeezed my hand.
“Then I'm happy for you.”
I looked at them.
“Thank you.”
They leaned closer and kissed my forehead.
“Congratulations, Angela.”
I smiled.
For once, I didn't feel guilty accepting the affection.
I looked around the office again.
This was mine.
Not because of anyone else's influence.
Not because someone had given it to me.
I had chosen it.
I had paid for it.
And I had started moving in.
Tomorrow, I would start working here.
And for the first time, I wasn't just imagining the woman I wanted to become.
I was becoming her.
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