Chapter Four: The First Assignment
731 Words
A week passed quickly. Aria settled into her new routine at Eldridge Paint Corporation.
Every morning, she arrived before nine, greeted the receptionist with a smile, and went straight to the art studio.She wasn't the loudest person in the room.She didn't try to stand out.She simply did her work.
Whenever she finished a task, she cleaned her workspace before helping anyone who was struggling. Before long, even the senior artists began to notice her quiet dedication.
"Miss Williams."Aria looked up from the colour chart she was organizing.
The Managing Director stood at the entrance of the studio.
"Mr. Ethan wants everyone in the conference room."The room immediately became quiet.The employees exchanged nervous glances before following him upstairs.
Aria carried her notebook and quietly joined the others.When they entered the conference room, Ethan was already there.He stood beside a large screen with his hands in his pockets.
"Good morning," he said.
"Good morning, sir," everyone answered.
He nodded once.”The company has been invited to create a colour collection for a children's art program."
The screen behind him lit up with several designs.”This project matters to us. We don't want colours that simply look beautiful."He paused.
"We want colours that make children feel something."
He looked around the room.
"You'll be working in small teams."The assistants handed out name tags.
Aria looked down at hers.Team Three.
She glanced around until she found the table marked with the same number.
Just as she sat down, Ethan spoke again.
"Each team will choose one leader."
The room filled with whispers.Before anyone in Team Three could speak, Ethan looked directly at them.”Miss Williams."
Aria looked up in surprise.
"You're the team leader."
The room became silent.
She blinked.”Me?"”Yes."
"But..."She hesitated.
"I've only been here a week."
"So have everyone else in this room."
His voice remained calm.
"Yesterday, your team submitted the most accurate colour samples."
Aria looked around.
Her teammates were already looking at her.She slowly nodded.
"I'll do my best."”That's all I expect."
The meeting ended, and everyone returned to the studio.
As they gathered around the table, one of the designers smiled.”I guess you're our boss now."Aria laughed awkwardly.
"Please don't call me that."
"Then what should we call you?"Aria is fine."
The atmosphere relaxed, and they began discussing ideas for the project.
Aria listened carefully to everyone's suggestions before writing them down.
She never dismissed anyone's opinion.
Instead, she encouraged each person to contribute.
From across the studio, Ethan noticed.
He had expected someone with talent.
He hadn't expected someone who could lead without making people feel small.
He folded his arms.Interesting.
Later that afternoon, Ethan walked through the studio to check on each team's progress.Most people became tense the moment he approached.
Aria didn't notice him at first.
She was too busy mixing colours.
He stopped beside her table.”What are you trying to achieve with this shade?" he asked.Aria looked up.”A warmer blue."
He raised an eyebrow.
"Blue is usually considered a cool colour."
"It is."She smiled slightly.”But children don't always see colours the way adults do."She pointed at the sample.
"If you soften it with a little yellow instead of white, it feels less lonely."Ethan looked at the colour in silence.
He remembered hearing almost the same words years ago.”Every colour has a feeling, Ethan."
"Don't paint only what people see. Paint what they feel."His mother.
He looked back at Aria.”You learned that somewhere?" yes My father."
She answered without thinking.
"He loved painting."Something flickered across Ethan's face before it disappeared.
"I see." He gave a small nod and walked away.
Aria watched him leave.”Strange man," she murmured.One of her teammates leaned closer.”You know, he doesn't usually stay this long at anyone's table."
Aria shrugged.
"Maybe he thought my colours were terrible."Her teammate laughed.
"I don't think that's why."
Upstairs, Ethan entered his office and closed the door.
He walked to the window overlooking the studio.Below, Aria laughed with her teammates before returning to her painting.
For the first time in years...He found himself wondering about someone outside his own family.Not because she was beautiful.Not because she had stepped on his foot.
But because every time she picked up a brush... She reminded him of the mother he had never stopped missing.
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