Chapter 13 - Fly High, Butterfly
930 Words
The atmosphere in the Zest Ads creative department was tense, almost suffocating. Most of the staff were still glued to their desks even though it was well past regular working hours. The faint sound of fingers frantically typing on keyboards mixed with the rustle of sketch pads and whispered brainstorming sessions. No one dared to laugh, chat, or even sigh too loudly.
Micah’s presence loomed like a dark cloud over the entire floor.
He stood at the head of the long conference table, arms folded tightly across his chest, his sharp gaze flicking from one storyboard to another. The LED screen behind him displayed the proposed ad campaign: “Wings of Tomorrow . Fly Beyond Limits,” featuring one of the country’s top P-pop boy groups, Reign7.
“Is this what you’re proud to show me?” Micah’s voice sliced through the silence like a blade.
No one spoke. A few of the junior creatives swallowed hard, exchanging nervous glances.
“This lacks identity. It’s generic. The tagline could apply to any airline or any celebrity. Where’s the soul? Where’s the connection?” He tapped the screen with the end of a laser pointer. “Did you even bother researching Reign7? Their image? Their fanbase? Their influence?”
“We—we did a basic background, Sir,” stammered Paco, the team lead. His fingers fiddled with his pen. “We thought highlighting their youthful energy and tying it to air travel freedom...”
Micah’s brows furrowed deeply, his expression darkening. “Thought? That’s your problem. Uou thought halfway and stopped there. Reign7 isn’t just about ‘youthful energy.’ They represent ambition. Resilience. They broke into the international scene despite being underestimated as a local group. Does this storyboard reflect that?”
The room was silent except for the faint hum of the air-conditioning.
“I don’t want decent,” Micah continued coldly. “I want exceptional. You’re not here to make ‘safe’ ads that anyone can forget after five seconds. You’re here to create a narrative that grabs the audience by the heart and makes them believe flying with Angel Wings Airlines is part of their dream.”
He dropped the laser pointer on the table with a soft clatter. “Do better. Start from scratch if you have to. And someone better do their homework on Reign7 before I lose my patience entirely.”
Alondra, seated quietly near the back, kept her head low. Her fingers absentmindedly fiddled with her pen, though her heart was racing.
She couldn’t help it. She had been a Reign7 fan for years. She knew their story, their struggles, their discography, and even their fans’ mindset. And what Micah was asking for—something with depth and character. She could almost visualize it.
But she wasn’t part of the creative team. She was the secretary.
Still…
She bit her lip, her hand moving almost without her realizing as she scribbled notes on her pad: “Reign7 - from busking in streets to sold-out arenas. Themes of perseverance. Dreams taking flight. Tie this to airline’s slogan: Every Journey Counts.”
“Miss Enriquez.”
She froze. All heads turned toward her. Micah’s sharp eyes were fixed on her like a hawk. “You’ve been holding your tongue all this time. I noticed you scribbling there. Care to share your secret thoughts with the rest of the class?”
Alondra’s face went crimson. She hadn’t meant to be noticed. But Micah’s tone was both challenging and oddly expectant.
“I—I’m sorry, Sir. I just… I thought maybe it would help if the ad reflected Reign7’s story,” she said hesitantly, clutching her notepad. “They started out singing in parks and streets… now they’re international. Maybe we can focus on that journey. Show clips or visuals of their humble beginnings, then contrast it with their success, link it to Angel Wings Airlines helping people chase their dreams and take flight… literally and figuratively.”
A beat of silence followed.
Micah’s brow arched slightly. He took a step closer, his expression unreadable. “Go on.”
Encouraged, Alondra swallowed and continued, her voice steadier now. “Instead of generic freedom imagery, we could use their lyrics or a new tagline. Something like ‘Every Journey Counts.’ Because to their fans, even small steps matter. The airline becomes part of their story, too, helping people reach milestones, no matter how big or small.”
For a moment, no one dared breathe.
Micah’s gaze lingered on her before he looked back at the team. “You heard her. That’s the level of thought I expect from all of you.”
“Yes, Sir,” Paco muttered, his face red.
Micah returned his focus to Alondra. “Miss Enriquez, you’re not part of the creative team. But I’ll admit, what you said has more weight than all the fluff I’ve seen tonight.”
“Thank you, Sir,” she murmured, unsure whether it was a compliment or a veiled criticism.
“Don’t thank me yet. You’ve just raised the bar. Now let’s see if the rest of your colleagues can catch up to your level of insight.” He turned back to the team with a steely glare. “Two days. I want a revised concept that blows me away, or we scrap this partnership entirely. Understood?”
“Yes, Sir!” came the collective response.
Alondra sank into her chair, her heart pounding. She hadn’t meant to stand out. But she had and Micah’s piercing eyes had seen right through her quiet demeanor.
- Writer
