Chapter Five: Promotion Before Starting
886 Words
Melinda was halfway through her second coffee of the day, sitting on a bench outside the building, when her phone buzzed in her lap.
She glanced down, expecting a message from Celine or maybe even another text from Alex.
But it wasn’t either of them.
Congratulations! Your application has been approved. Welcome to Grey Enterprises. Your position: Executive Secretary. Report to the 42nd floor at 8:00 AM sharp.
Her breath caught.
She blinked, rereading the message twice, then a third time. Executive Secretary? That wasn’t the role she’d applied for. She’d gone in for a general admin position—entry-level, nothing fancy. But this… this was something else entirely.
A laugh bubbled up in her throat, unbidden and bright. She clutched the phone to her chest, a grin spreading across her face. For the first time in what felt like forever, something had gone right.
She immediately dialed the one person who would scream louder than she could.
“Celine!” she said as soon as the call connected.
“Mel! Tell me you got the job!”
“I didn’t just get the job,” Melinda said, practically bouncing on the bench. “I got promoted before I even started. Executive Secretary. I don’t even know how, but—”
A shriek pierced her eardrum. “WHAT?! Girl, shut up! Are you serious?”
“I’m dead serious.”
“That's so cool; we’re celebrating. Meet me at the mall in thirty minutes. We’re getting you a whole new wardrobe. You are not walking into Grey Enterprises looking like a college intern.”
Melinda laughed. “Alright babe. But I’m not spending a fortune.”
“Please. You just landed a job with Morrison freaking Grey. You’re about to be rolling in designer paychecks. I’ll see you soon.” Celine retorted.
Melinda hung up, still smiling, and flagged another cab.
—
The mall was buzzing with weekend energy—families weaving through food courts, teenagers loitering near escalators, and music drifting from every corner. Celine was already waiting outside a boutique, her arms crossed and her sunglasses perched like a crown on her head.
“There she is!” Celine pulled her into a hug. “My corporate queen.”
Melinda rolled her eyes but hugged her back tightly. “You’re absolutely ridiculous.”
“And you’re underdressed. Come on.” Celine muttered with a wide gri
They spent the next hour flitting from store to store, Celine tossing blouses, pencil skirts, and sleek heels into Melinda’s arms like a woman on a mission. Melinda tried to protest, but Celine waved her off.
“You’re starting a new life,” she said, holding up a navy-blue blazer. “You need armor.”
Eventually, they collapsed into a booth at a café, their shopping bags piled beside them. Melinda stirred her iced tea, her smile fading slightly as the adrenaline wore off.
Celine noticed immediately. “Okay. Spill.”
Melinda hesitated, then exhaled. “It’s Emily. And Alex.”
Celine’s eyes narrowed. “What about them?”
“They… they were together. Behind my back. For months, I think.”
Celine’s jaw dropped. “You’re joking.”
“I wish I was.”
Melinda told her everything—how she’d walked in on them, the way they looked at each other, and the betrayal that had cracked her open.
Her voice trembled, but she pushed through, needing to say it out loud, to let someone else carry the weight for a while.
By the time she finished, Celine’s hands were clenched into fists.
“I swear,” she growled, “if I had been there, I would’ve dragged them both by the hair. That little snake of a sister and that two-faced coward? Ugh!”
Melinda gave a weak laugh. “You sound like you’re ready to go to war.”
“I am. But you know what? They’re not worth it. You’re better off without them. Let them rot in their little betrayal bubble. You’ve got bigger things ahead.”
Melinda nodded slowly. “I know. It just… hurts.”
“I get it. But you’re not going to let them define you. You’re going to walk into that office tomorrow looking like a goddess and look like you own every damn room you step into.”
Melinda smiled, the warmth of Celine’s words settling into her chest.
“Speaking of which,” Celine said, her eyes lighting up mischievously, “we should go out tonight and celebrate properly. There’s a new club downtown—hot guys, good music, and zero drama.”
Melinda laughed. “Tempting. But I have to be up early. First day and all.”
Celine groaned. “Fine!!! Responsible Melinda wins this round. But next weekend, you’re mine.”
“Deal.”
They spent the rest of the afternoon trying on sunglasses, sampling perfume, and taking selfies in front of store mirrors.
Melinda didn’t mention the stranger from the night before. That was a secret she wasn’t ready to unpack—not yet. For now, she just wanted to hold on to the joy of this moment, the feeling of moving forward.
As the sun dipped low and the mall lights flickered on, Melinda felt something she hadn’t in a long time.
Hope.
And it looked good on her.
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- Writer
