CHAPTER 1: THE FIRST DAY
813 Words
Mia stood in front of her mirror, adjusting her blouse for the umpteenth time. Today was her first day at the marketing firm, and the excitement bubbling within her was tinged with anxiety. She had spent the night tossing and turning, her mind racing with thoughts of what lay ahead. Would she fit in? Would she be able to impress Ethan?
Taking a deep breath, she grabbed her bag and headed out the door. The city was alive with the morning rush, and as she navigated through the bustling streets, she felt a mix of anticipation and dread. The firm was located in a sleek skyscraper, and as she entered the lobby, she marveled at the modern decor and the hustle of employees moving about.
After checking in at the front desk, Mia made her way to the elevator. As the doors slid shut, she caught a glimpse of her reflection and whispered a silent mantra to herself: “You can do this.”
When she arrived on her floor, the atmosphere was vibrant. People were engaged in animated conversations, and the sound of keyboards clicking filled the air. Mia’s heart raced as she approached her new desk, a sleek workstation adorned with a small potted plant and a welcome note from her team.
“Hey, you must be Mia!” a cheerful voice called out. A woman with curly hair and bright eyes approached her, extending a hand. “I’m Sarah, your team lead. Welcome aboard!”
“Thank you, Sarah,” Mia replied, her voice steadying as she shook Sarah’s hand.
“Let me show you around,” Sarah said, leading her through the open office space. Mia took in the vibrant atmosphere, the colorful posters on the walls, and the collaborative energy that seemed to pulse through the air.
As they walked, Mia’s eyes darted around, searching for Ethan. She spotted him in a glass-walled conference room, deep in discussion with a few colleagues. He looked every bit the part of a powerful CEO, his presence commanding attention.
“Don’t worry, you’ll get to meet him soon,” Sarah said, noticing Mia’s gaze. “He’s a great boss, but he can be a bit intense. Just be yourself, and you’ll do fine.”
Mia nodded, her heart racing at the thought of interacting with Ethan again. She was determined to make a good impression, but the thought of being in his presence made her palms sweat.
As the day progressed, Mia settled into her role, tackling tasks with a mix of excitement and trepidation. She found herself collaborating with her team on a new campaign, brainstorming ideas and contributing her thoughts. The atmosphere was supportive, and she felt a sense of belonging that she hadn’t anticipated.
But as the clock ticked closer to noon, Mia’s nerves returned. She knew she would have to face Ethan soon, and the thought made her stomach flutter. Just as she was lost in her thoughts, Sarah approached her desk again.
“Hey, Mia! Ethan wants to see you in his office,” she said, her eyes sparkling with excitement.
Mia’s heart dropped. “Now?”
“Yep! Don’t worry, you’ll do great!” Sarah encouraged, giving her a reassuring smile.
Taking a deep breath, Mia stood up and smoothed her skirt. She walked toward Ethan’s office, her heart pounding in her chest. As she reached the door, she hesitated for a moment, gathering her courage before knocking softly.
“Come in,” Ethan’s voice called from inside.
Mia opened the door and stepped in, her breath catching at the sight of him. He was leaning back in his chair, a casual yet commanding presence. His blue eyes met hers, and a smile broke across his face.
“Ah, Mia! Just the person I wanted to see,” he said, gesturing for her to take a seat.
“Thank you for having me,” she replied, her voice steady despite the butterflies in her stomach.
“I wanted to discuss your ideas for the campaign,” he said, leaning forward with interest. “I’ve heard great things about your creativity.”
Mia felt a rush of warmth at his words. “I have a few concepts I think could work well,” she said, her confidence growing as she shared her thoughts.
Ethan listened intently, nodding and asking questions that made her feel valued. The conversation flowed easily, and for a moment, the world outside faded away.
As their discussion came to a close, Ethan leaned back in his chair, a thoughtful expression on his face. “I’m looking forward to seeing what you come up with, Mia. You have a unique perspective.”
“Thank you, Ethan. I appreciate the opportunity,” she said, her heart racing at the way he looked at her.
As she left his office, Mia couldn’t help but smile☺️
- Writer
