CHAPTER 1 – FIRST IMPRESSIONS
1153 Words
Abbey’s alarm had been ringing for the past ten minutes.
She didn’t hear it.
Or rather, she heard it in her dreams, twisted into something distant and unimportant, until a pillow smacked her square in the face.
“Abbey!”
Her eyes flew open.
“What?” she gasped, sitting up so fast her head spun.
Maya stood over her bed, hands on her hips, unimpressed. “You’re late. On your first day. At a billionaire CEO’s company.”
Abbey blinked once.
Twice.
Then her gaze snapped to the clock.
8:07 a.m.
She was supposed to be there by 8:30.
“Oh my God.”
She threw the covers off and jumped out of bed, nearly tripping over her own feet as she rushed toward the bathroom.
“I set three alarms!” she called out.
“And you ignored all three,” Maya replied, leaning against the doorframe. “Very on brand.”
Abbey grabbed her toothbrush and spoke around it, words muffled. “Why didn’t you wake me earlier?”
Maya raised a brow. “Because I’m not your mother. I’m your best friend. There’s a difference.”
Abbey shot her a look through the mirror, quickly splashing water on her face. “You’re evil.”
“And you’re unemployed if you don’t move faster,” Maya shot back.
That did it.
Abbey sped up.
The apartment wasn’t large, but it was theirs. Shared rent, shared chaos, shared dreams that sometimes felt too big for the life they were currently living.
Abbey moved quickly,too quickly,switching between tasks like her life depended on it.
Because right now, it kind of did.
She pulled on a fitted black pencil skirt, a crisp cream blouse, and a tailored blazer that she had ironed twice the night before. Her hair went into a neat low bun, a few loose strands framing her face just enough to soften the look.
Minimal makeup.
Clean.
Sharp.
Professional.
Maya watched her from the bed, eyes scanning her outfit. “Okay… wait.”
Abbey grabbed her bag. “What?”
“You clean up nice,” Maya said, smirking. “Like… dangerously nice. Are you sure you’re going there to work and not to steal someone’s husband?”
Abbey rolled her eyes, slipping into her heels. “Please. I just need the job.”
Maya sat up straighter. “Speaking of jobs… that CEO you’ll be working for?”
Abbey paused briefly, reaching for her watch. “What about him?”
Maya grinned. “They say he’s the hottest CEO in the state.”
Abbey snorted. “They say that about every rich man in a suit.”
“No, I’m serious,” Maya insisted. “Tall, cold, doesn’t smile, doesn’t mix business with pleasure… basically every woman’s problem.”
Abbey shook her head, grabbing her bag. “Good. Then I won’t have to deal with nonsense.”
“Or,” Maya added, wiggling her brows, “you could accidentally fall in love and change his life forever.”
Abbey gave her a flat look. “I’m trying to keep my life together, not fix someone else’s.”
Maya laughed. “We’ll see.”
“I’m leaving,” Abbey said, already heading for the door.
“Don’t trip on your first day!”
The door shut behind her before she could respond.
The morning air was sharp, cool enough to wake her fully as she hurried down the street.
Her heart was still racing.
Late. First day. New job.
Not a great combination.
She checked the time again and picked up her pace.
The coffee shop near Lawson Corps came into view, and she hesitated for half a second before stepping in.
She needed coffee.
Badly.
“Large latte, please,” she said quickly when it was her turn.
The barista nodded, already moving.
Abbey tapped her foot impatiently, glancing at the door, then at her watch again.
8:19 a.m.
Cutting it close.
Very close.
“Order for Abbey!”
She grabbed the cup. “Thank you.”
And rushed out.
That was when it happened.
She pushed the door open
And collided straight into someone.
The impact jolted her forward, the coffee slipping from her grip in a slow, horrifying arc before spilling directly onto the front of the man’s shirt.
Silence.
Then
“Oh my God....I’m so sorry!”
Abbey’s eyes widened as she stared at the damage. Dark fabric. Expensive, judging by the cut. Now stained.
She looked up quickly.
The man standing in front of her was tall. Broad shoulders. Impeccably dressed well, he had been before she ruined it.
His expression wasn’t angry.
But it wasn’t friendly either.
It was controlled.
Sharp.
Assessing.
“I didn’t see you,” Abbey rushed out. “I’m really sorry. I can fix it, I mean, I can pay for dry cleaning or”
“It’s fine,” he said.
His voice was low.
Calm.
But distant.
Abbey shook her head immediately. “No, it’s not fine. I literally just ruined your shirt.”
“It’s just coffee.”
“That’s not the point,” she insisted. “At least let me pay for cleaning”
“I said it’s fine.”
That ended it.
Not harsh.
Just final.
Abbey paused, then nodded slowly. “Okay… but I really am sorry.”
He didn’t respond.
Just stepped past her and walked away.
No second glance.
No acknowledgment.
Nothing.
Abbey stood there for a second, watching him go.
“Well,” she muttered under her breath, “you’re welcome for the caffeine.”
Then she shook her head and hurried off.
Lawson Corps stood tall and intimidating, glass reflecting the morning sky like it owned it.
Abbey slowed slightly as she approached.
This was it.
No turning back.
She stepped inside.
The lobby was everything she expected—and more.
Polished floors.
Clean lines.
People moving with purpose.
Everyone looked like they knew exactly where they were going.
Except her.
Abbey adjusted her bag strap and walked up to the reception desk.
“Hi,” she said politely. “I’m Abbey Witmore. I’m here to start as the temporary assistant to the CEO.”
The receptionist smiled professionally. “One moment, please.”
She picked up the phone and made a quick call.
Abbey stood still, hands clasped lightly in front of her, trying to ignore the slight knot forming in her stomach.
First impressions mattered.
A lot.
The receptionist hung up and looked back at her. “You’ll be heading to the executive floor. Take the elevator on your right.”
“Thank you.”
Abbey nodded and turned.
Her heels clicked softly against the floor as she walked toward the elevators.
Each step felt heavier.
Not with fear.
With awareness.
New place.
New job.
New expectations.
The elevator doors opened.
She stepped inside.
And as they closed
Abbey took a quiet breath.
Straightened her shoulders.
And prepared herself.
- Writer
