THE FIRST STEP
800 Words
Chapter 1: The First Step
Angela stood in front of her bedroom mirror, adjusting the pink jersey headband that held back her curls. Today was important — her internship interview at Argent Corp, the company that could kickstart her career. She took a deep breath, smoothing down her stylish blouse and slipping on her heels, She had been called ambitious, dramatic, and a little reckless—but today, she was just a twenty-two-year-old girl trying not to sweat through her outfit on the biggest day of her life: an internship interview at one of NYC's top companies.
Her phone buzzed on the dresser. A quick glance showed a video call from Laura, her childhood best friend since forever.
Angela answered the video call, and instantly, Laura’s face lit up the screen — bonnet on, skin glowing, and a toothbrush in her mouth.
"Girl, you look like a whole CEO already!" Laura grinned, pulling the toothbrush out mid-sentence. “Are you tryna get the internship or steal the company?”
Angela laughed. “Honestly? Both.”
Laura rolled her eyes. “You better. That fit is giving confident, classy, and a touch of 'don’t mess with me'.”
Angela blew a kiss to the screen. “Thank you! But I’m kinda freaking out though… what if I blank out or stumble over my words?”
“Babe,” Laura said, now fully focused. “You’ve literally been preparing for this for weeks. You’ve practiced your intro so many times, even my little brother can recite it. You’re smart, stylish, and you’re Angela freaking Martins. Own it.”
Angela smiled, touched. “You always know what to say.”
Laura winked. “Duh. It’s part of the best-friend package. Now go in there, flash that pretty smile, and remember: if the CEO is fine, that’s a bonus.”
Angela gasped dramatically. “Laura!”
Laura laughed. “I’m just saying! Anyway, I gotta go rinse my mouth. Call me after. I need all the juicy details.”
Angela nodded. “Promise.”
They hung up, and Angela glanced at herself once more in the mirror, confidence slowly filling her chest.
Today was her day.
---
After hanging up, Angela checked her messages. One from Boston, her loyal male bestie since high school, popped up.
Boston:You got this!. Don’t let anyone intimidate you
She smiled and slipped her phone into her bag. Time to show the world what she was made of.
“Okay, Angela, you got this,” she whispered to herself, grabbing her portfolio and heading out.
---
The Argent Corp building loomed tall and shiny as Angela stepped inside, nerves buzzing. She approached the sleek reception desk where a poised woman with sharp eyes looked up.
“Good morning, I’m here for the internship interview,” Angela said, her voice steady.
The secretary, Ms. Daniels, smiled politely. “Right this way. Mr. Argent’s office is on the top floor. You’ll find no one else up there but him.”
Angela’s heart skipped. The top floor, just Kevin. This was going to be intense.
---
Angela just stepped into the elevator..
The doors slid shut with a soft chime, and just before they did, a hand slipped through. A guy in a fitted navy suit stepped in, slightly breathless.
“Close one,” he said, chuckling. “These elevators don’t wait.”
Angela smiled politely. “Yeah, they really don’t.”
He pressed the button for the 12th floor, then glanced at her. “New face. First day?”
Angela nodded. “Kind of. I’m here for an internship interview… top floor.”
He raised an eyebrow, impressed. “Top floor? That’s Mr. Argent’s territory. You must be special.”
She laughed lightly. “Or just lucky.”
“I’m Cristiano,” he said, offering a handshake. “Marketing department.”
“Angela,” she replied, shaking his hand. “Nice to meet you.”
“You’re brave. Most people don’t even want to *breathe* on that floor unless they’re summoned. Mr. Argent is... intense.”
“I’ve heard,” she said, trying to hide her nervousness.
Cristiano smiled, noticing. “Don’t worry. Just be yourself. He respects confidence. And if it helps, you look more put together than half the employees here already.”
Angela laughed, easing up. “Thank you. That actually helps.”
“So what department are you interning for?”
“Admin, but who knows… maybe I’ll end up in something more exciting.”
He gave her a wink. “With that energy? You might just take over the whole place.”
The elevator chimed. “This is me,” she said, taking a breath.
Cristiano stepped back. “Good luck, Angela. Knock ‘em dead.”
She turned, smiling. “Thanks, Cristiano. I’ll try.”
- Writer
