Behind the Glass Walls
981 Words
Chapter 2: Behind the Glass Walls
Elena barely slept that night.
She kept replaying the moment in her mind.
You’re hired.
Those two words felt like a miracle.
Before sunrise, she was already awake, ironing her blouse carefully and fixing the loose button with thread. She tied her hair neatly and put on the same black shoes she had polished three times.
Her mother smiled from the bed.
“You look like a businesswoman already.”
Elena laughed softly. “I only look expensive from far away.”
Her mother reached for her hand. “No, anak. You look like a woman ready to change her life.”
Elena kissed her forehead.
“I’ll come home with good stories tonight.”
Vale Enterprises looked even bigger in the morning light.
Employees entered confidently with ID cards around their necks and coffee cups in hand. Elena followed them nervously, trying not to appear lost.
At the reception desk, the same woman from yesterday handed her a temporary pass.
“Human Resources. Floor twelve.”
This time, the woman’s tone was less cold.
Elena stepped into the elevator with five other employees dressed in expensive suits. She stood quietly in the corner, clutching her bag.
When the doors opened, a cheerful woman with curly hair waved at her.
“You must be the new girl!”
Elena blinked. “Yes.”
“I’m Nina from HR. Come with me before they throw you into the lion’s den.”
“The what?”
“The executive floor.”
Elena almost choked.
After paperwork, forms, and quick orientation, Nina led her to the highest floor.
The elevator doors opened into silence.
The executive level was sleek, elegant, and intimidating. Glass walls surrounded private offices. Assistants typed quietly. Phones rang softly. Every person looked busy and serious.
“This is where mistakes go to die,” Nina whispered dramatically.
Elena stared. “You’re joking... right?”
Nina grinned. “Mostly.”
She pointed to a desk outside a large office with dark wooden doors.
“That’s your station.”
Elena slowly looked at the name engraved beside the door.
ADRIAN VALE – CEO
Her heart dropped into her stomach.
“I work... here?”
“Direct assistant,” Nina said proudly. “Congratulations. Try not to cry.”
Before Elena could respond, the office door opened.
Adrian Vale stepped out.
The entire floor became even quieter.
He wore a charcoal suit perfectly tailored to his tall frame. His expression was unreadable, his presence commanding.
His sharp eyes landed on Elena.
“You’re late.”
She froze. “Sir, it’s seven fifty-eight.”
He checked his watch.
“Then be earlier tomorrow.”
And just like that, he walked past her.
Nina leaned close. “Welcome to the lion.”
The day was chaos.
Elena answered calls, carried files, organized schedules, and tried to understand the speed of corporate life. Adrian expected everything immediately.
“Coffee.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Meeting notes.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Why is this folder blue?”
“I... don’t know, sir.”
“Find out.”
“Yes, sir.”
By noon, Elena felt like she had run a marathon in heels.
Still, she refused to complain.
She remembered every unpaid bill at home.
She remembered why she was here.
At lunch, other assistants gathered in the pantry.
One woman glanced at Elena’s simple clothes.
“So you’re the new assistant.”
Elena smiled politely. “Yes.”
Another whispered loudly, “How did she get hired?”
They laughed.
Elena lowered her eyes and ate quietly.
Nina sat beside her and rolled her eyes.
“Don’t mind them. Some people think wealth is a personality.”
Elena smiled gratefully.
That afternoon, Adrian called her into his office.
She stepped inside carefully.
The room was massive, with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the city. Shelves lined the walls. Everything was neat, expensive, controlled.
Like him.
He didn’t look up from the documents in his hand.
“You typed the meeting summary?”
“Yes, sir.”
“It had three formatting errors.”
“I’m sorry, sir.”
“Sorry does not fix mistakes.”
She swallowed hard.
“No, sir.”
Finally, he looked at her.
Most employees looked afraid under his stare.
Elena looked nervous—but steady.
“Why are you still standing here?” he asked.
“Because I’m waiting for your next instruction.”
Something unreadable flickered in his eyes.
Then he handed her the papers.
“Correct it. Return in ten minutes.”
“Yes, sir.”
She turned to leave.
“Miss Cruz.”
She stopped.
“Yes?”
“Do not apologize so much.”
She blinked. “Sir?”
“It wastes time.”
He returned to his work.
Elena walked out confused.
But strangely... smiling.
The office emptied after sunset.
Elena was still organizing tomorrow’s files when she noticed Adrian’s office light remained on.
She hesitated, then knocked lightly.
“Enter.”
Inside, he stood by the window, looking over the glowing city.
“You’re still here,” he said.
“I needed to finish tomorrow’s schedule.”
“Most people leave the second they can.”
“I’m not most people.”
For the first time, the corner of his mouth lifted.
A small smile.
It changed his whole face.
Elena’s heart stumbled.
He turned serious again.
“Go home, Miss Cruz.”
“Yes, sir.”
As she reached the door, his voice stopped her.
“You did better than I expected today.”
She turned in surprise.
“Thank you, sir.”
She left before he could see how happy those words made her.
Alone again, Adrian looked at the closed door.
Then at the city lights.
Then back at the door.
For years, nothing in this office had surprised him.
Until Elena Cruz walked in.
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