My Corporate Affair

Chapter Seventeen

Elliot

I walked into the meeting room and took my usual seat at the head of the table. The team was already gathered, and Sophie was there, as usual, looking focused. She was already in the middle of discussing some of the project details with the rest of the group. I could tell from the way she spoke that she had thought about every angle, and she wasn’t afraid to voice her opinion. As soon as they saw me, they all stood up.

"Alright," I began, esturing for them to sit down. "We need to come up with solutions that won’t just push the project forward, but also stay within budget. Sophie, you’ve been tracking the numbers, right? What do you suggest?"

She glanced up from her notes, giving a quick nod before speaking confidently. "Yes. I think we need to reduce the marketing costs a bit. By reallocating some of that to production, we can ensure the timeline stays on track and the final product doesn’t lose quality. I’ve crunched the numbers, and this could save us a significant amount without compromising anything important."

Her voice was steady, and she made her point clearly. I could see the others listening carefully, nodding along.

"That’s a strong suggestion," I said, looking at the rest of the team. "But we can’t forget about the long-term marketing plan. If we cut too much, we risk losing visibility. James, what do you think?"

James, one of the senior members of the team, spoke up. "I agree with Sophie. But we need to be careful not to cut the marketing budget too drastically. We don’t want to hurt the brand’s presence in the market."

"Exactly," I said. "So Sophie, what can we do to find a balance here?"

Sophie didn’t hesitate. "I think we can focus more on digital marketing. It's cheaper but more targeted, which could give us a better return on investment without needing a bigger budget."

I raised an eyebrow, impressed. "Smart move. We can get better results and save costs at the same time. Alright, anyone else have thoughts?"

The conversation flowed from there, with everyone throwing in ideas, but I kept coming back to Sophie’s approach. She wasn’t just going along with the plan; she was steering it, offering solutions I hadn’t even considered.

"Alright, I think we’re on the right track," I said as the meeting wrapped up. "Everyone, great ideas. Sophie, I have to say, you’ve really pushed this in the right direction. Keep it up."

Her expression softened a little, a modest smile tugging at her lips. "Thanks, sir."

I couldn’t help but feel a small smile tug at the corner of my mouth as I watched her leave the room. It wasn’t just that her ideas were solid, it was the way she spoke, so confident yet down-to-earth. She wasn’t trying to impress anyone; she was just being herself.

Sophie....

The moment I stepped into the office the next morning, I could feel the eyes on me. It wasn’t a new feeling. People had been noticing me more lately, especially after that big project meeting, but today felt different. The whispers, the side glances, the quiet chuckles from the other interns, it all added up.

I caught the other interns, and the moment they saw me, the conversation quickly shifted. I knew they weren’t talking about the project anymore. The tension in the air was thick, and I couldn’t ignore it. I forced a smile as I passed by them, but the uncomfortable feeling only grew as I made my way to my desk.

Mia caught up with me after. “Hey, Sophie,” she said in a low voice, as if she didn’t want anyone to hear her. “Don’t pay any attention to them.”

I looked at her, confused. “What do you mean? What’s going on?”

She glanced around before pulling me aside. “Some of the other interns are... well, they're jealous. You’ve been getting a lot of attention, especially after that last meeting. People are starting to talk.”

I sighed, feeling the weight of her words. I had hoped it wouldn’t happen, that I could just blend in, keep my head down, and focus on my work. But that wasn’t going to happen. “It’s just the project... I’m just doing my job,” I muttered, looking at the ground.

Mia smiled softly, putting a reassuring hand on my shoulder. “I know, but that’s the thing. You’re doing your job really well. And some people don’t like seeing others do better than them. But Sophie, you’ve worked hard for this. Don’t let anyone’s gossip get to you.”

I couldn’t deny that part of me wanted to just blend in, but Mia was right. I worked hard. I had a family to support, and this job, this opportunity, meant everything to me. “But what if it gets worse?” I asked, my voice barely above a whisper. “What if I can’t handle it?”

Mia’s expression softened, and she squeezed my shoulder. “You can handle it. And you’re doing it for a reason, right? For your family. For your grandma. Don’t let anyone make you feel small for working your hardest. Keep your focus on why you’re here. No one else’s opinion matters.” I had told Mia about the problems I had and my reasons there. She was the closest to me and I fel grateful she listened to me all the time.

Her words were soothing to my anxiety. I nodded, feeling a little more at ease. "Thanks, Mia."

She smiled and gave me a wink. "Anytime. Now, go and show them what you're made of."

As I returned to my desk, my thoughts drifted to my family, to Grandma and Mom. This job, this chance, it wasn’t just for me. It was for them. The pressure was heavy, but I had to keep pushing forward. I couldn’t afford to be distracted, not now.

Elliot....

I could feel it the moment I walked into the office: something was off with Sophie. She had been more confident than I had seen her before, but today, there was a shift in her energy. She was quieter, more withdrawn. It was clear she was trying to keep it together, but I knew something was bothering her.

I watched her out of the corner of my eye as she worked, and a part of me wanted to ask if everything was alright, but I didn’t. I didn’t want to seem like I was intruding. It wasn’t like me to get involved in personal matters, especially with someone like Sophie. Yet, I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was weighing on her.

I could tell she was trying to push through it, trying to maintain the professionalism she had always shown, but I wasn’t fooled. She was distracted.

Later that afternoon, after another project meeting, I noticed Sophie didn’t stick around to chat like usual. She left quickly, and that was unlike her. It didn’t sit well with me. I was going to hve a word with her.

A few minutes later, Sophie appeared in my doorway, her expression unreadable as she stood there, a little hesitant.. She’d always been so composed, but today… not so much.

“Come in, Sophie,” I said, trying to sound casual.

She stepped inside, closing the door behind her, and I motioned for her to take a seat. I was going to keep this professional, but there was something I couldn’t shake, something was wrong.

She sat down in the chair across from me, her posture stiff, like she was trying to hold herself together. She wasn’t meeting my eyes

“Sophie,” I started, leaning forward slightly. “Are you alright?”

She flinched, and it was the smallest thing, but it hit me harder than I expected.

“I’m fine, sir,” she said, her voice betraying her. Her words were tight like she was trying to hold something back.

“Don’t lie to me, Sophie,” I replied, keeping my voice soft, but firm. I wasn’t buying it. “You don’t have to pretend with me.”

For a moment, there was silence. She sat there, hands clasped in her lap, eyes on the floor. I could see how hard she was trying to hold it together, but I knew she was about to crack.

And then, it happened.

She suddenly looked up, and for the first time, I saw the frustration and sadness in her eyes. Before I could react, her emotions spilled out. “I don’t know what to do anymore, Sir ,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper. “Everything is just… it’s too much. I’m trying to keep my head down, trying to focus, but they’re making it impossible. I’ve worked so hard to be here, to prove myself, and all I get are whispers behind my back. I don’t know how much longer I can keep up with this.”