The Measure of Worth

First Week

Calli took a deep breath as she stepped into the Celistique headquarters. Today was her first day as an intern, and despite trying to stay calm, a knot of nervousness had settled in her stomach.

"I don’t know where to start, but hopefully, I do well in this company."

She repeated the thought to herself like a mantra, hoping it would ease the uncertainty of stepping into this unfamiliar world.

She had been assigned to the Marketing Office, a division that handled everything from promotional materials to campaign visuals. For now, her tasks weren’t too complicated. Printing marketing materials, organizing files, and observing the process.

Her first task of the day had been given by Xinn, a graphic designer of the marketing team.

Xinn was three years older than her, yet they stood at the same height. Her short brown hair framed a cute, youthful face, and there was something effortlessly warm about her demeanor. She was kind and approachable, making it easy to feel at ease around her.

From the moment she stepped into the marketing office, she had taken it upon herself to guide her through everything, patiently walking her through her tasks and ensuring she understood the workflow. She even went out of her way to introduce her to the entire marketing team, making sure she felt included.

As they moved through the department, she pointed out different areas, explaining their functions with an enthusiastic energy that made everything seem less intimidating. There was no arrogance in her tone, no impatience—just a genuine willingness to help.

she found herself grateful for her presence. She seemed like someone she could trust in this unfamiliar environment.

“These need to be printed before the meeting tomorrow morning” Xinn had told her, handing over a flash drive. “It’s nothing too difficult. Just make sure the colors are accurate, and bring them to the conference room before the presentation starts, okay? Thank you, Calli.” Said in a cute and sweet tone.

Calli nodded, grateful that she was being eased into the workload.

Despite being a bit overwhelmed by the high-tech printers and fast-paced environment, she quickly got to work, determined to prove she belonged here.

Little did she know, this meeting would be her first glimpse into how the business world truly operated.

The next day

The conference room exuded an air of quiet sophistication, the walls lined with frosted glass, allowing a faint glow from the city skyline to filter in. The scent of freshly brewed coffee lingered, mingling with the crisp paper of printed reports neatly arranged on the long, polished table.

She sat in the farthest corner, gripping her pen and notebook, her heart thrumming in her chest.The marketing team wants her to be there so she can gain a better understanding of their job. It was her first corporate meeting at Celestique, and she wanted to absorb every detail. The stakes were high, and she wasn’t going to let this opportunity slip through her fingers.

Seated at the head of the table was Mr. Sean Lee, the chairman of Celestique. He was a man in his late sixties, yet his presence alone commanded the room. His neatly combed silver hair and sharp, calculating eyes gave off an air of unwavering authority. Dressed in a dark navy suit with an elegant silver tie, he exuded quiet confidence.

Beside him sat his assistant, Ms. Celeste Ong. A woman in her early fifties, her posture was straight, exuding an air of efficiency and poise. With her sleek shoulder-length black hair and glasses resting neatly on the bridge of her nose, she radiated competence. She was known for her no-nonsense attitude, someone who ensured everything ran smoothly within the company.

To their right sat the Board of Directors, five men and women in tailored business attire, each one looking as composed and professional as expected from individuals of their stature. Their faces were impassive as they listened attentively, occasionally nodding in approval or flipping through the documents in front of them.

Then came the marketing team, led by Ms. Estelle Wong, the Head of Marketing. A woman in her early forties, she had a commanding presence, her dark red lipstick matching the deep burgundy of her fitted blazer. She was a perfectionist, known for her sharp eye for detail and unrelenting standards.

Next to her sat the key marketing leads:

- Ryan Koh, Digital Marketing Manager – A man in his mid-thirties with neatly styled hair and glasses, his fingers tapping lightly against his laptop as he prepared to present the social media campaign.

- Samantha Xinn Lim, Brand Strategist – A cheerful young woman in her mid twenties, her short brown hair perfectly styled.

- David Han, PR Manager– A man in his late twenties, his expression calm but analytical, dressed in a sharp gray suit.

- Felix Ng, Marketing Analyst – The youngest in the group, barely in his mid-twenties, his sharp eyes flicking across the presentation slides, calculating the numbers in his head.

There were thirteen people in the room —including the chairman, his assistant, the board of directors, and the marketing leads.

Calli kept her head down, listening intently as the marketing team presented their strategy for the launch of Celestique’s newest perfume.

---

Ms. Estell Wong Presenting

"Our goal is to position this fragrance as an elegant yet accessible luxury, ensuring it resonates with our target audience while standing out in the market."

First, let’s talk about our brand positioning. Our target market consists of young professionals between the ages of 21 and 35—individuals who appreciate sophistication but also seek affordability. Celestique’s new perfume embodies “elegance in simplicity”—a fragrance that exudes refinement without being overwhelming. We want our customers to feel that luxury is within their reach, making this perfume an essential part of their lifestyle.

---

As the discussion continued, Calli took notes diligently, eager to learn as much as she could. She admired how efficient and methodical the team was, each person presenting their ideas with confidence and precision.

But then, something unsettling caught her attention.

Across the room, sitting at the far-left edge of the table, was a man she didn’t recognize.

He was young, probably mid-twenties, with black hair in comma haircut, sharp features, and fair skin. His lean yet toned frame was accentuated by the crisp fit of his long sleeve polo with black necktie. His posture was relaxed, yet there was an air of quiet intensity about him.

And he was looking at her.

Not just once.

Not twice.

Multiple times.