Chapter:2 The Three New Interns
1095 Words
“…Maybe.”
Nora’s eyes narrowed.
“Oh?”
Aliya’s smile disappeared.
“What?”
“That was not the face of someone remembering the drinks.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
Nora leaned closer, studying her face.
“Why are you blushing?”
“I’m not.”
“You are.”
“I’m not!”
Nora grinned.
“Oh my God. You met someone.”
Aliya immediately looked away.
“I did not.”
“You absolutely did.”
“Nora…”
“Who was he?”
“Nobody.”
“Then why are you blushing?”
Aliya grabbed the glass of water and took a long sip, refusing to meet her eyes.
Nora stared at her.
Then she burst into a grin.
“Aliya James, did you actually flirt with a man last night?”
Aliya nearly choked on her water.
“I did not flirt!”
Nora laughed.
“Okay, okay. So what did he do?”
Aliya said nothing.
Nora’s grin widened.
“Oh, this is interesting.”
“It’s not.”
“Uh-huh.”
Aliya rolled her eyes.
“Can we please talk about something else?”
“Fine.”
Nora paused.
“But I’m coming back to this later.”
Aliya groaned.
Nora only laughed before disappearing into the hallway.
For a moment, Aliya remained where she was, staring at the door.
Then she glanced at the clock.
7:03 a.m.
Her eyes widened.
“Oh, crap.”
She hurried into the bathroom.
Twenty minutes later, Aliya stood in front of the mirror, trying to make herself look like someone who had gotten more than four hours of sleep.
It wasn’t working.
The concealer helped, but not enough to completely hide the dark circles beneath her eyes. Her face still carried the exhaustion of too many late nights at the office—and the consequences of Sunday’s drinks weren’t doing her any favors.
She pulled her hair into a neat low bun, slipped on a pair of simple earrings, and stared at herself one last time.
Professional.
Presentable.
Barely alive.
“Good enough.”
She grabbed her handbag and hurried out.
“Nora!”
“I’m in the kitchen!”
Aliya found her best friend standing by the counter with a plate of toast and eggs.
Nora looked her over.
“Wow.”
“What?”
“You almost look human.”
Aliya rolled her eyes.
“Thank you for your support.”
“I try.”
Nora pushed the plate toward her.
“Eat.”
“I’ll eat at work.”
“No.”
“Nora—”
“You’re not going into Vanguard Crest on an empty stomach with a hangover.”
Aliya sighed but took the plate.
“You’re becoming very bossy.”
“Someone has to be.”
Aliya ate quickly, grabbed her coffee, and headed for the door.
Nora followed her.
“Aliya.”
“What?”
“Don’t work until midnight today.”
Aliya gave her a look.
“I’ll try.”
“That wasn’t convincing.”
“I said I’ll try.”
“And stay away from alcohol for at least a week.”
Aliya smiled faintly.
“Deal.”
Nora folded her arms.
“And if you meet that mystery man again—”
Aliya’s smile vanished.
“Nora.”
“I’m just saying.”
“I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
“Sure.”
Aliya shook her head and stepped into the hallway.
Behind her, Nora called out.
“Have a good day, workaholic!”
Aliya didn’t turn around.
But she smiled.
________
By the time Aliya stepped into Vanguard Crest Holdings, the city had already come alive.
The towering glass building reflected the morning sun, its polished lobby filled with employees moving in every direction.
Aliya walked through the revolving doors, her heels clicking against the marble floor.
Immediately, she felt different.
This was where she belonged.
Her exhaustion disappeared beneath years of routine.
She greeted the receptionist, checked her phone, and headed toward the elevators.
The moment the doors opened on her floor, she stepped out.
“Good morning, Ms. James.”
“Morning.”
“Good morning, Aliya.”
“Morning.”
She barely slowed down.
Her assistant hurried after her with a tablet.
“You have the department briefing at eight, the intern orientation at nine, and—”
“Intern orientation?”
Aliya stopped.
“Yes.”
She turned.
“What interns?”
Her assistant blinked.
“The three new interns.”
Aliya frowned.
She had completely forgotten.
Then her phone vibrated.
An email.
She opened it.
EXECUTIVE NOTICE
Her eyes moved across the screen.
Mr. Evan Carter will be returning to headquarters today.
Aliya’s stomach tightened.
Evan Carter.
The CEO.
The man whose presence alone could silence an entire conference room.
He had been away for months, handling business overseas, leaving the company in the hands of the senior executives.
Now he was coming back.
Today.
Aliya locked her phone.
“Perfect.”
Her assistant looked at her.
“Ma’am?”
“Nothing.”
She walked toward her office.
Three interns.
A CEO returning from a long business trip.
A department briefing.
And an inbox that was already overflowing.
It was going to be a long day.
At exactly nine o’clock, Aliya walked into the conference room.
The three interns were already there.
That was a good start.
She paused at the doorway, taking them in.
One young man sat with his back straight, both hands resting neatly on the table. He looked nervous enough to memorize the company handbook overnight.
The girl beside him was scrolling through something on her tablet, though she quickly locked the screen when Aliya entered.
The third intern—
Aliya frowned.
He was looking out through the glass wall, completely distracted by the view of Manhattan.
Aliya checked the file in her hand.
Three interns.
She stepped inside.
“Good morning.”
All three immediately straightened.
“Good morning, ma’am.”
Aliya placed the files on the table.
“I’m Aliya James. I’m the Corporate Strategy Manager, and for the duration of your internship, you’ll be working under my department.”
The nervous-looking boy nodded quickly.
“Yes, ma’am.”
Aliya glanced at him.
“Your name?”
“Noah Brooks.”
She nodded and looked at the girl.
“Yours?”
“Mia Bennett.”
“Welcome, Mia.”
“Thank you, ma’am.”
Aliya’s gaze shifted to the last intern.
He was still looking toward the window.
“Mr.?”
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