CHAPTER 3

Samantha arrived early for work.

"Oh! you're early today Samantha. Good morning. Would you like some coffee?" Kelsey asked offering her a cup of hot coffee.

"Thanks I woke up early that's why I'm here early. By the way Kelsey has Sir CEO arrived yet?" She asked taking the coffee from Kelsey's hand.

"Not yet he usually arrives at 8:00 am is everything okay?" Kelsey replied and curious.

"Oh! everything's fine. Just wondering" She said casually.

"Let's wait for our team to gather and start the meeting about the project" Kelsey suggested.

"Sounds good" She replied, focusing on her computer work.

[CEO arrival]

As Yzak arrived at the office the employees greeted him in unison.

"Good morning sir."

"Secretary how's the project I assigned to the marketing department coming along?" he asked.

"They're still working on it sir" the secretary replied.

"Alright, then. Tell them to finish it within three days and tell miss Samantha to come to my office to report on the project's progress now" he instructed.

"Yes, sir" the secretary replied.

[Meeting with the CEO]

After arriving at his office he removed his black blazer suit and sat down at his desk facing his computer. A few minutes later the door opened and Samantha entered standing in front of him.

"Good morning, sir" she greeted looking directly at him.

He gazed at her eyes with his expression serious.

"Report on the project I've assigned to your team" he said.

"Yes, sir" She replied, handing the files on him about containing the project's details.

As She reported, he couldn't help but look at her face. He was captivated by her confidence and professionalism.

After an hour she finished her report and he was impressed.

"Alright, Go back to work and prepare your team for this project" he said in a cold tone.

"Y-yes, sir. Thank you" She replied, seemingly unsure of what to expect.

She felt nervous wondering why he hadn't mentioned the previous night's incident.

"A-and by the way, sir CEO I'm sorry about what happened last night. I got an emergency call and didn't get a chance to say goodbye. Sorry, sir" she explained.

"Forget it. You don't need to explain. Go back to work" he replied, his expression still serious.

"Yes, sir. Thank you" She said before leaving the office.

After the meeting She returned to her team at the marketing department area.

"Really, Samantha? The CEO liked our project?" Kelsey asked excitedly.

"Ssh, quiet down Kelsey. We're at work. And yes he said we need to prepare for this project" She replied.

"Well, congratulations to us and our leader Samantha! Keep it up, Samantha. We count on you" Dave said her coworker in department.

[Yzak's Reaction]

After Samantha left his office he smiled impressed by her skills.

"Samantha Lynn, you've grown up now. I never thought you'd work at my company"

he said to himself smirking as he looked at her application form.

After lunch, the marketing team continued working on the project assigned by the CEO.

While facing her computer her phone suddenly rang. She checked the caller ID and saw Eldrick's name.

"Eldrick" she whispered, reading the text message.

"I'm glad mom is okay!"

She smiled, remembering he's promise to text her about her mother's condition.

The workday ended early and She headed home.

On her way her phone rang again. After reading the text message she quickly entered her apartment dropped her belongings and rushed out to Flushing Meadows-Corona Park.

When she arrived at the park she saw her mother waiting for her looking happy and healthy. She ran towards her mother and hugged her tightly.

"Mom" she said, embracing her mother after a long time.

"Oh, dear Samantha, I miss you so much" her mother replied.

As She hugged her mother she noticed Eldrick standing aside watching them. She released her mother from the hug and turned to face him.

"Thank you for helping and bringing Mom to see me" She said, bowing her head in front of him to show her gratitude.

"Your mom wanted to see you and it made her happy" he replied.

She spent an hour with her mom in Flushing Meadows-Corona Park a rare opportunity for them to see each other. Due to her stepfather's strict rules they had to keep their meetings a secret.

The next day, She focused on her work with her team in the marketing department. With the project deadline approaching they worked diligently often staying late in the building.

After two days of intense work Kelsey said,

"We're almost done. Just a little more and tomorrow we'll report to Sir Yzak. We need to be prepared."

Kelsey leaned back in her chair and spun around. Dave chimed in,

"Keep it up, guys! We can do this!" He raised his hand in encouragement.

The team cheered and She couldn't help but smile. She felt lucky to have such supportive teammates who didn't pressure her and made work enjoyable.

"Well good luck tomorrow guys. Good luck, Samantha. We can do this!"

Kelsey exclaimed standing up and cheering everyone on.