The First Call

Doris adjusted her grip on her bag as she stood in front of the door. She took a small breath before knocking lightly.

“Come in,” a voice said from inside.

She pushed the door open and stepped in, her eyes immediately landing on the two women seated behind the table. They were already gathering their papers, stacking files like they were done for the day.

One of them looked up, clearly surprised to see her.

“Oh,” she said, pausing. “Are you here for the interview?”

Doris nodded quickly. “Yes, ma’am. I’m here for the interview.”

The two women exchanged a glance, and the second one leaned back slightly in her chair.

“We thought we were done for today,” she said. “The position you applied for has already been filled.”

The words landed quietly, but Doris felt them immediately. Her fingers tightened slightly around her bag, but she did not argue.

“I understand,” she said softly.

She gave a small nod and turned slightly, ready to leave. It wasn’t new to her. Things not working out the way she hoped had become almost familiar.

“Wait.”

She paused.

The first woman looked at her again, this time more carefully.

“There is one position still open,” she said slowly. “It’s not the one you applied for, though.”

Doris turned back fully.

“What position is that?” she asked.

“The CEO’s assistant.”

Doris blinked once. That was not what she expected, but it was still a job.

Before she could respond, the second woman leaned closer to the first and whispered something under her breath.

“Are you sure she can handle it?”

Doris heard it.

And for a moment, something in her tightened.

She did not know what exactly the job involved, but the tone alone made it clear that it was not something easy. Still, she did not allow herself to think too deeply about it.

She straightened slightly.

“Yes, I can take it,” she said quickly. “I can do the job. I can take anything, please.”

The two women looked at her again, this time studying her properly.

“Are you sure?” one of them asked. “This role is not simple. It requires patience and… a strong mind.”

Doris gave a small nod, her expression firm.

“Yes, ma’am. I’m sure.”

There was no hesitation in her voice because there could not be.

The women exchanged another look before the first one nodded.

“Alright. You start tomorrow.”

Doris blinked again, just to be certain she heard correctly.

“Tomorrow?” she repeated.

“Yes,” the woman said. “And make sure you come early.”

A small smile appeared on Doris’s face before she could stop it.

“Thank you,” she said quickly. “Thank you so much.”

She picked up her bag properly and turned toward the door again, this time with a different feeling in her chest.

The next morning, Doris arrived earlier than she had ever arrived anywhere in her life.

She stood outside the building for a brief moment, adjusting her bag and smoothing down her clothes before walking in.

Everything felt quieter at that hour, but still just as organized.

At the reception, she gave her name, and the receptionist nodded immediately.

“Oh, the new assistant,” she said. “You’re early.”

Doris gave a small, polite smile. “Yes, ma’am.”

“Good,” the receptionist replied. “Someone will show you your office.”

Moments later, she was led through a hallway and into a smaller office space.

“This is yours,” the woman said simply before leaving.

Doris stepped inside slowly.

For a moment, she just stood there, taking everything in.

The office was not large, but everything inside it was carefully arranged. The desk was neat, the chair placed perfectly, and even the files on the shelf looked like they had been positioned with intention.

Nothing felt out of place.

It made her suddenly aware of herself again, like she had to match the order of the room.

She walked further in and placed her bag gently on the table before sitting down.

Her fingers rested lightly on the desk as she looked around again.

“Hmm… this place is serious,” she murmured quietly.

She leaned back slightly in the chair, letting out a small breath.

Then, almost without thinking, she closed her eyes briefly.

“God… thank you,” she whispered.

She was not the most religious person, but at that moment, it felt right to say it.

“Even if it’s small… thank you,” she added softly.

She opened her eyes again and sat properly, trying to settle into the space.

At first, the office outside was busy. People moved around, voices overlapped, phones rang, and everything felt normal in a way she could understand.

She listened quietly, observing, trying to get used to the environment.

Then, after a while, something changed.

She did not notice it immediately, but the noise began to reduce.

Conversations became quieter, movements slowed down.

And then, almost all at once, everything went silent.

Doris frowned slightly.

“That’s strange,” she muttered under her breath.

She sat up a little straighter, trying to understand what was happening, but before she could figure it out, the phone on her desk rang.

The sudden sound made her jump slightly.

“Ah okay, calm down,” she whispered to herself quickly.

She reached for the phone and picked it up, bringing it to her ear.

“Hello?”

There was no greeting on the other end.

“Come to my office now.”

The line went dead immediately.

Doris slowly pulled the phone away from her ear and stared at it for a second.

“…Okay,” she murmured.

She placed it back on the receiver carefully and stood up.

Her heartbeat had picked up slightly, but she ignored it.

Whatever this job was, it had just started and she had already been called.

Without wasting time, she adjusted her clothes, picked up her composure, and walked out of the office.

Toward the boss’s office.