chapter 3

KIMBERLY'S POV

"Have a seat, Miss Gilbert." The head of department said. I pulled up a chair and sat down nervously.

The whole environment seemed so cold.

"So here is your office seat number. Get acquainted with your colleagues and strive to do your best here, because we only want the best." He said.

I looked at his office name tag on the desk. Mr. Williams. That's his name.

"Thank you, Mr. Williams. I'll do my best to make the company proud." I said, and he dismissed me, still looking displeased.

I left his office to find my own.

As I walked down the hall, people kept staring at me. I knew it was because I was the new face.

When I sighted my office corner, I excitedly pulled out the chair and sat down, admiring the space.

Wow. Nice feeling. Though I would have loved a spinning chair.

"Hello. You must be new. I'm Ashley." A blonde girl said from her office corner, peeping into mine.

Everyone's offices were interlinked.

We could all see each other if standing, with only short brick demarcations separating us.

"Hi. I'm Kimberly. Nice to meet you." I said, and she smiled. Okay. She seems nicer than the others.

"Let's get lunch together today so you can introduce yourself to everyone." She said, then sat back down.

Introduce myself to everyone. Okay. Easy task.

I brought out personal items from my bag to decorate my desk. A picture of my late parents, for strength. A snow globe with a dancing princess inside, a gift from my aunt. A lucky charm sticker from my twin siblings.

After settling in and getting comfortable, someone dropped a pile of files on my desk and told me to review them quickly.

They outlined the department's recent visions and plans.

I studied them eagerly, not wanting to fall behind.

Wow, that's a lot.

"Hey, newcomer, time for lunch. Let's go." Ashley said. "Okay, okay." I packed up and joined her.

~~

We headed to the cafeteria with trays in hand.

All the food looked delicious..better than anything I'd seen, let alone tasted.

"Wow." I said out loud. "What?" Ashley asked.

"The food, it looks and smells so delicious." I said, and she chuckled.

"You're just saying that because you're hungry. They do serve tasty food here, though. The chef is one of the best in the country." She said after loading her tray.

She made her way to a table full of coworkers, and I followed.

"Hello, guys. This is Kimberly, the new girl." Ashley introduced me.

"Hi." I said, waving.

Some smiled or nodded; others ignored me. "So, what's your last name?" One girl asked.

I remembered her. she'd ignored my first question when I arrived.

"Gilbert." I answered.

"I don't know any 'Gilbert' around here who's important. So how exactly did you get hired? Not because of your experience or education those are a letdown. I saw your file." She said with a fake smile.

"Beatrice, stop it. I didn't bring her here for you to insult her."Ashley defended me.

"I wasn't insulting her. Just stating facts. You didn't take it the wrong way, did you?" Beatrice asked me innocently.

"No. Of course not. It's fine." I lied.

I think I'll stay far away from her. Typical mean girl. Cliché.

The rest of lunch, I stayed quiet, observing conversations while savoring the best food I'd ever had. Sorry, Mom. I loved your cooking too

.

After lunch, we returned to the office.

I wanted to call Serena and ease her worries, so I stepped out briefly.

{Hi! How's it going? Tell me everything! Are you even supposed to be calling now? Isn't this work hours?} She asked me rapidly.

{It is. I just wanted to hear your voice—and for you to hear mine. It's great here. Everything's just like I imagined.} I said.

{Wonderful! I can't wait for details. Glad you're living your dream. But don't get distracted and fired on day one. Get back to work!!} She yelled playfully.

{Okay, okay. Geez. See you at home.} I said, ending the call with a smile.

I turned to see Mr. Williams and two tall men stepping out of the elevator, heading my way.

Oh no. He caught me outside.

And whoa, who are these two handsome guys with him?

They might be workers too.

But they looked too confident and proud for that.

Wait... one seemed very familiar, like I'd seen him before.

"Miss Gilbert. Shouldn't you be working in the office?" Mr. Williams asked. I panicked.

"Umm, yes. That's why I'm heading back now."

I said, darting into the elevator.

But Mr. Williams and the two men joined me.

I stood behind them silently, studying the men, especially the familiar one. Wait... I think I remember him. The interview day. The man I locked eyes with for a couple of minutes.

That's him.

Did he recognize me?

Probably not.

I wondered who he was and what he did here.

"I believe this is your stop."

Mr. Williams said as we reached the 19th floor.

"Oh, yeah. Aren't you getting off too, sir?" I asked, stepping out.

I glanced at the familiar man, his eyes were fixed on me. I looked away quickly, focusing on Mr. Williams.

"I have other business." He said.

I nodded, glancing at the men before the doors closed.

Okay. That was weird.

~

Back at my desk, I finished the files.

It took forever, but I completed the day's tasks.

At 4 p.m., everyone packed up and left.

I grabbed my bag and headed out.

In the driveway, I saw coworkers climbing into their cars and driving off.

Wow. Everyone here has a car.

I walked to the street and caught a taxi to the bus station.

"Here is your food, dear." My aunt served me a delicious plate.

"Thank you." I said.

"Why didn't I get that much?" My brother Bryan whined.

"Because you're not the one who got the job, dufus." Bailey said.

"Yeah, whatever." Bryan replied.

"So, how was it overall?"My aunt asked.

"Interesting. Met people with all kinds of personalities." I said, munching.

"Good first day?" Bailey asked.

"Yeah. It started weird but got easier. Tomorrow should be even better." I said, and she nodded.

"How are your coworkers?" My aunt asked.

"I'm still figuring them out. But I think I made one friend." I said, and she smiled.

"I'm happy to hear that." She replied.

~~

After dinner, I went straight to bed.

My mind kept drifting to the handsome guy from earlier.

Why was I so curious about him?

He probably didn't even know I existed.

~