18

Upon my return to the office, my co-workers warmly welcomed me, their gestures accompanied by a collection of intriguing new designs neatly arranged on my desk. Politely, I expressed my gratitude to each of them.

"Welcome back, Ma'am!" Some colleagues addressed me with deep reverence, their acknowledgment reflecting my familial connection as the daughter of the company owner. Despite my assurance that we could adopt a more informal approach, they opted to maintain a degree of formality. Only the manager, true to her role, called me by my name.

"It's wonderful to see you back, Maddie!" Ma'am Ava, the manager of the operations department, greeted me affectionately with a warm hug.

"Thank you, Ma'am Ava," I responded gracefully, settling into my seat. Throughout the day, my colleagues approached me, genuinely curious about my married life and honeymoon. Amusingly, I frequently brushed off their inquiries with light-hearted laughter.

"Surprisingly, you're back," remarked Ma'am Ava. "I hea