The Worst Coincidence

I woke up ridiculously early, my body buzzing with excitement like a live wire. Today was my first day at Reed's Global, and sleep had been a lost cause. I couldn't shake the feeling that this was it, the start of something big.

I jumped out of bed and got ready in record time, smoothing my long, wavy brown hair into a neat bun. A quick glance in the mirror and I nodded, satisfied - I looked the part. My outfit was simple, yet professional: a knee-length brown pencil skirt, a cream silk blouse tucked in, brown pointed flats, and a matching brown bag. Safe, but not boring.

As I locked my door, I caught Mary, my elderly neighbor, outside with her fluffy brown cat curled up in her arms. She smiled and wished me luck, and that small gesture warmed my heart. I headed down the long staircase and straight into a waiting taxi.

The drive took an eternity - almost an hour and a half. But I was glad I'd woken up early; showing up late on my first day would've been a disaster. When the taxi finally stopped, I paid the driver and stepped out, gazing up at the massive building before me. Reed's Global was breathtaking - all clean lines, towering glass, and architectural perfection. I took a moment to admire it, feeling my love for design stir quietly inside me.

I walked in, and the lobby didn't disappoint. I approached the receptionist's desk, but she was on the phone, relaying information to some department or other. While I waited, I took in every detail of the interior. Then, her voice cut through my reverie, snapping at me like a whip.

"Are you here to admire the decor or what?" she said, her tone dripping with disdain. "And what's someone like you doing in a place like this?" I looked at her, taken aback. She eyed me with open disgust, chewing gum and picking at her manicured nails, her blouse unbuttoned just a bit too far, her skirt barely modest.

I glanced down at myself, wondering what I'd done wrong. But there was nothing wrong with my appearance. Why did people always feel the need to belittle me? I pushed aside her rudeness and straightened my shoulders, forcing confidence into my voice.

"I'm here for my new job role," I said, looking her straight in the eye. For a moment, she looked confused - then realization hit. "Oh," she said slowly, "you're the one Mrs. Reed hired." Her expression shifted, and she forced a tight smile. "Move to your left. You'll see the elevator. Your office is on the ninety-fifth floor."

I nodded politely, thanked her, and headed toward the elevators, even though she'd already gone back to chatting on her phone, completely unprofessional. I stepped into the elevator on the right and pressed 95. The doors began to close, and then - suddenly - a foot stopped them. Someone stepped inside, and the doors slid shut. I looked up, and my heart dropped like a stone.

Standing in front of me was the same man from that day - the one who'd looked at me with nothing but cruelty. The man whose clothes I'd stained. The man whose cold stare still haunted me. He was looking at me now, his eyes blazing with pure hatred. And in that moment, I knew - this wasn't just a coincidence.