Office Desires

1. First Day

Lou stepped into the bustling lobby of the prestigious New York City publishing firm, her heart quickening with excitement and trepidation.

At only  28 years old, she was about to start her new job as an editor. It was a role that demanded meticulous attention to detail, a keen eye for spotting potential bestsellers, and the finesse to guide authors through the often grueling process of refining their manuscripts. Lou relished the thought of diving into this literary world, where words held the power to transport readers to far-off lands, stir their deepest emotions, and challenge their perspectives.

As she strolled through the labyrinthine hallways, her black leather loafers tapping a confident rhythm on the polished marble floors, Lou couldn't help but notice the intricate dance of work and ambition that permeated the firm. It was a world where a well-chosen word could make or break careers, where manuscripts were dissected with surgical precision, and where the weight of a single edit could determine the fate of a story.

Her new office, although not the grandest, bore the promise of countless stories waiting to be molded and refined. The shelves were lined with books of every genre, each one a testament to the power of storytelling.

The blonde had barely settled into her new office when she heard a knock on the door. She looked up to see a woman with warm, intelligent eyes and an air of efficiency about her.

"Hey, my name is Amita, you must be Louise Miller, our newest addition ?" Amita greeted her with a friendly smile as she stepped into the room.

Lou returned the smile, standing to greet her. "Yes, that's me. But you can call me Lou." She replied, extending a hand for a firm handshake. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Amita."

"Likewise, Lou. Welcome to the team. I heard you'll be working closely with Mrs. Ocean herself ..." She added, her tone laced with a touch of curiosity.

Lou nodded, her eyes flickering with excitement. "Yes, I'm thrilled about it. It's a fantastic opportunity. I've always been passionate about editing and helping authors shape their stories."

"Well, you're in the right place then. Miss Ocean is quite particular about her projects, but she's also got a knack for spotting talent."

Lou leaned against her desk, her curiosity piqued. "I've heard she's a bit of a legend in the publishing world. Even though she hired me without even meeting me."

"What ? You haven't met her yet ?" Amita  was definitely surprised.

"No... my job interview was with human resources, and I think Miss Ocean just liked what they said about me..."

Amita chuckled softly. "Yeah, you must have impressed her enough for her to not even want to meet you, and impressing Mrs. Ocean isn't easy..."

"Really ?"

"Yep....but here's a piece of advice: be meticulous. She values attention to detail above all else. If you can catch things that others might miss, you'll earn her respect."

Lou nodded thoughtfully. "Noted."

Amita's smile widened. "I have no doubt you'll do just fine, Lou. And if you ever need anything or have questions, don't hesitate to reach out. I'm here to help. Oh, by the way, I'm her assistant, so I'll tell her you've arrived."

Lou appreciated the warm welcome and the helpful insight. "Thank you, Amita. I appreciate that. I'm looking forward to getting started."

"Okay, so here's a plan of the building. It's  a labyrinth, so you might get lost. Do you want me to give you a tour ?

"Hum,  sure, why not ?"

Amita chuckled, leading Lou out of her office and into the bustling hallways of the publishing firm. "Don't worry; you'll get the hang of it in no time. We've all been lost in here at some point." She said with a warm smile.