Beyond The Shadows

First impression

Third person POV-

As he stepped onto the office floor, the air was filled with hushed murmurs, bursts of laughter, and the occasional whisper of gossip from the women around. It was his first day at the company, and while the environment wasn't overtly hostile, he could sense the chilly glances from the higher-ups, their disapproval palpable.

He was the sole breadwinner for his family—his mother and younger sister, who lived in a cramped village house in Chiang Mai, while he sought employment in bustling Bangkok. Just a month ago, he had graduated under challenging circumstances, juggling college with two part-time jobs to make ends meet.

His late nights were spent buried in textbooks, but all that effort paid off when he landed a job immediately after graduation.

Initially, his mother worked the farms to support them, but her health deteriorated from the relentless labor. Stepping up, he took on the role of guardian for the two most important women in his life. From that point on, he balanced the burden of his family's expenses in Chiang Mai with his own, often skimping on meals or going hungry to ensure he could send sufficient funds home.

He lived with a distant relative on his father's side—a widow with no children—whose kindness was as scarce as her patience. At first, he struggled to pay her rent, but her demeanor shifted dramatically after he secured his job two days ago, as if the promise of financial stability had suddenly softened her heart.

Taking a deep breath to steady himself, he stepped into the bustling main hall, where a maze of stalls stood, each marked with its own purpose. Among them, his own stall awaited, as designated by his boss. He had been given a brief overview of his duties, but now it was time to fully embrace his role as the Designing Assistant.

He made his way directly to the director's office. After a soft knock on the glass door, a voice from within called out, "Come in."

"Good morning, Sir," he said, bowing with practiced grace. The warm reception from the others in the room was a comforting sign.

"Ah, Mr. Anol, punctual as ever," Mr. Joong archen  remarked with a friendly glance at his watch, a smile playing on his lips.

"Timeliness is not just a duty for me; it's a promise," he responded confidently, his tone firm and assured. The older man returned the gesture, rising from his chair, adjusting his coat, and approaching the younger with a nod.

"Let's get started by introducing you to the rest of the team," Mr.Joong said, leading the way as the others followed silently.

The office was a hive of activity, each staff member engrossed in their tasks, fingers flying over keyboards. Mr. joong's gaze swept over the scene with a sense of pride in his team's diligent efforts.

He rapped gently on the desk to capture their attention.

"Good morning, Sir," the team chorused in unison, their voices a blend of respect and routine. Mr. joong responded with a warm greeting, his eyes scanning the room with satisfaction.

"So, here's your new teammate, starting today. Please give a warm welcome to Mr. Anol," Mr. joong announced, gesturing toward Uea.

The young man took a deep breath, then stepped forward. "Hi everyone, I'm Uea Anol. I'm excited to be joining you all. Please be kind to me," he said, flashing a charming smile.

The room erupted in reactions—several girls let out appreciative coos, a few of the guys whistled, and the rest offered nods of acknowledgment.

"Aww, he's absolutely adorable," one of the girls exclaimed. She was striking in a pastel pink crop top and a skirt, her entire demeanor exuding a sweet charm.