Don't You Dare

Chapter 3: Unresolved Tensions

Monday October 16th, 2023 Continued...

The conference room at Crowe & Lancaster was a pristine glass box perched high above Manhattan, offering breathtaking views of the bustling city below. Andrea stood near the entrance, clutching her notebook, her heart racing. It was only her first day, and everything felt surreal. The HR orientation had barely ended before she was ushered into this room for her first meeting with the firm's top attorneys.

"Good morning, everyone," Richard Crowe greeted as he entered the room, his voice warm and welcoming. The managing partner's presence immediately put the room at ease, and conversations hushed as everyone turned to face him.

Crowe was an imposing figure, standing well over six feet tall, with a lean build that seemed almost too elegant for his sharp suits. His salt-and-pepper hair was neatly combed back, and his dark eyes held a kindness that softened the sharpness of his features. A small scar near his left temple hinted at a life experience beyond the polished veneer, suggesting he'd faced and overcome challenges of his own.

Crowe's gaze swept over the room before landing on Andrea. "Before we begin, I'd like to introduce our newest associate, Andrea Blanco." His smile broadened, and there was genuine pride in his voice. "She joins us from Harvard Law, where she graduated at the top of her class. We're incredibly fortunate to have her with us, and I hope you'll all join me in welcoming her to the Crowe & Lancaster family."

A ripple of polite nods and murmured greetings followed. Andrea managed a small, professional smile, her nerves jangling. New York was a long way from the life she'd once known, but she was here to prove herself, and she wasn't going to let anything—or anyone—throw her off course.

"Thank you, Mr. Crowe," she said, her voice steady despite the tightness in her chest. "I'm excited to be here and look forward to working with all of you."

Crowe nodded, his expression warm and encouraging. "We're excited to have you, Andrea. I know starting at a new firm can be overwhelming, but remember, you're not alone. We're all here to support you. My door is always open if you need anything."

Andrea felt a rush of gratitude. She had heard about Crowe's reputation as a compassionate leader, but experiencing it firsthand was something else entirely. "Thank you, sir. I really appreciate that."

Crowe smiled kindly before turning his attention back to the room. "And while we're on the topic of welcoming, I'd also like to take a moment to recognize another milestone for our firm." He turned his gaze to Gabriel, who was seated at the far end of the table. "Gabriel Bauer has recently been promoted to partner after just two years with us."

There was a smattering of applause from the room, and Gabriel nodded graciously, though his expression remained composed.

"It's no small feat to achieve partner status so quickly, and it's a testament to Gabriel's dedication, skill, and commitment to his clients," Crowe continued, his tone genuinely proud. "We're lucky to have him on our team, and I look forward to seeing where his career will take him."

Gabriel met Crowe's eyes, a faint smile touching his lips. "Thank you, Mr. Crowe. It's an honor to be part of this firm."

Andrea felt a pang of something she couldn't quite name—was it admiration, or the bitter taste of what could have been? She quickly pushed the thought aside, focusing on the reason she was here.

As Crowe spoke, Andrea noticed Marcia setting up the presentation at the side of the room. Her eyes lingered on him for a moment longer than necessary, an almost imperceptible look of admiration softening her features. Andrea might not have given it a second thought, but there was something genuine in Marcia's gaze that caught her attention. It was fleeting, gone as soon as it appeared, and Andrea quickly brushed it off, reminding herself to focus on the presentation.