Sugar sugar baby

[2] First day

The first day of my internship at Reed Estates had me buzzing with excitement and nervous energy. As I walked through the grand lobby of the high-rise, everything felt different now that I wasn't just another hopeful interviewee. I had made the cut. But that sense of accomplishment was quickly replaced by a mix of curiosity and confusion as I stepped into the office where the interns were gathering.

The space was sleek and modern—glass walls, leather chairs, and polished desks. But what caught my attention wasn't the decor; it was the interns themselves. I quickly realized that most of them were young men, just like me—well-dressed, sharp-looking, and clearly in good shape. It felt like I'd walked onto the set of some reality show.

Out of the twenty or so interns gathered in the room, I counted maybe two or three women. That ratio struck me as odd, especially considering that this was a high-powered real estate firm. What the hell was going on here?

I stood near the back, scanning the room as the other guys exchanged pleasantries. Everyone was trying to size each other up without making it obvious, but the tension was palpable. We were all here to compete.

A few minutes later, the door swung open, and our manager walked in.

She was a middle-aged woman, mid-forties, maybe, with perfectly styled blonde hair and an outfit that looked both professional and expensive. Her suit was tailored to fit her curves, and her heels clicked sharply against the floor as she approached the front of the room. She had a no-nonsense air about her, but the way she carried herself had an undeniable confidence and authority. She commanded the room with just her presence.

"Good morning, everyone," she said, her voice smooth but authoritative. "My name is Karen Phillips, and I'll be overseeing the internship program for the next three months."

Her eyes scanned the room, taking in the sea of young, eager faces. When her gaze landed on me, she paused for just a second before moving on. It was a small thing, but it made my stomach twist.

"Now," Karen continued, "I'm sure you're all excited to be here. Reed Estates is one of the top real estate firms in the country, and this internship is a rare opportunity to make a name for yourself in this industry."

She walked to the front of the room, folding her arms as she looked at us with a hint of a smile. "But let me be clear: this isn't going to be easy. By the end of these three months, only 10% of you will be offered a formal position at this company."

There was a murmur throughout the room as the reality of what she was saying set in. 10%. That meant out of the twenty interns here, maybe two or three of us would actually get a job. The rest would be cut.

Karen raised an eyebrow, her smile never wavering. "I'm not here to hold your hand or give you participation trophies. You're going to have to earn your place here. And I'll be watching every single one of you."

My heart raced as I stood there, trying to process what she'd just said. Only 10%. Shit. I knew this internship would be competitive, but hearing those numbers made it feel real in a way that hadn't hit me before.

Karen gestured toward the interns, her eyes sharp. "You're all here because you've got potential. But potential doesn't mean anything unless you put in the work. You'll be given tasks, projects, and responsibilities that will test you. I don't care if you're the smartest person in the room or the most charming. What matters is results."

The guys around me straightened up, clearly trying to look as serious and capable as possible. I couldn't blame them. The pressure was already on, and we hadn't even started.

Karen paced slowly, her heels clicking on the floor. "I should also mention that we expect a certain level of... professionalism here at Reed Estates. This is a high-stakes business, and our clients expect the best. So, if you're here thinking you can coast through these next few months, think again."