Sealed with a kiss (WomanxWoman)

2

It's 12:55, and I walk inside the meeting room. It's a large space with a long table and brown office chairs. At the end of the table, there's a whiteboard, a computer, and a projector screen. I sit on the left side, in the middle, next to two workers with name tags that read "Mark" and "Juliet." Everyone is talking to each other, except me. I don't know anyone yet, and I feel out of place. Suddenly, the room goes quiet. I look to the end of the table and see Charlotte sitting down. I hold my breath-she's gorgeous. I can't help but stare at her.

She just walked in and immediately commands the room. Even the way she speaks is captivating. All eyes are on her; she's got everyone's full attention. "Alright, everyone, I'm really glad you're all here. As you know, Frederique Cosmetics, one of our biggest clients, is launching a new product. Claire will hand each of you a box with their new lipstick collection. I remind you all that it's forbidden to take these products out of the building."

Suddenly, she looks at me, and I forget to breathe. "I hope the newcomers also know better than to break our rules and will remain confidential with our client's campaigns." She returns her gaze to the group, and I feel like I've done something wrong just by being in the meeting. I don't belong here, and she knows it. Maybe I won't last long here. Self-doubt starts to creep in, and I can't even hear her anymore until Claire drops a box in front of me. Then I hear Charlotte say, "This campaign is going to be huge, and Frederique's representatives want to launch it as soon as possible, so we don't have a lot of time. I urge you to use the brilliant minds that got you here. You have until tomorrow to come up with campaign ideas. We can't afford to lose this account. I trust you all." With that, she gets up and leaves.

Mark, sitting next to me, turns and says, "Wow, newbie, looks like you're getting your first dip-and it's in deep water. I hope you know how to swim." I look at him, puzzled. "What's that supposed to mean?"

Juliet, on my other side, looks at me and says, "How old are you anyway? You look 18. How did you even land a job here so fast? People try for years to work here. The bar is very high."

Mark adds, "Yeah, how did you get this job? I don't want to imply anything inappropriate because HR would get me in trouble, but it's unusual for someone like you, who doesn't seem to have much experience, to land a role in this department. People with way more experience have tried and failed."

I feel the blood rushing to my face. I almost want to cry, but I won't give them the satisfaction. "I'm 23, not 18. My age is none of your concern! You have no idea what I've been through to get here, and I certainly don't need to prove myself to you!" With that, I get up to leave.

As I walk away, I hear Juliet say, "You'll have to prove it to Charlotte, or you won't survive a day here." I ignore her and go back to my chair.

I can't even get privacy to cry because it's an open office. I consider going to the bathroom, but I don't want to run into these "good souls" along the way. I feel really down, and again, I start doubting myself. To disconnect and calm down, I open Instagram, scrolling through funny videos. Then I see one of my favorite influencers, Cherry Golding, and her account "Cherry on Top," where she shares all the latest places she visits and recommendations. It's like a light bulb goes off in my head-I have an idea!

I sit back in my chair, turn on the computer, and start researching and writing my idea, never looking up. After a while, I feel a hand on my shoulder. I look up to see Claire. "You know it's 6 o'clock, don't you? Did you eat something today? Don't work too hard, it's only your first day."

I'm glad she's here. It's nice to know that some people here care, and not everyone is a vulture waiting for prey. I thank Claire for checking in on me, pack up my things, and head home.

I hope my idea will be good enough for tomorrow. I hope I can prove myself to Charlotte, to the office, but most of all, to myself. I take the subway to my apartment, and on the way, I stop at a little pizza place I saw during my morning run. It's a cozy spot, and I get to know the owner, Bob, and his daughter, Emily, a 17-year-old who works at the cashier. They're really nice, and for the first time today, I feel like maybe, just maybe, I still have a chance to make a great life here.
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I arrived at work at 7:30, ready to finish my research before the other workers come and distract me with all the noise. I sit in my chair, all the lights are off, and no one is around, but I still feel like I'm being watched. I push that thought away and continue working.

At 8 o'clock, Claire arrives with a bag of baked goods that smells delicious. "I had a feeling you'd already be here." I smile at her. "You've known me for only a day, but it feels like you've known me much longer."

Claire pulls out a chocolate croissant from the bag and gives it to me. It's hot and fresh, and my stomach rumbles. Claire laughs. "I also had a feeling you didn't eat breakfast. I wasn't sure what to bring you, but I figured you can't go wrong with chocolate."

I laugh too. It's so good to feel like I have someone like her at work. I'm beginning to think she might be my guardian angel. Everything seems better when she's around. "Thank you," I say, "I hope you didn't go to all that trouble just for me."

Claire pats my shoulder and smiles. "You know, you're not the only one here who arrives early and needs someone to make sure they eat." She looks over at the glass-walled office, and I follow her gaze, realizing what she's saying.

"Wait! You mean we're not the only ones here?" Claire laughs and says, "Charlotte arrives here every day before everyone and leaves after everyone else."

I look at her in wonder. "Really? But why?"

Claire replies, "You know, you and her have a lot in common."

Now I'm confused. "What? How?"

Claire seems amused by my reaction. "You know who her father is, right? The first thing people think when they don't know her is that she's in her position because her daddy's the big boss. But the truth is, she's brilliant at what she does and works harder than anyone to prove she got this position on her own. Just like you. People see how young you are and immediately start speculating."

I look at her, stunned. She's right.

"Anyway," Claire continues, "I'll let you get back to work. You've still got a lot to prove, but I believe in you. I have a feeling you'll do just fine." She winks at me and walks toward Charlotte's office.

I take a moment to let it all sink in and then get back to work. Time is of the essence, and I need to be ready for this meeting.