A Distraction // Bangchan

Chapter Ten

The next morning, Lauren arrived at work with a spring in her step. The quiet excitement from the coffee date with Chan lingered in the back of her mind, but today was important for another reason—her long-anticipated meeting with her boss to review the project she had poured her heart into. She had been confident in her work, but there was always that little voice of uncertainty, wondering how it had been received by the higher-ups.

By the time she reached the office, she had her game face on. Dressed sharply in a tailored blazer and skirt, she felt ready to tackle whatever came her way. She grabbed a quick coffee from the break room before heading to her boss's office for the meeting.

When she stepped in, her boss, David, was already seated, scrolling through the notes on his tablet. He looked up as she entered, a broad smile on his face. That was a good sign.

"Lauren, come in, have a seat," he said, gesturing to the chair opposite his desk.

"Thanks," Lauren said, sitting down and offering him a smile, trying to stay calm despite the anticipation bubbling inside her.

David set his tablet aside and leaned forward slightly. "So, let's get straight to it. Your work on this project was beyond impressive. The feedback from the leadership team has been nothing short of glowing. You managed every aspect with precision, and your leadership skills were on full display. Honestly, you've set a new standard around here."

Lauren felt a rush of relief and pride, but she kept her expression professional, nodding in acknowledgment. "I appreciate that, David. It was a big challenge, but I'm really happy with how it turned out."

David leaned back in his chair, his eyes still fixed on her. "Well, your hard work hasn't gone unnoticed. In fact, that's why I wanted to meet with you today." He paused for a moment, letting the weight of his words sink in. "We've decided to promote you to Director."

For a moment, Lauren wasn't sure she had heard him correctly. Her heart skipped a beat as the words registered—Director. It was the position she'd been aiming for, the next big step in her career, and she hadn't expected it to come this soon.

"Director?" she repeated, her voice steady despite the excitement building inside her.

David nodded, a smile tugging at the corners of his lips. "That's right. Effective immediately. You've more than proven yourself, and we believe you're ready to take on a larger role in shaping the company's future. Along with the title comes a significant raise as well. I'll have HR send over the details, but suffice it to say, it's a big bump."

Lauren blinked, momentarily speechless. She felt a wave of emotions—pride, excitement, and a little disbelief—surge through her. She had worked for this moment for years, pouring herself into every project, every deadline, every challenge. And now, it was happening.

"Wow... I don't even know what to say," she admitted, her smile widening as she finally let herself feel the full weight of the news. "Thank you."

David chuckled. "You earned it, Lauren. This company is lucky to have you. We've been watching your growth for a while, and this project was the final piece. You're ready for this."

She nodded, her mind still spinning with the implications. Director. A title she had been aiming for, and now it was hers, complete with a raise that would give her even more freedom and security.

"Thank you, David. I won't let you down."

"I have no doubt about that," he said, standing up and extending his hand. Lauren shook it, feeling the gravity of the moment settle over her. "We'll discuss more details over the next few days, but for now, enjoy this win. You've earned it."