𝐃𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐃𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐬 | 𝟏𝟖 +

𝐓 𝐇 𝐑 𝐄 𝐄

Dakota

I could barely keep my eyes open as I trudged back toward Ms. Beaumont's office, my limbs heavy and sore. The day had been brutal, a constant cycle of running back and forth, carrying case files from one department to another, going to the printer room to make endless copies, and organizing files for review. I hadn't even managed to eat lunch, and my stomach had long since given up on growling, settling instead for a dull ache that only added to my exhaustion.

I regretted not taking Annabel up on her earlier offer to grab a sandwich from the cafe downstairs. I thought I could power through the day without stopping, but now I wasn't so sure. My head was spinning, and each step felt like it took twice the energy it normally would.

As I neared Annabel's desk, she glanced up and offered me an apologetic smile. I managed a weak smile back, but even that small effort felt like too much. I dragged myself into Ms. Beaumont's office, praying I could make it to my desk without collapsing.

Ms. Beaumont was standing by the tall, dark bookshelves lining the far wall, rifling through a row of heavy-looking law books. She radiated her usual aura of authority and elegance, completely unbothered by the chaos that had become my day. I glanced in her direction, hoping I could just slip by to my desk unnoticed.

But as I took another step, the world around me started to blur. Black spots danced in front of my vision, and a strange, weightless feeling swept over me. I tried to take a deep breath, to steady myself, but it felt like I was grasping at air. Panic shot through me as I realized I was about to collapse.

"What are you doing, Ms. D'Angelo?" Ms. Beaumont's voice cut through the haze, laced with her usual irritation.

I barely managed to get out a faint, "Oh no." before my legs gave way beneath me. I couldn't fight it anymore, and everything went dark as I felt myself hitting the floor.

I wasn't sure how much time had passed when I started to come to. My head throbbed, and I felt disoriented, like I was swimming through thick fog. Blinking a few times, I struggled to make sense of my surroundings. The familiar polished floors and bookshelves of Ms. Beaumont's office slowly came into focus.

I realized, somewhat distantly, that I was lying on something soft. I tried to push myself up, but a firm hand pressed gently on my shoulder, urging me to stay down. The warmth of someone's hand on me was oddly reassuring, and I obeyed, still too weak to resist.

I blinked a few more times and finally managed to focus on the figure looming over me. To my surprise, it was Ms. Beaumont herself, her usual icy mask replaced with a look of genuine concern, at least, that's what it seemed like, though I might have been imagining things in my foggy state.

"Stay still, Ms. D'Angelo." she ordered, her tone gentler than usual. "You fainted."

"Oh." I mumbled, feeling a fresh wave of embarrassment. "I... I'm sorry, ma'am."

She sighed, clearly exasperated, but there was a hint of something softer in her expression. "When was the last time you ate today?"

I racked my brain, trying to recall, but everything felt fuzzy. "I... I didn't have lunch. I thought I could keep going."

Ms. Beaumont's eyes narrowed, a flash of annoyance crossing her face, but it wasn't directed at me. "You thought you could keep going?" she echoed incredulously. "Running around this firm all day without a break?"

I looked away, feeling incredibly small and foolish. "I just... I wanted to keep up. I didn't want to fall behind on my first day."

She huffed, though it sounded more like a begrudging acknowledgment than actual anger. "Being diligent is commendable, Ms. D'Angelo, but working yourself to the point of collapse is not. You won't last here if you can't pace yourself."

I nodded meekly, the shame burning in my cheeks. "I understand. I'll... I'll do better."

Ms. Beaumont studied me for a moment before standing up. "You're not doing anything else until you've had something to eat. Annabel will bring you some food, and I expect you to sit here and eat all of it. Understood?"

"Yes, ma'am." I whispered, feeling too weak to protest.

She walked toward the door, pausing for a moment before glancing back at me. "And don't think I'll tolerate this again. Next time, you take a break before it gets to this point. I don't need interns fainting in my office."

With that, she left, her heels clicking sharply against the floor as she exited. I lay back, still reeling from the combination of exhaustion and her unexpected show of care. Annabel entered a few minutes later, carrying a tray with a sandwich, a bottle of water, and an apple. She placed it on the coffee table next to where I was lying.

"Eat up, Dakota." she said gently, giving me a sympathetic smile. "Ms. Beaumont doesn't often make allowances, so you'd better take this seriously."

I nodded and took the sandwich, feeling the first real pangs of hunger hit me. As I ate, I thought about Ms. Beaumont's unexpected concern. Maybe beneath that icy exterior, there was a heart in there somewhere. But then again, she was a formidable woman, one who didn't let emotions rule her decisions. Perhaps this was just her way of making sure her office ran efficiently, even if it meant taking care of the staff now and then.

Regardless, I was grateful for the moment of kindness, even if it was wrapped in irritation. This day had taught me a hard lesson, but one I wouldn't forget: if I was going to survive working under Genevieve Beaumont, I'd need to learn how to pace myself.

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~ R