The Cold Edge Of Romance | hj

Chapter Six: First Impressions.

         The next day, she spent preparing for her first day at work. She went through her wardrobe, trying to decide on the perfect outfit. She finally settled on a tailored navy-blue dress that was professional yet stylish. She paired it with sensible black heels and a matching handbag.

Monday morning arrived quickly. Aria woke up early, feeling a mix of excitement and anxiety. She took extra care with her appearance, wanting to make a good impression. After a light breakfast, she grabbed her bag and headed out the door.

The drive to Prestige Dynamics felt surreal. The towering building loomed ahead, its glass facade gleaming in the morning sunlight. She parked her car and took a deep breath before walking inside.

The lobby was bustling with activity. Employees in sharp suits and dresses hurried about, carrying documents and talking on their phones. Aria approached the receptionist, who greeted her with a warm smile.

"Good morning. I'm Aria Sinclair. I'm here for my first day," she said, trying to keep her voice steady.

"Welcome, Ms. Sinclair," the receptionist said. "Please take the elevator to the top floor. Mr. Hong is expecting you."

Aria's heart raced as she stepped into the elevator. The ride to the top floor seemed to take forever, but she finally arrived. The doors opened to reveal a sleek, modern office space. She walked to the reception desk and introduced herself to the assistant.

"Good morning, Ms. Sinclair. Please follow me," the assistant said, leading her to a large office at the end of the hall.

As she stepped into Hong Joshua's office she saw him seated behind a massive mahogany desk, his eyes focused on a stack of documents. He looked up as she entered, his expression unreadable.

"Ms. Sinclair," he said, his voice cool and measured. "Please, have a seat."

Aria sat down, her hands clasped tightly in her lap. She felt a mixture of nerves and determination. This was her chance to prove herself.

"Welcome to Prestige Dynamics," Joshua continued, his tone unwavering. "I expect nothing but the best from my employees, and I hope you're ready to meet those expectations."

Aria swallowed hard, her pulse quickening. "I understand, Mr. Hong. I also wanted to apologize for what happened the other night. It was unprofessional, and I'm truly sorry."

Joshua's eyes narrowed slightly, his expression turning even colder. "Ms. Sinclair, what happened was not only unprofessional but also entirely unacceptable. If you plan to work here, I expect you to conduct yourself with the utmost decorum at all times."

Aria felt a flicker of anger at his words. His tone was unnecessarily harsh, and it was clear he had no intention of letting her forget her mistake. But she forced a smile, determined not to let her emotions get the best of her. "I understand, Mr. Hong. It won't happen again."

Joshua gave a curt nod, dismissing her apology without further comment. "Very well. You'll be starting your day in the administrative office. My assistant will show you to your desk and explain your duties."

Aria stood up, maintaining the forced smile. "Thank you, Mr. Hong. I'll do my best."

As she walked out of the office, escorted by Joshua's assistant, she couldn't shake the frustration simmering inside her. His rudeness was uncalled for, and it took all her self-control not to snap back at him. She took a deep breath, reminding herself that this job was an important opportunity, and she couldn't afford to lose it over a moment of anger.

The assistant led her to a spacious, well-lit office area filled with cubicles and bustling with activity. She showed Aria to her desk, which was neatly organized with a new computer, office supplies, and a phone.

"Here you go," the assistant said with a friendly smile. "If you need anything, just let me know. Your first task is to familiarize yourself with the company's internal systems and protocols. There's a training manual on your desk to get you started."

"Thank you," Aria said, genuinely grateful for the assistant's kindness. She sat down at her desk and opened the training manual, determined to immerse herself in her new role.

Despite the rocky start with Joshua, she knew this was her chance to prove herself. She wouldn't let his attitude discourage her. With a renewed sense of determination, Aria began her first day at Prestige Dynamics, ready to take on whatever challenges lay ahead.