Executively Devoted | CEO h.s.

3 | Fly

Double Update, because why not? Enjoy!

♬ ✥*

Serenity.

This company was surely no Grant Enterprises — or anything that I could even imagine. I was aware that there were several skyscrapers in downtown, but this was definitely one of the tallest in the midst of them. It was as if it was saying to the city, 'I am superior to all of you'. Obviously, that wasn't the case, but still.

It was close enough.

Intimidated — that was the word that defined what I was feeling. I had no idea how anyone could enter this building without experiencing that. A couple of days ago, I thought my nerves were high when I entered Grant Enterprises, I had no idea what was yet to come. Part of me began to regret it, but I wasn't going to let those anxious emotions pass through the barrier. I needed to keep those massive imaginary walls up.

The moment I stepped foot into the main lobby, my jaw almost dropped at how exquisite the interior looked. Contemporary, sleek, sophisticated, and grandeur, with blacks, silvers, accenting with resonant greens. The space swirled with gardens carrying leafy plants, adding a whimsical aura in a strictly corporate atmosphere.

It was clear that it still seemed fresh from the renovations that Mr Styles had done once he took over. The look was crisp and impeccably modern. Needless to say, it was beautiful.

Like I'd done briefly at G.E. the other day, I had to check-in with security; however, the wait time was immensely longer. They took my ID so they could check their system to see if I actually had an appointment. A call was then made to Joelle's secretary to confirm it.

Once everything was verified, they told me precisely what floor her office was. None of that was included in my plan. I didn't expect it to be so complicated. It should have been, though. The building wasn't just ordinary — it was a skyscraper; and specifically, corporate. Places like that have boxes that carry you from floor to floor, and up to the very top.

Tightly, I held my folder close to my chest and navigated through the building to find the elevators. Glossy silver doors opened, a few men and women in expensive tailored suits and tailleurs hastened outside, whilst others walked inside. Lastly, I followed anxiously behind them.

One of the many problems that crossed my mind was that I'd be stuck with several strangers in a confined space, with barely any air. I couldn't do it — but I had to. If I took the stairs, I'd probably reach there tomorrow evening, surely looking like an absolute mess. But before I could attempt to reconsider, the opening was sealed shut.

Every few seconds, the lift would stop, and more people would leave and enter again. I couldn't have a panic attack right now. I just couldn't. So I focused on my breathing and counted, praying it would help.

One, two, three, four, five, six, seven —

I was just a few numbers away from my destination. There was one more left in the enclosed box with me. Thankfully, the button for the floor above what I needed was lit, so I wasn't going to be left alone.

"Floor forty-eight," the electronic voice echoed through the small space.

As quick I as I could, I was out the steel doors as soon as they opened. Unfortunately, my purse bumped into the other woman in the lift with me. I didn't have enough time to apologise, which was unlike me in a normal situation. Moving over to the side, I caught my breath, trying to ease the heavy feeling in my chest. Intense — too intense.

Why did I do this to myself?

"Excuse me, are you Miss Hayes?" I heard someone call out to me, realising quickly that a secretary a short distance away, had already seen me.