Through the Shattered Ceiling
1365 Words
**Chapter 1: Breaking the Glass Ceiling**
Underneath the neon lights that once illuminated dreams, now transformed into the shimmering glow of opulent cages.
Apple sat atop the pinnacle of the boardroom, a sheen of polished composure cultivated from pricey beauty courses. Melon, her ever-present partner, mirrored the same restless spirit. Both were captivated by the towering fern at the room's corner.
"It feels like a lost amusement park," quipped Apple with a subtle chuckle, her eyes playful.
"Have some patience, Mel. We'll create a forest they've never seen before," she added.
Instantly, a gracefully arched foot kicked with force. Thud! The glass ceiling, a symbol of unattainable power, shattered into a million glittering shards.
Melon, the typically composed company president, turned pale, then shifted to a worried shade, as Apple and Melon ascended. Not into the open air, but into the shade of a lush, green canopy.
The forest they descended into was a deep, lush green. Sunlight filtered through fluttering leaves. Giant ferns adorned corners like sentinels, bearing witness to the forest's tales of resilience.
Roots wound like arteries upon the fertile earth. The grand ferns, expansive as arms, embraced. Multicolored flowers danced with hidden secrets. It was a stark contrast to the mundane meeting rooms, a symphony of chaos that sang to their adventurous souls.
"This is what lies beyond the glass ceiling," Melon, usually calm, widened her eyes like a curious child.
Apple smiled broadly, shedding her corporate facade, revealing her artistic soul.
"This is a world brimming with opportunities, Mel. No spreadsheets, no quotas. Just an abundance of mysteries waiting to be unraveled."
As they admired the forest's beauty, Melon stumbled on a rock, nearly slipping. Luckily, Apple caught her in time.
"Mel, be careful," cautioned Apple.
"It's slippery here," Melon complained. "What kind of forest is this? The ground is as smooth as city roads."
"A forest must pose challenges," Apple replied.
"If it were easy, it wouldn't be fun."
"Fun? What's fun?" asked Melon.
"I nearly died," she joked.
While they trekked through the woods, Apple tripped over a massive root, causing Melon to rush and support her.
"It's okay," Melon assured.
"It's nothing," Apple responded.
"I just lost some face. Others seeing me fall like this might think I'm weak."
"Who'd think like that?" Melon asked. "You're incredibly talented, Apple."
"Good at work, at least," Apple sighed.
"Encountering situations like this makes us all vulnerable," Melon admitted.
"True," Apple smiled. "But at least, you have me here."
"That's true," Apple smiled. "Thank you, Mel."
They rested in the forest inn. Apple heard a peculiar sound coming from the bushes.
"What's that sound?" Apple inquired.
"I don't know," Melon answered. "Let's go check it out."
As they approached, they found a group of monkeys singing.
"What a melodious sound," Apple admired.
"Yes," Melon said. "I've never heard monkey songs before."
The group noticed them and stopped singing, looking at them.
"Who are you?" one of the monkeys asked.
"We are adventurers escaping the corporate world. We are fruits in human forms," Apple replied.
**Chapter 2: The Social Ceiling**
"We're here to seek possibilities," they both asserted.
"Where do you find possibilities? In this forest, there's only danger," one monkey questioned.
"Danger is a part of possibilities," Apple replied.
"You're wrong. Possibilities are beautiful things," another monkey argued.
"But possibilities can also be dangerous," Apple responded.
"Yes, indeed. Possibilities are double-edged swords. We must learn to wield them carefully," the monkey replied.
"I understand. I'm the caretaker president of my company," Melon spoke up.
"The caretaker president? Then surely, you should understand possibilities well," the monkey queried.
"Yes, I know that possibilities are beautiful. But they are also dangerous," Melon answered.
"Why did you come here then?" the monkey asked further.
"I'm tired of being under someone else's control. I want to live freely," Melon replied.
"How did you end up here?" the monkey inquired again.
"I broke through the glass ceiling with Apple," Melon replied.
"Break through the glass ceiling yourselves? You both are very brave," the monkey said in amazement.
"Yes, we're brave," Melon replied with a smile.
"Why did you break through if you're already the company president?" the monkey asked.
"The glass ceiling here doesn't just mean the company's ceiling or social status. It symbolizes my old frames of thinking or beliefs. I'm tired of being under my old frames of thinking. I want to live freely," Melon replied.
Apple and Melon continued walking together, their conversations growing more frequent. Apple began to feel closer to Melon.
"What do you like to do?" Melon asked Apple.
"I like reading books and listening to music," Apple replied.
"I also like reading books. I love reading novels," Melon replied.
"Novels? I love them too," Apple asked with a smile.
They talked more about romance novels. Apple felt like she had met someone who understood her.
"I feel good talking to you. When we were at the company, we rarely talked. I thought you were arrogant, too high-minded," Apple spoke.
"I thought the same. I thought you were just interested in things on your computer screen," Melon replied.
They walked on and eventually arrived at a large pond.
"This is the end of the forest," Melon said.
"How are we going to proceed?" Apple asked.
"I don't know what lies ahead," Melon replied.
"But I think we should cross this pond," Apple suggested.
Apple glanced at Melon. She knew Melon was looking for something.
"Okay," she said. "Let's go."
They walked into the pond. The cool, refreshing water made them feel invigorated.
They began swimming across the pond, water flowing smoothly through their bodies.
They kept swimming until they finally reached the other side of the pond.
Ahead of them was a new world, a world full of opportunities and possibilities.
**Chapter 3: A New Encounter**
Apple and Melon successfully swam across the pond to the other side, facing a new world filled with opportunities and possibilities.
Looking around, they felt excited and ready to start a new life.
"I feel like we're truly starting anew," Apple said.
"Me too," Melon replied.
They walked along the coastline until they stopped at a particular beach.
They noticed an elderly man standing there, gazing at them.
"Welcome to Edenata 2.0," the elderly man spoke.
Apple and Melon looked at each other in surprise.
"Edenata 2.0?" Apple asked.
"Yes," the elderly man replied. "This is a world of opportunities and possibilities, a world where everyone can live freely."
Excited once again, Apple and Melon looked around.
"This is the world we've been searching for," Apple said.
"Yes, this is the world we want," Melon replied.
The elderly man approached them.
"I'm J," he said. "I'm the founder of Edenata 2.0."
Apple and Melon looked at J with surprise.
"J... You're Melon's father?" Apple asked.
J nodded.
"Yes, I'm Melon's father."
Melon felt a surge of guilt. He felt like he had run away for no good reason.
"Father... I'm sorry," Melon said.
J didn't respond. He looked at Melon with a cold gaze.
"Do you know how dangerous your actions were?" J spoke. "You were almost throwing your life away."
Melon hung his head in shame.
"I... I just wanted a life of freedom," Melon said.
"Freedom?" J asked. "Do you think running away from here will make you free?"
"Yes, sir," Melon replied.
"You're wrong," J said. "This world is full of danger. How do you expect to survive without anyone to help?"
"I... I'll find a way to survive on my own," Melon said.
"Do you think you can?" J asked. "You're just an ordinary person. You have no experience."
Melon fell silent. He knew J was right.
"I'll punish you," J said.
Melon was startled.
"How will you punish me, sir?" Melon asked.
"You'll stay with me here," J said. "You'll learn to live responsibly."
Melon felt disappointed. He thought that by escaping from his father, he could live freely. But now, it seemed like he would be more controlled than ever before.
"Okay," Melon replied.
"Good," J said. "Let's go."
J walked ahead, and Melon and Apple followed quietly. They felt disappointed, knowing they had no other choice.
- Writer
