Five
1175 Words
Olivia Westview
I stood in front of the grand Sinclair Industries building at Liberty Plaza, my nerves a tangled mess. The towering glass structure loomed over me, reflecting the early morning sun and casting long shadows on the pavement. My dad had dropped me off with a supportive nod and a quick pep talk. "You better not fvck this up, Olivia," he had said.
Too late, Dad. I've already fvcked him.
“Okay, Liv,” I muttered to myself, taking a deep breath. “You’ve got this. Just walk in there, do your job, and don’t mess up. It’s just a job. Just a job.”
I took another steadying breath and pushed open the glass door. The cool, air-conditioned air greeted me as I stepped inside, the sleek, modern design of the lobby enveloping me in its quiet elegance. The walls were a muted gray, accented with polished chrome, and the floor was a glossy marble that seemed to stretch endlessly.
Walking across the lobby, I approached the reception desk where a woman with short, sleek black hair was typing away. She looked up as I approached, her expression professional yet friendly.
“Excuse me,” I said, trying to keep my voice steady despite my jittery nerves. “I’m Olivia Westview. I’m here for my first day. Could you please tell me where I should go?”
She gave me a polite smile. “Welcome, Olivia. Please take a seat, and someone will be with you shortly.”
I nodded and glanced around, spotting a row of plush chairs against the far wall. As I made my way over, I couldn’t help but scan the lobby, my heart racing at the thought of running into James. The last thing I needed was an awkward encounter with him on my first day.
Taking a seat, I clasped my hands in my lap, trying to steady my nerves. The minutes ticked by slowly, and I shifted in my seat, glancing occasionally at the reception desk, willing them to call me soon. My mind raced with scenarios of what could go wrong today. I had heard so much about Sinclair Industries, and now that I was finally here, I felt a mixture of excitement and dread.
Suddenly, the doors to the building opened, and a group of employees walked in, chatting animatedly. I scanned their faces quickly, but none of them were James. I breathed a sigh of relief, leaning back in my chair. The thought of him seeing me here, nervous and unsure, made my stomach churn.
I was lost in my thoughts when I felt a tap on my shoulder. I looked up to see a young woman with a warm smile standing beside me. “Olivia Westview?” she asked.
“Yes, that’s me,” I replied, standing up quickly, trying to mask my nervousness with a smile.
“Hi, I’m Jenna, from HR. Welcome to Sinclair Industries. Follow me for your interview.”
I followed Jenna through a series of corridors, my heart pounding with every step. We entered a small, modern conference room where she motioned for me to take a seat. The interview began with basic questions about my background, experience, and why I wanted to work at Sinclair Industries. I was considering telling her that it was just my Dad's idea to work here but decided against it.
We discussed my previous jobs, my skills, and how I thought I could contribute to the company. Jenna asked insightful questions, and I answered as confidently as I could, despite the nervous flutter in my stomach.
Jenna smiled as she closed her notebook. "Well, Olivia, I'm happy to say that you're hired. Congratulations."
"Thank you so much. I'm really excited to be here." Not true. I really don't know why I am here, much less what position I am applying for.
"Great," Jenna said, standing up. "Now, Mister Sinclair is expecting you. You should go to the penthouse level to his office. Just take the elevator at the end of the hall."
“The penthouse?” Oh my god.
“Yes, that’s right. Just take the elevator up, and it will take you straight to his office,” she confirmed.
Swallowing hard, I nodded. "Thank you, Jenna. I'll head there now," I said, my heart pounding as I walked towards the elevator bank. The polished steel doors of the elevator reflected my anxious face as I pressed the button for the elevator to arrive.
When the elevator doors finally slid open, I stepped inside and pressed the PH button. The elevator began its smooth ascent, the soft hum of machinery and the gentle rise in altitude doing little to soothe my nerves.
The elevator dinged three levels up, and then, the doors slid open.
My heart skipped a beat when I saw who was waiting right outside the elevator.
My new boss, James Sinclair, looking impeccably dressed in a tailored suit, stood just outside the elevator.
Fvcking hell.
I barely had time to react before James’s eyes met mine. His smile was warm and welcoming, and he stepped forward as he entered. The elevator doors slid shut behind him, and I found myself standing a foot away from the man I’d had a one-night stand with. Except now, he was my boss.
"Good morning, Miss Westview," he said, his voice smooth and commanding.
I couldn’t help but ogle him. He looked even more handsome now in his corporate attire. The suit accentuated his broad shoulders and muscular build, hinting at the strength beneath the fabric. His chiseled jaw and piercing blue eyes were as mesmerizing as ever, but it was his ass in those tailored pants that caught my attention. The way the fabric clung to his firm muscles was almost hypnotic. I found myself looking him up and down, top to bottom, and then back up again.
"Is there something on my face?" he asked, a hint of amusement in his voice.
My cheeks burned with embarrassment. "No, James... I mean, sir. Nothing. Good morning too." I stammered, forcing myself to look away from his handsome features.
He chuckled at that, a shallow dent appearing on his cheek. "Just call me James," he said, his voice warm.
Fvck it, Liv, look away! Stop ogling him, I thought, clutching my bag closer to me and staring intently at my feet. The silence between us was thick and awkward, my mind racing with anxiety. What if he brought up that night we had first met at the bar? The memory of our one-night stand sent a shiver down my spine. The elevator ride seemed to stretch on forever, each second agonizing as I prayed for the floor to arrive.
Finally, with a soft ding, the elevator doors opened. James gestured for me to step out first. "After you, Miss Westview," he said, his tone polite but carrying an underlying familiarity that made my stomach churn with a mix of excitement and dread.
"Thank you," I mumbled, stepping out into the penthouse level.
- Writer
