Matched with my boss

Chapter 3

Chapter 3

Daphne.

"They say the first step in any career is the most important, though I didn’t expect it to be as an accounting assistant."

When my university mentor, Professor Navarro, offered me a job at the company where he also worked as one of the top executives, I thought it was my chance to shine. After all, I had been one of his standout students, with honors in Finance and countless hours dedicated to studies and projects that left me no time for love. I had even allowed myself to dream of starting in an important position.

But when the professor told me I’d be starting as an accounting assistant, working directly under him, I couldn’t help but feel a small pang of disappointment. Although I knew I didn’t have any work experience yet, and it made sense to start from the bottom, something about being an "assistant" made me feel less prepared than I had imagined.

"Everyone starts somewhere," I repeated to myself that morning, as I headed to my new job.

My apartment was small but cozy, perfect for a recent graduate like me who had spent more time worrying about numbers at university than about decorating my home. I put on a simple blouse, dress pants, and my favorite low-heeled shoes. I wanted to look professional, but not over the top.

When I arrived at the building where the company, Sidle Financial Group, was located, I was amazed. The skyscraper was imposing, with its glass façade reflecting the bright morning sun. It seemed so sophisticated and far removed from anything I had known before. I took a deep breath before entering.

In the lobby, the gleaming marble, high ceilings, and modern artwork on the walls gave me the feeling of stepping into another world. A world where finance wasn’t just numbers on a screen, but a way of life.

I approached the reception desk, where a woman with a perfect smile looked at me attentively.

"Hi, I’m Daphne Legrand. I have an appointment to start my first day as an accounting assistant with Professor Navarro," I said, trying to sound more confident than I felt.

The receptionist typed something on the computer and smiled at me.

"Welcome, Miss Legrand. Your office is on the 15th floor. Professor Navarro is already expecting you. Follow the hallway and take the second elevator on the right."

I nodded, thanking her, and made my way to the elevators. The ride to the 15th floor was quick, but in my head, time seemed to slow down. I wondered what kind of work awaited me, what kind of people I’d meet. It wasn’t exactly the job of my dreams, but I couldn’t complain. After all, the salary was better than the average for an accounting assistant, and I was working with my mentor. If anyone could teach me, it was him.

When the elevator doors opened, the first thing that caught my attention was the bustle of the place. The 15th floor felt like a small city within the building. The cubicles were full of people talking on the phone, reviewing documents, and discussing graphs on their computer screens. I immediately felt part of something much bigger than myself.

"Welcome to the real world," I thought as I walked toward Professor Navarro’s office.

The door was open, and he was inside, reviewing some papers. When he saw me, he smiled with that warm smile he always had in class.

"Daphne, good to see you," he said as he stood up and walked over to greet me. "Ready for your first day?"

"I am," I replied, trying to sound more confident than I really felt. "Although I’m not sure exactly what to expect."

He laughed.

"Don’t worry, everyone starts from the bottom. You’ll learn more here than you ever imagined." He looked at me with a mix of pride and expectation. "I know this isn’t the position you dreamed of, but believe me, it’s a necessary step. You have the potential to go far, but first, you need to understand how everything works from the inside."

I nodded, grateful for his honesty. He directed me to a small desk outside his office, where I would start organizing his accounts, reports, and all the accounting documentation. It wasn’t the most exciting job in the world, but I knew it was a stepping stone. And that made it bearable.

I had barely begun familiarizing myself with the systems when I heard a cheerful, overly animated voice behind me.

"You must be the new girl! Daphne, right?!" I turned to find a tall, slender guy with perfectly sculpted hair and a wide smile that seemed to light up the entire floor.

"Yes, I’m Daphne," I replied, trying to match his energy.

"I’m Tommy, also an accounting assistant, but with more experience. And let me tell you something! Welcome to the jungle!" he laughed in such a contagious way that I couldn’t help but laugh with him.

Tommy leaned toward me as if he were about to reveal a very important secret.

"There’s everything here, darling. From stock market sharks to those obsessed with taxes. It’s like a big jungle full of egos and adrenaline. But let me tell you, the real gossip is on this floor." He paused dramatically. "The big boss, none other than Harrison Sidle, is about to retire."

My eyebrows shot up.

"The CEO?" I asked, surprised. I didn’t expect such big news to drop on my first day.

"Exactly," Tommy said, waving his hands for added drama. "Word is he’s ready to go off to some tropical island and spend the rest of his life under the sun. His retirement has been the talk of the year. And now that his son, the famous Jacob Sidle, is back in town, everyone’s on edge, waiting for the transition."

I nodded slowly. I had heard of Jacob Sidle, though not much. I knew he was a brilliant guy, had spent years studying at elite universities. But beyond that, I didn’t know much about him, except that his return to the company meant a major change, according to what I could gather from Tommy.

"Wait, did you say he’s already back?" I asked, more out of curiosity than anything else.

Tommy nodded with a mischievous smile.

"Oh, yes. And let me tell you, everyone’s on alert. They say he’s a reserved guy, but incredibly smart. And handsome, of course. But you know how these things go." He shot me a conspiratorial look. "You’ll see, this place is full of characters. I stay for the drama, honestly."

I laughed and nodded.

"Thanks for the heads-up, Tommy. I think I’m going to need someone like you to keep me in the loop."

"Oh, darling, I’ll be delighted. And if you need anything, don’t hesitate to ask me." He turned and gave me a quick wave before heading back to his desk.

The rest of the morning passed without major incidents. I focused on my work, organizing documents and getting familiar with the company’s system. But in the back of my mind, I couldn’t stop thinking about what Tommy had said. The big boss was about to retire, and his son was back. What kind of changes would those moves bring?

After a few hours, Navarro came out of his office and approached my desk.

"Daphne, how about we take a break for lunch?" he asked.

"Sure, I’d love that," I replied, grateful for the chance to relax a bit.

We left the building together and headed to a small café nearby. Along the way, Navarro told me more about the company.

"This is one of the best in its field. Here, you’ll see all kinds of finance in action, from asset management to stock investments. But most importantly, you’ll learn to see the big picture, not just the technical details."

I nodded, trying to absorb all the information.

"And, of course, now that Jacob Sidle is back, things are going to change. Harrison is ready to retire, but Jacob has his own plans. It won’t be an easy transition. Being a young mind, he’ll bring fresher ideas and better strategies."

We sat at a table by the window, and as we waited for our orders, Navarro gave me a warm smile.

"I know this job may seem minor compared to what you expected when you graduated, but believe me, it’s just the beginning. You have great potential, Daphne. You just need time to prove it."

I smiled at him, feeling a mix of gratitude and relief. It was obvious to everyone that not starting from the top affected me a bit, but I wasn’t ungrateful, and I really appreciated my professor giving me this opportunity. I knew I couldn’t expect to reach the top right away, but having someone who believed in me was more than I could have hoped for.

"Thank you, Professor," I said sincerely. "I promise I won’t let you down."

Navarro patted me on the shoulder.

"You won’t. I’m sure of it."

After a pleasant lunch, we returned to the office, and I dove back into my work. As the afternoon progressed, I realized that even though I wasn’t in the most glamorous position, I was learning something new every day. And that was what mattered.