Amaya woke up before her alarm again.
But this time, it wasn't the usual unease pulling her from sleep. It was rather anticipation. She laid still. Just for a moment, staring at the ceiling, and letting reality settle in.
You got the job. At Blooms Global. Her mind told her. But the words still felt foreign.
Instictively, she let out a slow breath. Then pushed herself out of bed. "No overthinking," she muttered. "Just get through the day."
Her mornings were that simple, but intentional. Shower, then get dressed. But this time, she took extra care. She choose her outfits, three times before settling on something clean.
A professional soft cream blouse tucked into a fitted black skirt, paired with low heels. It was nothing flashy, just... presentable.
She stood in front of the mirror for a second longer than usual. "You'll be fine." She told herself but didn't fully believe it. But she grabbed her bag anyway.
.
.
.
Today, the bus ride felt different. Not because of any major changes she had had. But in the subtle ways. Like how she stood a little straighter.
And how she paid closer attention to the people around her. First, it was a man arguing loudly on the phone. Then, a woman fixing her makeup in the reflection of the window.
A student half-asleep, head bobbing with every turn. Life was moving on as always. But today, felt different.
After about Thirty minutes, she finally alighted at Blooms Global. It was still massive and powerful But the building didn't feel as intimidating as yesterday. Because she felt a sense of belonging. At least... on paper.
"First day?" the receptionist asked with a polite smile as Aria approached.
"Yes." Amaya said.
"Welcome. HR is expecting you. 12th floor."
"Thank you." She answered, and strolled off.
Orientation wasn't as scary as she expected.
There were five of them in total. The new hires sat around a sleek table while an HR manager walked them through company policies, expectations, schedules.
Amaya listened carefully, jotting down notes in a small notebook she had brought. Details helped her feel in control. On her list were;
Names, Departments and Procedures.
Beside her, sat a curly girl. She leaned over slightly. "First corporate job?"
Amaya glanced at her. "Is it that obvious?"
The girl grinned. "A little. I'm Maya."
"Amaya."
"Relax," Maya whispered. "Everyone looks like they're about to pass out on their first day."
Amaya huffed a small laugh. That... actually helped.
By midday, Amaya was assigned her department. Administrative support. Mid-level management.
It was not directly important. And neither was it directly invisible. It was just between a balance she could work with.
"This is your station," the supervisor said, gesturing to a neat desk with a computer, phone, and a small stack of files.
Amaya nodded. "Thank you."
"Just observe for today. And et familiar." He instructed.
"I will." She said, and he was gone.
The office floor was alive in a quiet, controlled way. Phones rang softly in the background. While keyboards clicked. Low conversations drifted between desks.
Aria sat down, taking it all in. This was different from the convenience store. Everything here had structure and precision. Even the way people moved felt... calculated.
She turned on her computer, logging in with the credentials she had been given. Emails, Schedules and Documents. It was a lot, but manageable. She could do this.
"Hey." A voice came in.
Amaya looked up. Maya stood beside her, holding two cups of coffee.
"Peace offering," she said, handing one over.
Amaya smiled. "You're a lifesaver."
"I know, right?."
They sat in a comfortable silence for a moment.
Then Maya leaned slightly closer. "Word of advice?"
Amaya glanced at her. "Yeah?"
"Keep your head down. Do your work. Don't get noticed by the wrong people."
Amaya blinked. "Wrong people?"
Maya shrugged. "It's a big company. Not everyone here is... nice."
Something about the way she said it made Amaya pause. But before she could ask more, a voice cut through the air.
"Ms. Bennett."
Amaya stiffened. She knew that voice before she even turned. Slowly, she looked up. And there he was. The man from the convenience store.
He was standing right in front of her desk. Dressed in a sharp suit, composed.
Her stomach dropped. "...You work here?" she asked before she could stop herself.
A faint smile touched his lips. "Of course."
Her pulse quickened. Maya glanced between them, confused. "You two know each other?"
"No," Amaya quickly said.
"At least," the man smoothly added. "not formally." His gaze locked onto Amaya's. Sharp, knowing and unsettling.
"I'm Daniel Reed," he said. Senior operations manager." The title landed heavily. He wasn't just any employee. He was someone with power.
Amaya forced herself to stand. "Aria Bennett."
"I know." The words came out soft. But it sent a chill down her spine. A brief silence swept between them. Then, a pleasant and controlled smile spread through Daniel's face. "Welcome to Blooms Global."
And just like that, he walked away. Maya immediately leaned closer. "Okay... what was that?"
Amaya slowly sat down. "I have no idea." But that wasn't entirely true. Because deep down, she knew. That man wasn't normal. He had something fishy about him.
~~~
High above them, behind the glass walls. Lucien Blues watched. His gaze fixed on the floor below. On one particular desk, and iinteraction.
His expression didn't change. But slightly, his eyes darkened. "Daniel Reed," he quietly muttered.
His assistant stepped forward. "Yes, sir?"
"Keep an eye on him." He paused, "Discreetly."
"...Understood sir."
With the instructions given, Lucien's gaze shifted back to Amaya. She looked small from this height. Unaware of his prescence. Yet, she was the center of something he couldn't ignore.
Something feels wrong ahout her. He could feel that. And he intended to find out whatever it was.
Back at Amaya's desk, she tried to focus on her screen. The emails, schdules and tasks at hand.
But her fingers paused over the keyboard. Her mind replaying one thing.
You shouldn't have.
She swallowed, subtly glancing across the office like she was being watched. Obviously, Daniel was gone. But the feeling he left behind wasn't.
For the first time since she got the job, Amaya clearly realized something. She needs to keep her guards up for whatever challenge it was.
