Morning broke softly over the Felix household.
The gentle hum of the city outside mixed with the distant chirping of birds as sunlight spilled across Gwendolyn's room.
Her phone buzzed faintly on the nightstand. Still half asleep, she turned over, squinting at the bright screen.
1 New Message.
She groaned softly, reaching for it expecting maybe a text from Camille or Edward.
But when her eyes adjusted and the sender's name came into focus, her heart skipped.
> Venyx Corporation:
Dear Miss Felix Gwendolyn Teresa,
We are pleased to inform you that you have successfully passed the interview stage. You are hereby invited to begin your orientation at our headquarters tomorrow, 9:00 a.m.
We look forward to having you join our team.
— Project Design and Management Department, Venyx Corporation.
For a moment, she just stared, wide-eyed and motionless. Then it hit her.
"I… I got in!" she gasped, sitting upright in disbelief before bursting into a radiant smile.
Her joy filled the room like sunlight. She leapt from her bed, spinning once in excitement, her golden hair fanning out around her like a halo.
---
Downstairs, her parents were having breakfast when they heard a rush of hurried footsteps. Gwendolyn nearly stumbled as she ran down the stairs, phone in hand.
"Mother! Father!" she called, beaming. "I did it! I got accepted into Venyx Corporation!"
Her father lowered his newspaper and blinked, taken aback. "Wait, seriously? That fast?"
Mrs. Felix's face broke into a proud smile. "Oh, Gwen! That's wonderful news, dear!"
Her father chuckled warmly, pushing back his chair. "Well, I knew my daughter would make it. You've always had that fire in you."
Gwendolyn wrapped her arms around both of them, hugging tightly. "Thank you. I promise I won't let you down."
Her mother kissed her on the forehead. "Just don't forget to eat breakfast tomorrow before you conquer the world, alright?"
They all laughed, the morning filled with light and happiness.
---
Later that day, Gwendolyn met up with Camille and Edward at a small café downtown.
Camille was the first to spot her, waving energetically. "Gwen! I told you you'd pass!"
The two friends hugged tightly, laughter bubbling between them. Edward, sitting at the corner table with two cups of iced coffee, smiled at the sight.
"So," he said with a grin, "the great Venyx Corporation, huh? You really are moving up fast."
Gwendolyn chuckled, sliding into the seat beside him. "Don't jinx it. It's just orientation for now."
Camille sipped her drink and smirked. "Still, that's one of the biggest firms in the city. You're officially a career woman now."
The three of them talked for hours, about life, work, and the future, until the evening shadows began to stretch across the streets.
When they finally parted ways, Gwendolyn walked home with a quiet smile, her heart warm and full. The world felt different brighter, more open as if endless possibilities lay ahead.
---
That night, she stood before her mirror, adjusting her neatly ironed blazer and skirt, which she'd prepared for the morning. Her reflection stared back composed yet excited, eyes burning with purpose.
She whispered to herself,
"Tomorrow begins a new chapter."
As she lay down to rest, her phone buzzed one last time a short text from Edward:
> Edward: I'm proud of you, Gwen. Sleep well. Tomorrow, show them who you are.
Gwendolyn smiled, her heart steady as she placed the phone on the nightstand.
Outside, the moonlight bathed the city in a silver hue, and somewhere in the distance, the lights of the Venyx tower shimmered faintly a silent beacon calling her toward her future.
---
Morning light shimmered across the towering glass of Venyx Corporation's headquarters, each reflection glowing gold beneath the city's skyline.
Gwendolyn stood at the base of the massive building once more but this time, she wasn't an applicant.
She was an employee.
Her crisp white blouse and tailored blazer gave her a professional edge, yet beneath her calm smile, a storm of excitement brewed.
She adjusted her bag strap, took a deep breath, and walked through the tall revolving doors into the marble-floored lobby.
Everything felt different today, brighter, more alive. The employees moved with quiet confidence, their voices blending with the soft hum of elevators and the rhythmic tapping of heels.
At the reception desk, the same lady from the interview smiled when she saw her.
"Miss Felix, congratulations and welcome aboard," she said warmly, handing her a visitor badge and a small folder.
"Thank you," Gwendolyn replied with a polite bow.
"You're to report to Mr. Collins, head of the Design and Project Department. He's expecting you."
---
The elevator doors slid open with a soft chime on the seventh floor. As Gwendolyn stepped out, her eyes widened slightly.
The Design and Project Department was breathtaking, an open space lined with broad windows that offered a stunning view of the city below.
Tables were arranged neatly in clusters, each filled with sketches, digital tablets, and miniature architectural models. The air carried the faint scent of ink, paper, and polished wood the fragrance of creation.
She paused for a moment, quietly absorbing the atmosphere.
"Ah, you must be Miss Felix," a deep voice called out from behind her.
Turning, Gwendolyn found herself face-to-face with a tall man in his early forties. His dark gray suit was perfectly pressed, and his hair was streaked lightly with silver. Sharp blue eyes, calm and calculating, studied her with quiet curiosity.
He extended a hand. "I'm Mr. Collins, head of the Design and Project Department. Welcome to Venyx Corporation."
Gwendolyn quickly took his hand and bowed slightly. "It's a pleasure to meet you, sir. Thank you for having me."
Mr. Collins smiled faintly, the corners of his lips softening his otherwise stern demeanor. "You did well in your interview. It's not every day a fresh graduate gets this far. I read your file;first class in Architectural Engineering from Manchester University. Impressive."
A hint of color rose to her cheeks. "Thank you, sir. I'll do my best not to disappoint."
"I believe you won't," he said simply before gesturing for her to follow.
---
He led her past several workstations, introducing her to some of the team members.
"This is Alice, one of our senior architects,inchatge of the design team. And over there, Ethan,incharge of the project team. He handles most of our structural planning."
Each greeted her warmly, their smiles making the atmosphere feel a little less intimidating.
Mr. Collins stopped by a neatly arranged desk by the window.
"This will be your workspace," he said. "You'll start by assisting the design team on the Phase 4 Venyx Estate Project. It's still in early development, but you'll be helping with concept sketches and 3D drafts."
Her eyes sparkled at the mention. "The new Venyx estate… that's incredible."
Mr. Collins nodded approvingly. "We like enthusiasm here. Just remember precision and creativity must go hand in hand. You'll learn that quickly enough."
He placed a small ID badge on her desk.
"Welcome to the family, Miss Felix."
Before walking away, he added in a quieter tone, "And one more thing don't be afraid to ask questions. Innovation comes from curiosity."
---
The rest of the morning passed like a dream.
Gwendolyn familiarized herself with the office system, explored design layouts on her monitor, and observed her colleagues at work.
Everyone seemed focused, driven, yet there was a shared spark between them, a love for the art of building something lasting.
As noon approached, Alice leaned over from her desk and whispered, "Lunch break's at twelve. We usually eat downstairs in the café if you'd like to join."
Gwendolyn smiled. "Sure, I'd love that."
---
By the time the sun began to set, painting the city in amber tones, she found herself staring out the window of her new office exhausted but fulfilled.
Her first day had been everything she hoped for: overwhelming, enlightening, and deeply inspiring.
As she shut down her computer, Mr. Collins passed by once more, stopping briefly.
"You did well today," he said, his voice calm yet sincere. "Keep that drive, Miss Felix. It'll take you far."
"Thank you, sir," she replied with a grateful smile.
He nodded once before walking away, his footsteps fading down the corridor.
Gwendolyn turned back to the window, the city lights beginning to flicker to life below. A soft breeze brushed against the glass, and she whispered to herself,
"This… is only the beginning."
The evening sky outside Venyx Corporation glowed in shades of amber and violet as the day finally came to an end.
Inside the building, the once-bustling hallways had begun to quiet. Gwendolyn packed her notes neatly into her bag, gave one last glance at her desk, and sighed softly. Her first day had gone better than she expected, a steady start, with a few smiles and a lot to learn.
She stepped into the elevator, pressing the glowing G button. As the doors closed, the hum of the machine and the soft background music filled the silence.
Her reflection on the mirrored elevator wall showed a woman both tired and proud, her golden hair loose from the day's work, eyes still bright from excitement.
When the elevator doors slid open with a soft chime, she stepped out onto the ground floor. The reception area gleamed under the bright ceiling lights. She could already see the glass entrance ahead, the streetlights outside beginning to flicker to life.
Adjusting her bag on her shoulder, she quickened her pace toward the door and that's when it happened.
She collided with someone.
The impact sent her stumbling backward, her files slipping from her grip and scattering across the polished floor. The world seemed to pause for a moment.
Gwendolyn blinked up, heart pounding. Before her stood a tall, fair-skinned man, his presence immediately commanding. His bluish-silver hair shimmered faintly under the lobby lights, perfectly styled, and his dark blood-red eyes carried a cold, unreadable sharpness.
A black and gold-patterned suit jacket hung casually over his shoulder, his other hand tucked neatly into his pocket as if he owned the place. His expression was distant, detached, his gaze meeting hers briefly before flicking away in disinterest.
She opened her mouth to apologize, but he spoke first.
"Watch where you're going next time," he said in a low, firm voice.
Instead of offering his hand, he brushed an invisible speck of dust off his shoulder, the gesture so casual, yet so cutting, that it left her speechless for a second.
Gwendolyn froze, embarrassment burning in her cheeks.
Then, from beside him, another man stepped forward. He, too, was tall and fair-skinned, though his features were softer — his yellow-brown hair slightly tousled and his amber eyes warm with concern.
He bent down immediately, gathering her scattered files. "I'm so sorry about that," he said politely, offering her his hand. "Are you alright, miss?"
Gwendolyn hesitated a moment before accepting it. "Y-yes, I'm fine. Thank you."
As he helped her to her feet, their eyes met briefly — and she saw something kind in his expression, a sharp contrast to the icy presence beside him.
The silver-haired man exhaled quietly, his tone clipped. "We're late. Let's go."
"Yes, sir," the amber-eyed man replied, giving Gwendolyn an apologetic smile before following him toward the executive wing.
Gwendolyn stood there for a moment, adjusting her bag and steadying her breath as the two men disappeared down the hall.
The receptionist, who had witnessed the brief exchange, leaned slightly over her desk and whispered, "You just bumped into him…"
Gwendolyn blinked. "Him?"
"The company's Vice Director — Lord Adrian Venyx," the woman said in a low voice, her eyes wide. "And the one beside him… that's his assistant, Mr. Lyon Hale."
Gwendolyn's breath caught for a moment. She turned slightly toward the direction they'd gone, her mind spinning.
The Vice Director?
Her first day, and she had already collided with one of the most powerful men in the corporation.
She exhaled slowly, muttering under her breath, "Great start, Gwen. Really great."
And with that, she walked out into the cooling night, unaware that the brief encounter would soon change everything.