So far, the day was going great. I was doing what I loved, even if it wasn't quite at the level I wanted to start at. Still, it was enough for now. The simple coding task I was assigned felt like second nature, and I finished it within minutes. Not to brag or anything, but considering I graduated at the top of my class with honors in tech school, it wasn't surprising.
As I submitted my completed work, Sean stopped by, raising an eyebrow as he glanced at my screen. "Already done?"
I shrugged casually, leaning back in my chair. "Yeah, it wasn't too complicated. I double-checked everything, so it should be good to go."
He let out a low whistle, nodding approvingly. "Nice. Most new hires take a while to get the hang of things, but you seem comfortable already. Keep this up, and you'll be on bigger projects in no time."
"Sean, meeting in my office now!" A sharp voice came through the office and everyone in the office stopped what they were doing, I turned to look and it was Miss. Quinn. Her expression stern and serious, Sean gave me an awkward smile as he patted my shoulders.
"Start your new task." He said as he walked away, a few more other workers urgently got up from their desks and headed to her offic.
I nodded at Sean as he walked away, though his awkward smile and Miss Quinn's sharp tone left me slightly on edge. The sudden tension in the office was palpable; even those not heading to her office glanced over nervously before returning to their work.
I turned my attention back to my screen, pulling up the new task Sean had left for me. It was more complex than the previous one, requiring me to analyze a series of data logs and identify inconsistencies in the program. It was the kind of work I loved—problem-solving and digging into the finer details of code to ensure everything ran smoothly.
Still, I couldn't completely block out the murmurs around me or the faint sound of the office door closing behind Miss Quinn. The air felt heavier now, like everyone was walking on eggshells. I glanced around discreetly, noticing a few colleagues exchanging uneasy looks.
I took a deep breath and refocused. You're here to work, not to worry about office drama. I reminded myself. Whatever was going on in that meeting was none of my business—at least, not yet.
Minutes turned into an hour as I dove into the task, the lines of code becoming my refuge. By the time I had completed it, it was lunchtime and the office atmosphere had shifted again, more relaxed now. Sean emerged from Miss Quinn's office, his expression neutral but his posture a little stiff.
He didn't come back to my desk immediately, instead making his way over to a few senior team members. I caught snippets of their hushed conversation—something about deadlines and adjustments. I pretended not to notice, turning my focus back to organizing my notes for the day.
Not long after, Sean finally approached the new hires, his demeanor more casual but still a bit strained. "You guys can tak your lunch breaks now,"
"Thanks," I said, standing and stretching my arms after being hunched over the desk for so long. A few of the other new hires murmured their own thanks as they got up to leave.
As I grabbed my bag, I debated where to go for lunch. The office cafeteria seemed like a safe option, but part of me wanted to explore the area and find a quiet spot to decompress. It had been an intense morning, and some fresh air sounded like a good idea.
I ended up deciding on a small café a few blocks away. The walk gave me time to clear my head and process the day so far. By the time I reached the café, the smell of freshly brewed coffee and baked goods immediately lifted my mood.
I ordered a sandwich and a coffee, then found a table by the window. As I ate, the cafe door swung open and unexpectedly Miss. Quinn and Sean walked in. This time she looked more calmer and relaxed, Sean had his arm around her shoulders his hand gently rubbing her arm.
I froze for a moment, mid-bite, as I processed the sight in front of me. Miss Quinn, the usually stern and composed manager, looked completely different—her expression softer, her posture more at ease. Sean, who always seemed professional but approachable, looked equally relaxed as he leaned slightly toward her, his hand moving comfortingly along her arm.
I quickly averted my gaze, not wanting to seem like I was staring. But curiosity burned at the back of my mind. Was this the same Miss Quinn who had the entire office walking on eggshells earlier? The same Sean who had come out of her office looking like he'd just walked through a storm?
I sipped my coffee, trying to act casual, though I couldn't help but glance at them again. They didn't notice me—or if they did, they didn't let it show. They moved to a table near the back, away from the main crowd.
From where I sat, I could only catch snippets of their conversation, though it seemed more personal than professional. Sean leaned closer, speaking in a low tone, while Miss Quinn nodded, a small smile tugging at her lips.
"I'm telling you, once this system is back up and running, I'm drinking my soul away." Her voice came through, "I'm not going to be there to take you home." Sean replied with a slight chuckle.
"Oh please, I'm a grown woman I don't need a little bitty boy like you to take care of me." She replied her tone full of sarcasm. "Oh, so who did you call when you were out hella drunk with Mila?"
I froze, pretending to be deeply engrossed in the last few crumbs of my sandwich, but my ears couldn't help catching the playful tone of their conversation. Miss Quinn's sarcastic remark and Sean's teasing comeback painted a picture of a dynamic I hadn't imagined between them.
"Oh, please," she retorted, rolling her eyes as she leaned back in her chair. "That was one time. Don't act like you're my designated babysitter."
Sean smirked, taking a sip of his drink. "One time? Try three. Who do you think got you out of that cab before Mila started posting all those drunk karaoke videos?"
Miss Quinn groaned, covering her face with her hands. "Ugh, don't remind me. I still can't believe she posted that. I've never lived it down."
"You're lucky I made her delete the worst ones," Sean added with a laugh. "You're welcome, by the way."
She peeked at him through her fingers, her smile betraying her mock irritation. "I don't even know why I keep you around."
"Because you'd be lost without me," Sean quipped, shrugging casually.
Their banter was oddly endearing, and for a moment, I almost forgot the stern and authoritative versions of them I had seen at work. Here, they seemed more human, more relatable.
I decided it was time to head back to the office before they noticed me, not wanting to risk any awkwardness. As I gathered my things and stood up, I couldn't help but think about how different people could be outside the professional bubble.
————————
As the hours ticked by, the simple tasks slowly started to feel more like a routine than a challenge. I found myself glancing at the clock more often, my eyes wandering to the window as the office dimmed with the setting sun. It had been a productive first day, but I was ready to leave and unwind.
Finally, the time came to clock out. I gathered my things, shutting down my computer and stuffing my notes into my bag. A few of the other new hires were already heading out, chatting about their plans for the evening. I took a deep breath, feeling the weight of the day lift off my shoulders.
As I made my way toward the elevator,
I noticed Miss Quinn standing there, her focus entirely on her phone. She seemed a bit absorbed, her brow furrowed as she typed something quickly. I hesitated for a moment, unsure whether to acknowledge her or not, but then I figured it wouldn't hurt to be polite.
"Heading out for the day?" I asked, my voice breaking the quiet of the lobby.
She looked up, a slight surprise in her eyes before she gave a quick, almost apologetic smile. "Oh,umm…" looks like she has already forgotten my name.
"Asani," I said, offering a small but knowing smile.
Her eyes widened for a moment, as if trying to recall something, before her expression softened. "Right, Asani. Sorry about that, long day," she said with a small chuckle, looking slightly embarrassed.
"No worries," I replied, shrugging it off. "It happens."
She gave me a grateful smile and gestured toward the elevator. "Heading out, huh? How was your first day?"
"It was good, a little overwhelming at first, but I think I'm getting the hang of it," I said, feeling a little more confident talking about the day now that I had some distance from it.
"That's what I like to hear," Miss Quinn replied. She seemed to pause for a second, like she was about to say something more, but then just shook her head. "Well, just keep at it. You'll get there."
The elevator doors opened with a soft chime, and she stepped inside, holding the door open for me.
"Thanks," I said, stepping in as well. The doors closed, and the elevator began its descent.
With that her phone rang and she quickly answered it, "yes, I'm heading down now."
I nodded, glancing at her as she spoke into the phone, her tone shifting to something more professional. "Alright, see you in a few," she said before hanging up.
I could sense the change in her demeanor, the calm focus settling over her. The ride down the elevator felt quieter now, with both of us lost in our own thoughts. Once we reached her stop she quickly walked out with even saying goodbye, guess a busy woman doesn't have time for little chats.
As she walked away I couldn't help but admire her, the way she walked with confidence even when she was in a rush, her suit jacket fitting perfectly over her frame, her posture straight and purposeful. There was a certain aura about her, a quiet authority that commanded attention, even in the simplest of actions. I found myself wondering how she was like outside of manger mode, was she laid back how she was laid back around Sean?
I shook my head, pushing the thought aside. I wasn't here to admire her; I was here to work and earn money.
As I exited the building, I took a deep breath of the evening air, feeling the cool breeze wash over me. The city was still buzzing with life, but for now, I felt a little more at ease, the weight of the first day at work starting to lift.
TBC