Lily pulled the lip gloss and a small makeup mirror out of her bag. She carefully applied another layer and smiled at her reflection.
Today was important.
She was about to work with one of the biggest companies in the country.
She had woken up early that morning and set off for work, but stopped by the restaurant to grab herself a coffee and a croissant before heading to the office.
She took a deep breath, closed the mirror, slipped it back into her bag, and stepped out of the car.
Lily looked around.
The environment was much busier than usual. Cars were constantly moving in and out of the garage, and employees hurried toward the building with laptops and folders in their hands.
Today was a special day for both companies.
Every year, Denwalk Shipping Company and North Star Branding held a meeting to discuss ways they could collaborate and improve their services for their clients.
Last year, Rodney's company (North Star Branding)had worked with Denwalk to create a website that allowed customers to track their packages, check waiting times, and receive updates about delays.
The project had been a success.
Lily sighed softly.
She had only recently joined the company when that project started, so she hadn't been involved in it.
But this year was different.
She stopped briefly at the front gate and glanced up at the company sign.
"Please… just let this meeting be a success," she whispered.
Then she walked inside.
* * * * * * *
Lily tossed the disposable coffee cup into the bin beside her desk and leaned back in her chair.
The meeting was scheduled to start at 9:30 a.m.
Her laptop clock read 9:17 a.m.
When she arrived earlier, she had noticed several employees already heading toward the conference room, but she decided to come to her office first. She needed a moment to gather her thoughts before the meeting.
She took her laptop out of her bag and opened the presentation slides.
Standing up, she glanced at the introduction slide and began pacing slowly around the room.
She imagined herself standing at the front of the conference room.
"Good morning everyone," she murmured quietly. "My name is Lily, and today I'll be introducing the purpose of this mee—"
PING
She stopped mid-sentence and pulled her phone from her bag.
[Joycelyn]Mr. Walter said we should get to the conference room now. It seems Mr. Oliver, the other representative for North Star Branding, has another important meeting after this, so he wants to get this over with quickly.
Her phone vibrated again.
[Joycelyn]But are you ready though? Is everything alright?
Lily exhaled slowly.
Even if she wasn't ready, she still had to do it. She had accepted the responsibility.
Yes, she was nervous, but if this went well, it could mean a promotion.
She quickly typed back.
[Lily]Yeah, I'm okay. I'll be there in a bit.
She slipped the phone back into her bag, grabbed her laptop, and left the office.
Lily walked down the hallway toward the conference room.
Just as she was about to enter, she noticed a familiar face walking in the same direction.
Her steps slowed.
It was the man she had seen at the club.
The same man who had called her—
"Rosalinda."
Lily quickly brushed the thought away.
He didn't know her. There was no way.
She must have imagined it.
Still, she glanced at him one last time as he walked toward the conference room.
Then she pushed the door open and stepped inside.