The elevator ride felt longer than it should have.
Lina stood stiffly beside Adrian, afraid to even breathe too loudly. The silence between them wasn't awkward—it was… heavy.
When the doors finally opened, she stepped out and froze.
The entire floor was different.
Quiet. Spacious. Elegant.
"This floor is for executive offices," Adrian said, walking ahead as if nothing was unusual. "You'll be working here."
"…Here?" Lina repeated, almost whispering.
"Yes."
She quickly followed him, trying not to stare too much—but everything was overwhelming. The glass walls, the minimalist design, the employees who looked like they stepped out of a magazine…
And then there was her.
"I feel like I'm going to break something just by walking," she muttered under her breath.
Adrian stopped.
Lina almost bumped into him again.
"Relax," he said.
"I am relaxed!" she replied quickly—too quickly.
He gave her a look.
She smiled awkwardly. "…I'll try to be."
For a brief second—
His lips curved slightly.
Again.
That almost-smile.
"Your duties are simple," he continued. "Keep this floor clean. Organize what needs organizing. That's all."
"That's all?" Lina blinked.
"That's all."
She nodded. "I can do that."
"I expect consistency," he added.
"You'll get it!"
He studied her for a moment.
Then turned and walked toward his office.
Lina stood there alone.
"…Okay," she whispered to herself, clapping her hands lightly. "New job. Big building. Scary boss."
She inhaled deeply.
"You can do this, Lina."
And just like that—
She stepped fully into a world she never imagined she'd belong to.