"Bump!"
Fllluuew!
The files I was holding flew into the air after I bumped into someone. I hurriedly scrambled to catch them, trying not to lose a single sheet. It was my first day at Ravcorp Enterprises, and I had just been assigned to the Customer Service Division. The stack of files I had been handed contained vital questionnaires, there was no way I could afford to lose them.
"I'm so sorry," I said while trying to catch the papers still fluttering in the air.
"You should be punished for this! Do you know how much this suit costs?" a deep male voice snapped.
I hadn't even realized I had bumped into a man until I gathered all the files and looked up. The papers had flown everywhere, fluttering between us like scattered snowflakes. Now that I'd collected them, I finally saw his face, and his full frame.
He was wearing a typical business suit, the kind most people in the building wore. I was about to question what the fuss was about when my eyes caught it, the barely noticeable coffee stain near the hem of his blazer.
Damn. I'd completely forgotten about the quarter cup of coffee I was holding when the files were given to me. I could've finished it in two or three sips.
"I'm really sorry," I said again, trying to dab the coffee stain with a napkin I found in my bag. "It's a black suit; I figured it would dry quickly."
"This is an Alexander McQueen customized suit. One of the most expensive designer suits out there. I bet you couldn't even afford a single sleeve," he said arrogantly, eyeing me with distaste.
I was taken aback. Who the hell did this man think he was? My inner lioness wanted to roar. I wanted to devour him right there and then like a predator does its prey.
Just then, a young lady around my age came running in.
"Sir, we've been expecting you. The board meeting already started," she said, grabbing his suitcase.
He kept glaring at me like I had committed a capital crime. My stomach churned. He was clearly someone important, maybe even a top executive. The thought made me shrink. I needed this job more than anything. Losing it on my first day would be a disaster.
The petite lady looked from him to me, then back again, clearly sensing the tension.
"Sir, is there a problem?" she asked cautiously.
"Yes, there is a problem," he said coldly, eyes still fixed on me.
"Who are you?"
"I...I'm one of the new Customer Service Representatives," I stammered.
"Oh, I see. Another one of the new CS reps. Always clumsy and distracted. Seems like it's a trend with your kind. Sadly, you're no different from the last batch we had to fire."
The word fired hit me like a slap. My chest tightened. Not again. I needed this job, desperately.
"Please, I'm really sorry," I said, my voice shaking.
"No, you're not."
He turned to the lady beside him. "Cecilia, take the suitcase to my office."
"Okay, sir. But what about the board meeting?" she asked hesitantly.
"Are you deaf? I said take the damn suitcase to my office!" he barked, and Cecilia scurried away like a frightened cat.
I saw the fear that engulfed her, the way it wrapped around her like a second skin. He was clearly used to being obeyed, and feared.
"And as for you," he said, turning back to me, "make sure to report to my office before the end of the day."
He took a few steps, then suddenly stopped and turned around.
"You know what? Bring a pen, with which to sign your resignation."
In that moment, my soul felt like it left my body. My heart sank. I swear, tears were already threatening to fall. Resigning from Ravcorp? On my first day? That would be the worst thing to happen to me.
No. I'd rather be fired than resign.
The next thing I knew, I found myself following him. I was disappointed, how could he ask me to resign just because I had accidentally bumped into him?
"Please, sir, I said I was sorry," I pleaded, trailing closely behind.
He didn't respond. He kept walking silently. We passed several areas of the company, and many staff members stared in utter shock. Some gave me subtle signs to turn back. Most of them were entry-level employees.
For a moment, I wondered what his position was in the company that gave him the audacity to treat me like this.
I continued pleading until he walked into the conference room. The board members were already waiting. The moment we entered together, all eyes turned to us. Suddenly, I saw Cecilia's eyes widen as she was stepping out of the boardroom.
"What are you doing?" she whispered urgently.
The tension in the room was thick. A chart appeared on the projector, and everyone seemed to scurry into action, trying to look busy, trying to please him. Then he took a seat at the head of the table, which confirmed my suspicion: he was probably the CEO.
"You're welcome, Mr. Walker," one of the board members greeted him. The rest followed, murmuring their own greetings.
He ignored them entirely, as though they were beneath him.
"Ravcorp has been a leading company in the pharmaceutical industry," he began. "We have always aimed to manufacture high-quality medication and we've succeeded. But now, we're facing serious competition. We need to rethink our statistics, and more importantly, create something unique that separates us from the rest."
, "but we have implemented all our current strategies. Now we hope that our latest data, based on our personalized buyers, will yield results." one of the board members chipped in.
The discussion dragged on. They talked about relays, projections, and countless technicalities. It was frustrating watching them deliberate over issues I found surprisingly simple. Wait... this is my area of expertise.
Was my degree in Business Administration going to waste?
"Maybe you all should try the UVP," I said aloud, unable to hold back.
The room fell silent. All eyes darted toward me.
"Excuse me?" the CEO asked, clearly irritated. "What gives you the right to interfere in our meeting?"
"I was just saying… implementing the UVP could help," I said firmly.
"What is UVP?" one of the board members asked.
"Sorry, my bad. It stands for 'Unique Value Proposition.'"
Everyone went quiet, staring at me expectantly. My eyes met Cecilia's, she was standing in a corner, gaping at me in disbelief. I could almost hear her inner voice screaming for me to shut up and get out.
"Ask yourself," I continued, facing the CEO, "why would a hospital or pharmacy choose Ravcorp over our competitors?"
He looked furious, even though he was trying not to show it. Then, without warning, he began walking toward me.
"We need to find out what our competitors are doing differently… and do it better. We need to..."
Before I could finish, he grabbed me and dragged me out of the boardroom.
It happened so fast, like a blur. One moment I was in a room full of executives, the next, I was in his office.
I was sure of it, I was about to be fired. Or worse, he'd force me to resign.
But to my utter shock, the moment the door shut behind us, he kissed me.
Yes, you read right. He kissed me.
It was deep. Unexpected. Sweet. The kind of kiss I hadn't experienced in a long time. I should have pulled away, but I didn't. Instead, I leaned in, craving more.
And he gave it.
Our kiss deepened, lingering far longer than it should have.
I hadn't said this before, but from the moment I bumped into him, I was taken aback by his looks, his handsome features, sharp jawline, and those intense, daring eyes. I liked what I saw. His arrogance had initially buried those feelings, but now… now, with my lips tangled in his, it was clear.
He must've felt something too.
We kissed again and again, lost in what felt like an endless moment neither of us wanted to end.