133
The buzz on the floor felt alive, like a pulse running through the walls of the office. Conversations overlapped, chairs scraped back, and even the most stoic employees couldn't stop glancing toward Amanda.
"Coffee run!" one of the interns shouted, already snatching up a notepad. "If Amanda just landed us a collaboration like that, we're fueling the celebration properly."
"Make it double," someone from design chimed in, tossing a few bills into the intern's hand. "And don't come back without donuts. This is a landmark day."
Laughter rippled across the room. Amanda shook her head, warmth rising to her cheeks. "You guys are too much."
But before she could stop them, someone passed her a sparkling water like it was champagne, holding it out with both hands like a sacred offering.
Amanda raised a brow but accepted, and suddenly, everyone else had lifted whatever was in their hands—coffee cups, water bottles, energy drinks, even a half-finished protein shake.
"To Amanda!" a voice rang out.
"To the campaign!" another echoed.
"And to the boss lady for backing it!" came a cheeky shout from the back of the room.
The floor erupted into cheers, voices overlapping in a ragged but joyful chorus. A few people clapped, others whistled. The intern, still halfway out the door for coffee, threw both hands up in the air like they'd just won the lottery.
Amanda lifted her can reluctantly but grinning, cheeks glowing pink under all the attention.
"Okay, okay—thank you. But let's get one thing straight: this wasn't just me.
Every late night, every mock-up, every brainstorm—you all made this campaign happen.
I just had the boards in my hands. It's your work that sold it. "
"Don't be modest!" someone shouted, but Amanda smiled, shaking her head.
"No really," she continued, her voice carrying in the sudden hush. "It's only the beginning. We've got deadlines to crush, and big moves to make. But right now? Right now you should celebrate. Because you earned it."
The applause that followed thundered louder than before, so much so that a few people from other floors peeked in through the glass doors to see what was going on.
And then—like a snap of cold air—the room quieted as a smooth, commanding voice sliced through the noise.
"Enough standing around."
Every head turned. Ericka had stepped out of her office, her navy suit immaculate, her presence impossible to ignore. The room stilled instantly, posture straightening, chatter silenced.
Ericka stepped out of her office, navy suit flawless, emerald eyes scanning the room with cool precision. The chatter died instantly, employees straightening at their desks.
Amanda's heart jumped, bracing herself for Ericka to shut the whole thing down.
But instead, Ericka crossed the room, heels clicking steadily until she came to stand directly at Amanda's side. In a move so rare it stunned everyone, she placed her hand firmly on Amanda's shoulder.
"This collaboration wasn't luck," Ericka said, her voice steady but resonant. "It was vision. Amanda saw what this campaign could be when others didn't. And from this point forward, you will treat her direction on this project as you would mine. Clear?"
"Yes, Ms. Mathews," the staff echoed, voices unified.
Amanda's chest tightened, her breath catching in her throat.
Ericka gave her shoulder a small, grounding squeeze before looking back to the room. "So celebrate. Be proud of this win—you've earned it."
A murmur of relief swept through the staff, smiles breaking across faces.
Then Ericka's tone sharpened, that CEO edge cutting back through the moment. "But make sure you finish your work. The campaign isn't won in one meeting. It's won in the execution. Understood?"
"Yes, Ms. Mathews," came the chorus again, just as firm.
"Good." With that, Ericka turned on her heel, retreating back into her office, door clicking shut behind her.
The celebration picked up again, though quieter now, more focused. A few people clapped Amanda on the back, others whispered to each other about what had just happened.
Amanda stood frozen for a moment, still feeling the weight of Ericka's hand on her shoulder, still hearing the words that had shifted everything.
For the first time, she wasn't just the assistant. She was someone the boss had claimed—openly, unmistakably.
"Holy shit," one of the designers whispered as they walked past, wide-eyed. "That's the most praise she's ever given anyone."
"She never touches people like that," another muttered, shaking their head. "She just... put her hand on your shoulder like you're her equal."
Amanda finally exhaled, a slow smile tugging at her lips. Equal. Partner. Chosen.