Chapter 5
MEGAN
The next morning, I had pep in my step as I entered the office building.
I was super happy with my decision. This was a great job that would look fantastic on my résumé, and I would learn a lot.
I got a visitor’s badge at the entrance.
The receptionist on the ground floor, Elvis, informed me that I would receive my permanent employee badge from the HR manager in my company.
I wedged myself in the elevator with eight others, too eager to get upstairs to wait for the next one.
When I arrived on my floor, there was no one at the front desk, just like there hadn’t been anyone the first time I came here. I wasn't sure what to do. Should I wait?
I heard voices coming from Luke’s office. My entire body tingled at the sound of his voice. The deep tone stood out; it was smooth and rich at the same time.
Great start, Megan. Great start.
I went to his office to announce my presence. His door was wide open when I arrived, but I knocked anyway because he was in there with two other men.
"Good morning," I said.
"Morning, Megan." He stood up, and so did the other guys. I was impressed by their manners.
They turned around, and I thought they looked a bit like Luke.
They were both tall and incredibly well-built.
Looking at the three of them, one could be fooled into thinking they were fitness instructors or models.
One had slightly longer hair, and the other one seemed younger than Luke by a couple years or so.
"Hi," I said.
"I’m Travis," the one with longer hair introduced himself.
"I'm the new hire. You're a colleague?"
"Oh, no, no, no," Travis said. "We're his brothers.”
“We're just in here in his office to cause trouble,” the other man said. “Not that he needs any help. I'm Sam, by the way."
"I used to have an office on this floor too," Travis added. “I’m going to start using it again soon.”
"And you also?" I asked Sam.
"No, I'm just visiting."
"I think I'm overwhelmed," I said with a smile. Good Lord, these men are hot.
Travis nodded, grinning from ear to ear. "We do tend to have that effect on people."
Sam turned to Luke, asking, "Are you coming for coffee, or do you need to talk to Megan first?"
"Megan, let me introduce you to our HR manager. Then I’ll go up with you two. Just wait for me here, okay?"
"Sure," Travis said as Sam yawned.
Luke came over to me, gesturing at the hall. "It’s down this corridor, two doors away."
"Okay." Stepping out of the room, we walked side by side. Suddenly the corridor felt a little bit too narrow, as if Luke filled it with all his magnetic presence. He simply dominated the space.
I was trying to ignore what he’d said last night. “There are so many more fucking things I need. But as of this moment, we’re not in no-man’s-land anymore, Megan.”
We stepped into an office where a blonde woman with a short bob was sitting behind a desk. I recognized her from my three interviews.
Luke gestured between us. "Donna, this is Megan."
I smiled at her. "We already know each other."
“That’s right,” Luke said with a nod.
I suddenly realized Donna must have been expecting me two days ago. I wondered what Luke told her about that first meeting. I wished I had a chance to ask him.
I shook hands with her as we exchanged our hellos. Donna’s office was small but cozy, and though she didn't have a floor-to-ceiling window like Luke, it was wide, so it let in plenty of light.
Luke moved toward the door. "I’ll leave Megan in your hands. I know you'll take good care of her."
Donna smiled at him. "Yes, I will. Say hi to Sam for me."
"Sure. You can always come and say hi yourself, you know."
She shook her head. "No, no, I'm here to do your dirty work, as usual, while you're off having fun with your brothers."
"Donna, don't be so judgmental. Sam is only here once in a blue moon. I have to take advantage of that."
"True."
Their banter was playful, like family. This office had good vibes, and I liked that.
After he left, I sat down in front of her desk.
"Are you feeling better?" Donna asked.
"Hm?" I replied, not sure what she was referring to, yet hoping she hadn’t heard of my freak-out the other day.
"Luke mentioned you weren't feeling well, so that's why you postponed your first day."
"Oh, yes, I'm much better." I’d have to thank him later for the cover. Or maybe not. No need to go there.
"That's great. Now let's see. I've got everything I need here," she said, opening what I noticed was my file. "Have you met Sam and Travis? I heard they were in Luke’s office."
"Yes, I did.” I answered, then thought to ask, “What does he mean by Sam isn't here? Doesn’t he live in Chicago too?"
"He's working with Doctors Without Borders. I actually forgot what country he's in right now."
"And Travis?"
"We used to see a lot more of him back when he owned his business. He sold it a while ago. It was an app he created, and he did very well with the sale. Now he's on a sabbatical of some kind, I think."
“So, Luke, Declan, and Travis have offices here. I saw the name Maxwell on three floors.”
“It used to be four before Travis sold his business. Tate is also here."
"Oh, yes, Maxwell Wines," I said. "I know them, of course."
Donna beamed. "Who doesn't, right? Okay, well, I already have your laptop and company phone ready," she said, opening a drawer, taking out a security badge, a black laptop, and an iPhone, and putting them right in front of me.
"Thank you."
"We don't have a dress code. Everyone dresses the way they like. Some business, others casual. Do you have any questions?"
"Not right now."
"If you change your mind, let me know. Or just send me an email. The first thing you'll find in your inbox is a list with everyone's email, their positions, and what projects they’re currently involved in."
"Where is that listed?"
“In our intranet portal. You’ll find all your login data in your inbox.
There are a few tutorial videos on how to use the intranet.
It’s a great way to share company tools and information—it’s all there.
You’ll also have a personal folder, under ‘Intern Program’ as well as all your new hire papers.
You’ll see some tasks and activities already, but it’s updated weekly.
We follow a standard protocol we’ve perfected over the years, but we adapt it if a new learning opportunity comes up. ”
"That's exciting," I said.
“Since you also want to apply for the US Architecture Design Award, your schedule will change to afford you time to work on your project if you’re accepted into the competition.”
“Really? That’s generous.”
Donna winked at me. “It reflects well on us if you make it into the top three, so it’s a win-win. Now let’s go. I'll introduce you to the team."
I held my laptop and phone in my arms, balancing them with the bag on my shoulder. Donna informed me that all the Maxwell brothers had their offices up here, even though their teams were split up on all floors.
Our team had ten offices on this level. Each room had four desks. I liked that there were no cubicles. Those were downright claustrophobic. I greeted everyone but didn’t even attempt to memorize their names. I was going to learn them in due time.
“This is where you’ll be today,” Donna said as we entered a room where there were three guys. The only empty seat was next to the window. "This is Klaus, Derrick, and Jonathan. Boys, behave."
"Oh, we will," Klaus said. "We saved you that seat, but don't get too attached. We have a flexible workplace policy, so when you come in in the morning, you can just search for a spot."
"How come the best spot in the room is empty, then?" I asked.
Jonathan grinned. "It was my idea. I thought we should save the best for our new intern. You know, impress you a little bit."
That made me laugh. This was a remarkably laid-back team.
"Thank you, I appreciate it. I love sitting by the window."
"Again, don't get used to it," Klaus said. "We're not always that nice. Just on your first day."
"Roger that," I said.
"Donna, you can leave her with us," Derrick said. "We'll fill her in on the nitty-gritty of this place.”
"I'm sure you will," Donna said. "Megan, if you need anything, email me, or just walk to my office."
"Will do, thanks."
I sat down, spinning once in my chair just to look out the window. This was an amazing spot. Seeing Chicago from above was breathtaking.
I connected my laptop to the desktop monitor and spent the morning getting acquainted with my computer and the team, carefully going through every note in the corporate file on the intranet.
It was truly well organized. I’d never worked somewhere with an intranet and was glad it was so easy and intuitive.
My internship program was especially very detailed.
I was looking forward to everything. I had a lot of catch-up meetings with my mentor, and I did most projects with the same person.
There was also a note that if I participated in the competition, my mentor and I would get dedicated time slots for that. I wondered who I’d been assigned to.
Around lunchtime, someone knocked at the door. I turned around, and my breath caught. Luke was in the doorway. Oh my. I instantly felt the energy in the room change. I wondered if he only had that effect on me or everyone in general.
"Team, let's go to the meeting room. I ordered lunch for everyone," he announced.
"Oh yeah," Derrick exclaimed as we all got up. We walked behind Luke, who was poking his head into every office.
The meeting room was huge, with an oval table in the center. There was a buffet set up against the wall.
"Wow," I exclaimed as we all moved inside. "We eat like this every day?"
"No, this is to welcome you to the team,” Klaus explained.
My eyes widened.
He shook his head. "He does this for everyone. Don't get your knickers in a twist."
I felt myself blush. Klaus laughed.