Chapter thirteen
I don't go to my first day on the job with as much enthusiasm as I want to.
Even after receiving the news that the position for the internship is mine, I still couldn't bring myself to feel celebratory.
Either it's guilt because of Elias, and him getting married in a few days, or it's just the fact that changes are happening in my life and I'm not processing them fast enough.
I walk in through the sliding doors at the front of the building, and the familiar space of the lobby meets my eye. It's only my second time here, but the nerves feel brand new again.
"Hey, hey, look who made it back," a voice calls from behind me, and when I turn, Leo pops into view with a stack of papers in his hand. He gives me a grin and walks behind his reception desk. "Sierra, officially no longer candidate number one."
A chuckle leaves me. "You remember that?"
"Are you kidding? You helped me win a bet. You're basically my best friend now." He flashes a smile and gestures for me to follow him. "Come on, let me show you around. You'll love it."
I fall in step beside him, already grateful for the ease he brings.
He walks with that same casual stride, hands tucked into his pockets like he has all the time in the world.
On the second thought, he probably does, since Kiki is on the other side of the lobby, behind her own reception desk.
I think that's why he doesn't need to worry if any client comes in since she can handle them.
I'm very much glad that he's around. He's somehow got this knack for putting me at ease because he talks to me as if we've known each other forever, and it gradually eases my nerves as I follow him into a room, and he places a doorstopper next to it to prevent it from closing.
It's a bright, open space with white walls littered with a bunch of cork boards hanging on them.
They're holding sketches, ideas, and sticky notes.
Industrial lights flicker on the ceiling, and a specks of color forms on the mismatched chairs around two white circular desks.
There are a lot of full pen holders on them, and it mostly looks like a room for relaxation.
"Alright, so," Leo begins. "This is where ideas come to life. Or go down the drain. Depends on the day. You'll be spending most of your time here."
He turns then and I follow, turning a corner. "And over here's the cafeteria. Unfortunately, we don't have a barista. But we do have a vending machine that eats your dollar and gives you nothing in return. Very humbling."
I can't help but chuckle a little, and after he realizes that his words have made me laugh, he grins too.
"I like it in here," I say, looking around. "I think I'll have no problem getting used to this."
"Told you it's good," Leo says, then his eyes drift behind me. He waves someone over and perks up. "Sierra, this is Theo. Possibly the only person in this building who works harder than the interns."
My eyes shift onto the man. He's tall, with dark-rimmed glasses and black tousled hair. His expression reads somewhere between amused and unimpressed, but when he looks at me, he offers a cool smile.
"New blood," he says, extending a hand. "Nice to meet you. What department?"
"Residential," I say, shaking his hand. It's warm and firm, and for some reason, trepidation flows through me. I'd be lying if I sad the man wasn't easy on the eyes.
Theo takes a hissing breath. "Clients with opinions. Good luck." His tone is dry, but there's a spark of friendliness beneath it, a gleam in his eyes that makes me crack a small smile.
Leo leans in slightly. "Theo runs commercial interiors. And don't let him fool you—he has a heart. Deep down."
Theo rolls his eyes. "Ignore him. Welcome aboard."
"Thanks," I say, feeling strangely at home already. It's not anywhere near how I imagined it all in my head. Much less scary.
Leo claps his hands. "Alright. Next stop is the rooftop. The place where people go to pretend they're on client calls."
"Aren't you supposed to be behind you desk, Leo?" Theo raises an amused brow, but looks as if he's used to him prancing around rather than staying where he's supposed to be.
"Aren't you supposed to be planning some layouts or whatever it is that you do?" Leo shoots back, making him roll his eyes. I just chuckle at them, following the blond man to the elevator.
The rest of the day goes by fast, and by the end of it, I'm positively surprised at how good it goes by. I was mainly just getting to know everybody and seing the process of work.People are mostly welcoming, but some don't really care, which is suprisingly good because I feel less pressured.
My phone screen lights up as I settle behind my own desk I was located to earlier, and I see that the group chat is active. Mia changed the name from No vibes, just vodkatoLET ELIAS brEATHE. It makes me grin, and I open the chat to look through the messages.
Mia:100%. No way we're letting Eli sulk alone
Jenny:Absolutely. What's the plan though? Where are we starting?
Elias: Not sulking
Kyle:Please don't say Sebastian's place again
Kyle: I still haven't recovered from last time
Sebastian:My place isamazing and you know it
Sebastian: But we're doing something a little classier tonight
Sebastian: Eli, you better be ready. We're kidnapping you at 6
Me:Who invited Kyle?
Kyle: Fuck you
Jenny:Lol define classier
Jenny: Also, are we doing food first or straight to drinks?
Mia:YES
Mia: It's got live music tonight, I already checked
Jenny: Shut up Seb
Jenny: One shot and I get chatty. Two shots and I tell your mom about Vegas
Sebastian: You wouldn't dare
Jenny: Keep provoking and find out
Sebastian:??
Me:What's the dress code?
Jenny:It's cute-casual, I think? Heels optional but very much encouraged ??
Elias:You guys are still up for that?
Kyle:Yeah we are, smartass
Kyle:We'll pick you up at 6 and we're making an escape plan
Mia: It's for you to loosen up Eli
Mia: Before we lose YOU
Kyle: Last night of freedom man
Elias: You can't lose me
Elias: You guys are acting as if I'm going to jail
Jenny: Well you are, technically
Sebastian: Are we meeting there or pregame somewhere?
Sebastian:Let's pregame at my place
Kyle: Not your place
Sebastian: Suck it up
Me:I'll bring wine and vodka
Me: Try not to kill each other before then
I place my phone away after that, chuckling slightly.
I like the way we just agreed that we have to keep Elias out of the house, and honestly, he deserves to get his mind off of things.
I think that the initial shock faded over the last couple of days, and we mutually decided to do our best to make those six months bearable for him as much as we can.
So without anymore waste of time, I head home to get ready.
??