Summer’s POV
My heart thudded against my ribs as I pushed through the revolving doors of Stark Tower. The gleaming lobby stretched before me- all polished marble and sleek surfaces, the Stark logo prominently displayed behind the reception desk. I’d been here before, of course, but today was different. Today, I wasn’t visiting Brandon or being escorted to a conference room for an interview. Today, I was an employee.
“Good morning,” I greeted the receptionist, straightening my shoulders. “I’m Summer Taylor. It’s my first day in the Projects Division.”
The woman glanced up, her professional smile in place as she checked her computer. “Ah, yes. Ms. Taylor. Welcome to Stark Group.” She handed me a temporary ID badge. “Please take the elevator to the fourteenth floor. Mr. Schmidt’s office is at the end of the main hallway.”
I nodded my thanks, clipping the badge to my sweater. As I headed toward the elevators, I caught myself walking taller, chin lifted slightly. Being here as an actual employee felt surreal–like I was playing dress–up in someone else’s life. Brandon and I had agreed to keep our relationship under wraps at work, at least for now. I needed to prove myself on my own merits, not as “the boss’s wife.”
The elevator whisked me to the fourteenth floor, and I followed the signs toward the Projects Division. I’d been here once before for my interview with Leo Schmidt, so I navigated the corridors with relative ease. As I approached Leo’s office, a petite woman with a sleek bob and impeccable style intercepted me.
“Ms. Summer Taylor?” she asked, her eyes quickly scanning me from head to toe.
“Yes, that’s me,” I confirmed.
Her face brightened. “I’m Heather Bell, Director Schmidt’s assistant. He mentioned first thing this morning that a Ms. Taylor would be coming in today!” She extended her hand, which I shook. “Everyone’s been wondering about our unexpected new team member.”
“It’s nice to meet you, Heather,” I replied, returning her friendly smile. “I hope I’m not too early.”
“Not at all! Director Schmidt asked me to help you get settled.” She gestured for me to follow her. “Let me introduce you to a few colleagues first, then we’ll head to HR to handle your onboarding paperwork.”
As we walked down the corridor, Heather glanced at me curiously. “You know, you look really familiar. Where did you work before joining us?”
I kept my smile in place, carefully sidestepping the question. “Oh, nothing special. Just a smaller firm you probably haven’t heard of. The last thing I needed was for people to connect me with Fortune Corp on my first day.
“Really?” Heather looked unconvinced. “You definitely don’t have an ordinary face. I would have remembered meeting someone like you before.”
I laughed it off. “Trust me, I’ve just got one of those faces that looks like someone else. Happens all the time.”
If you say so, she conceded, though her tone suggested she didn’t buy it for a second. “Though I’m pretty sure someone with your… presence wouldn’t go unnoticed anywhere.”
We entered a large open office space where several people were busy at their desks. Conversations hushed as we walked in, curious eyes following our progress across the room. I felt like a new exhibit at the zoo.
“Everyone, Heather announced, “this is Summer Taylor, our newest team member in Projects.”
A chorus of greetings followed, along with not–so–subtle whispers. I caught snippets like “mid–quarter hire” and “not the usual
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process. Clearly, my arrival was causing a stir.
An hour later, I was officially an employee of Stark Group. I had an ID badge, login credentials, and my own desk in the Projects Division. Heather had provided me with folders containing past projects for review.
‘Director Schmidt said to familiarize yourself with these,” she explained. “They’re examples of our completed projects from the past
two years.”
Left alone at my new workstation, I flipped through the files, trying to get a feel for the division’s work style. The projects were impressive–large–scale commercial developments, high–end residential complexes, and mixed–use urban renewal initiatives. The scope made Fortune Corp’s projects look like child’s play.
I felt a wave of uncertainty. What exactly was I supposed to do here? I hadn’t been assigned any specific tasks yet, and I had no idea what Leo Schmidt expected from me. Was I supposed to jump in and offer input on ongoing projects? Wait to be assigned something specific? I was used to having clear objectives, not this ambiguous welcome.
As I pondered these questions, a shadow fell across my desk. I looked up to find Leo Schmidt standing there, his expression
unreadable.
“Ms. Taylor,” he said, his voice clipped and professional, “please come to my office for a moment.”
My stomach tightened with anxiety as I followed him. His office looked the same as during my interview, except his desk wasn’t buried under mountains of paperwork this time.
“Please, sit,” he gestured to the chair across from his desk.
I smoothed my skirt and sat down, trying to project confidence despite my racing heart.
“Ms. Taylor,” Leo began, “now that you’ve passed the evaluation process, I’d like to welcome you to the Projects Division. I look forward to our collaboration and mutual growth.”
His formal tone caught me off guard. “Thank you, Director Schmidt. And please, call me Summer.”
Leo studied me with unexpected intensity, as if trying to solve a puzzle. “Very well, Summer. I noticed you were reviewing our past project files. What are your impressions so far?”
I blinked, surprised by the direct question. “Oh! Well, they’re very comprehensive and well–executed. I noticed that several Stark idéd Group shopping centers follow a similar construction model, which seems to work well. Beyond that…” I hesitated, ther
cale.” honesty was best. “Truthfully, while I worked in a projects department before, I have a lot to learn about operations at
Leo’s eyebrows rose slightly, as if my admission of ignorance wasn’t what he’d expected. After a moment, he nodded.
“Actually, reviewing files can only teach you so much,” he said, standing abruptly. “I’ve always preferred practical experience over theoretical learning.”
He reached for his suit jacket hanging on a nearby coat rack. “You’ve just arrived and don’t have any assignments yet.”
“Are you heading out?” I asked, watching as he collected a folder from his drawer.
‘Yes. And since you’re free, you’ll come with me,” he stated matter–of–factly.
‘Now? I blurted out.
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