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I blinked against the harsh light of the morning sun filtering through my apartment window, squinting at the digital clock on my nightstand. 8:00 AM. Perfect. I groaned as I swung my legs over the side of the bed, feeling the cold wooden floor hit my feet. The reality of my situation still felt surreal—a dream wrapped in layers of exhaustion and defiance.
I was Samara (Sam) Wellington, 25 years old, and officially free from the golden cage my family had kept me in. I glanced around my modest two-bedroom apartment, the walls painted a soft teal that I had lovingly chosen with Jess, my best friend since middle school. The place had an eclectic vibe, filled with mismatched furniture, quirky art pieces, and the chaotic charm that only two twenty-something girls could create. My side of the living room was a small battlefield of clothes, half-folded or just thrown about—evidence of my relentless schedule at work.
Managing my unkempt hair into the semblance of a ponytail, I grabbed the wrinkled shirt off my desk. The fabric smelled faintly of coffee—my most faithful companion throughout those sleepless nights spent juggling a job and the occasional emotional meltdown. I had finally grown tired of my overprotective parents and my two older brothers hovering over my every decision, suffocating under the weight of their expectations. Leaving had been a swift and liberating decision—one made in the heat of anger, but one I never regretted.
A quick shower and a splash of perfume later, I was out the door, half-heartedly checking my appearance in the reflection of a window as I left the building. My heart sank as I checked my phone—11 missed calls from my parents and unanswered messages from my brothers. Argh! Why couldn't they just let me build my own life? I loved them, but I didn't want to be caged in their expectations any longer. Sighing, I put my phone back in my purse and called for a taxi.
Just another day at Hargrove & Co., a small marketing company nestled in the heart of the city. I snickered at the thought of my "fierce" personality, known to most of my colleagues, but overshadowed by my clumsy and shy nature. I often thought out loud, mixing bravado with self-doubt—a recipe for hilarity most days.
---
The office was bustling when I arrived, the chatter of employees mixing with the smell of brewed coffee and freshly printed pages. I maneuvered through the maze of cubicles, nodding at familiar faces while my mind jumped ahead to the day's tasks.
"Morning, Sam!" called out Laura, my co-worker. She was sipping her coffee like it was the elixir of life, her bright smile cutting through the dreary ambiance.
"Morning! Ready for another 'Exciting Monday'?" I shot back, rolling my eyes as we exchanged our usual banter. It was a running joke among us.
But my lighthearted mood could hardly withstand the atmosphere of tension that had settled in since our senior manager, Derek, had taken an inexplicable interest in my work. Derek—tall, athletic, with a cocky smile that made my skin crawl. I had heard whispers from colleagues about his unprofessional behavior, but I had hoped I could fly under the radar.
The morning hours dragged on. I was deep into a project when Derek approached me, his presence looming like a shadow.
"Sam, could you come here a second? I need to discuss your latest campaign drafts," he said, his tone too smooth, slipping over me like oil. I straightened in my chair.
"Sure, what's up?" I turned to face him, attempting to put on my bravest smile.
---
As he leaned against my cubicle, a sudden wave of discomfort washed over me. "Don't pretend to be shy. Come on, let's have some fun. I promise to make you feel better." Without warning, he placed a hand on my thigh, the touch sending a jolt of adrenaline through my body. My fierce spirit ignited instantly, a fire that had smoldered for far too long.
"Get your hands off me!" I spat, rising to my feet. I recalled the self-defense moves my brothers had insisted I learn and, fueled by fury, I punched him hard across the jaw, sending shockwaves through my fist. Then, with a swift kick aimed low, I ended with a satisfying blow that would put his lineage in danger.
Derek stumbled back, surprise etched on his face as he landed on the floor. I felt the rush of adrenaline heightening my senses.
Adrenaline coursed through me, the intoxicating blend of fear and triumph. The office fell silent, all eyes glued to the scene unfolding. I kicked him one last time before storming off, needing a moment to settle my emotions in the bathroom.
I didn't care about the whispers I passed. I walked right past the gossipers, my heart galloping wildly.
The satisfaction of standing up for myself was short-lived, though. By the end of the day, I found myself sitting in the HR office, a pink slip in hand. I had been fired.
---
"Welcome to the club," Jess said later that night as we settled into our favorite corner of the couch, surrounded by a fortress of cushions. She always knew how to lighten the mood, her laughter infectious.
I took a deep breath, letting the frustration simmer for a moment. "Guess I'm not getting that Employee of the Month award," I chuckled, trying to mask the disappointment.
"Honestly, screw them. They don't deserve your talent!" Jess waved her hand dismissively, as if to shoo away my worries. "Let's have a 'finding you a new job' party this week!"
I rolled my eyes,the tension easing away just a bit. "Okay, but only if we can include pizza."
"Deal!" Jess grinned, her enthusiasm bubbling over just like the melted cheese we both adored.
---
That week became a blur of online job applications and caffeine-fueled late nights. I lost track of the time, battling exhaustion but refusing to give in. One night, mid-search, I felt my eyelids growing heavy as I stared at my laptop screen, the soft glow casting shadows across the room. My brain was foggy, and I could almost hear the hum of the keyboard echoing in my mind. Just one more application, I promised myself. I yawned widely and rubbed my eyes in a futile attempt to dissipate the fatigue.
As I scrolled through the endless postings, one particularly catchy title caught my eye: Manager's Assistant at Eldridge Enterprises. My fingers, still nimble despite the sleepy haze, clicked on it. The company boasted a gleaming reputation, promising great pay and benefits. But more importantly, it was in a tower I had admired for years, a sleek glass structure that sparkled under the sun.
"Must be nice," I murmured to myself, unaware of the surge of chance that awaited me. I filled out the application, not giving it much thought, and hit 'submit' just before surrendering to the seduction of sleep.
That morning, the alarm clock blasted its shrill sound, and I sat bolt upright in bed, panic coursing through me as I remembered the night before. Groggily, I reached for my phone, scrolling through my messages only to discover an email notification from Eldridge Enterprises flashing on the screen. I blinked, barely able to comprehend what I was reading.
Dear Ms. Wellington,
We are pleased to inform you that your application has been shortlisted for an interview. Please arrive at our office on Wednesday at 10 AM.
I screamed—a sound echoing through the apartment. Jess rushed into my room, sleep still matted in her hair. "What's wrong?" she asked, half-concerned, half-amused.
"I got an interview!" I exclaimed, jumping out of bed. "At Eldridge Enterprises! And it's on Wednesday!"
"That's incredible!" she shouted, her excitement palpable. "You have to prepare! Show them the fierce Sam we know!"
"Alright! Here we go!" I spent the whole day researching the company. Apparently, the CEO, Victor Eldridge, was a mysterious figure. At the age of 25, he had built Eldridge Enterprises more than a decade ago, and it had expanded globally, like a spider's web. No one knew anything about his background. He was 36 now, and whispers circulated that some days, he appeared as a bald, old man, while others claimed he was stunningly handsome beyond words.
Anyways, now I was standing in front of the building, nerves breaking my back and sweat trickling down my spine. "Here we go. I can do this," I muttered to myself, steeling my resolve.
---
With determination wrapped around my heart, I stepped into the gleaming lobby of Eldridge Enterprises, trepidation mixed with the thrill of possibility. The vast, shiny floors reflected the sleek architecture all around me, and I felt small yet invigorated.
What awaited me inside? Only time would tell, but one thing was certain: I was ready to take on whatever adventure lay ahead.