Cynthia arrived at VOS Art & Media on Tuesday morning with all the confidence she could muster—about thirty percent courage, fifty percent caffeine, and twenty percent pure stubbornness. The city outside seemed unusually loud, or maybe it was just her nerves. Today, she had a feeling that things were going to be… interesting.
The first hint came as she stepped into the lobby. A small crowd had gathered near the elevator, and in the middle of it all stood a young man she hadn't seen before. He looked nervous, clutching a folder like it contained the secrets of the universe. His hair was messy,and his suit seemed just a little too big, as if it had been borrowed from someone more confident.
"New hire?" Cynthia muttered to herself, sipping her coffee. She wasn't exactly supposed to be nosy, but curiosity had never been her weak point.
A receptionist appeared and introduced him to the office. "Everyone, meet Ethan Cole, our newest marketing assistant. He starts today."
Cynthia barely hid a smile. Perfect. Another person to share the chaos. She remembered her own first day—tripping over her own bag in the lobby, spilling coffee on her shirt, and giving Alexander Kane a free show of panic and embarrassment. Poor Ethan, she thought, was about to experience the same thrill.
By the time Cynthia reached her desk, Ethan had been escorted to the marketing department by their team lead, Mrs. Hampton—a woman whose smile could both comfort and terrify in the same instant. Cynthia decided that it was her unofficial duty to observe. After all, watching new employees stumble in a professional environment was practically a sport.
Throughout the morning, Cynthia noticed Ethan struggling with tasks that were routine for the rest of the office: sending emails in the correct format, navigating the company's intranet, and understanding the difference between "urgent" and "very urgent" (a subtle distinction, apparently, at VOS). She resisted the urge to laugh outright, muttering instead, "Bless him. He's going to survive, probably… maybe."
At around 10:30 AM, Alexander appeared in the marketing department for a brief check-in. Cynthia braced herself.
"Good morning," Alexander said briskly, clipboard in hand. His eyes scanned the room before landing on Ethan. "Cole. I expect you to familiarize yourself with the company workflow today. No excuses, no delays."
"Yes, sir," Ethan replied, voice shaky but polite. Cynthia noted silently that he was trying very hard to appear professional, which was commendable. Very commendable.
Alexander moved on to inspect the rest of the department, leaving Cynthia and Ethan alone at their desks. She pretended to focus on her work, but curiosity got the better of her. "So… first day?" she asked, trying to sound casual.
Yes," Ethan said, glancing at her nervously. "It's… a lot to take in."
Cynthia nodded knowingly. "You'll get used to it. Just remember: printers are like small temperamental animals, and the coffee machine is both your best friend and your worst enemy."
Ethan blinked. "Really?"
"Absolutely," Cynthia said, trying not to grin. "Also, never, ever press reply-all unless you're 100% sure. Or you'll be sorry."
He chuckled lightly, and Cynthia felt a small sense of satisfaction. She was officially the office guide. Or, in less flattering terms, the veteran chaos-survivor.
The rest of the morning passed in a blur of small challenges: Ethan accidentally deleted a draft, Cynthia saved him with a quiet "Ctrl+Z, life saver," and the two navigated the confusing maze of internal documents. Through it all, Cynthia maintained her usual balance of patience and sarcasm.
By lunchtime, Ethan had survived without setting anything on fire—figuratively or literally. Cynthia leaned back in her chair and munched on a granola bar, feeling like a mentor without the official badge.
"Lunch break?" she asked, glancing at him.
Ethan nodded. "I was planning to eat at my desk, but… sure. Why not?"
They headed toward the small balcony cafeteria, which overlooked the city streets. Cynthia grabbed her usual salad and iced tea while Ethan picked up a sandwich.
"So," Cynthia said, leaning against the railing, "how are you finding the office so far?"
"It's… intense," Ethan admitted. "But everyone seems nice. And a little terrifying."
Cynthia laughed. "You're not wrong. Alexander Kane is… professional, to put it mildly. Friendly is not in his job description. Don't take it personally."
Returning from lunch, Cynthia realized the afternoon was going to be hectic. Alexander had scheduled a last-minute meeting with the team to review the week's progress. Ethan looked around nervously as everyone filed into the conference room. Cynthia offered a small, reassuring smile. "Stay close to me. You'll survive this."
The meeting was everything Cynthia expected: numbers, deadlines, and Alexander Kane's precise, unwavering attention to detail. No small talk, no distractions, just professional efficiency,ethan tried to keep up, scribbling notes furiously
Maybe he would last here.
By the time the meeting ended, Cynthia was exhausted—but satisfied. She had navigated a morning of mentoring a new recruit, an afternoon of precise deadlines, and a day that, in any other office, might have seemed impossible. As she packed up her bag, she realized something important: surviving VOS wasn't about being the fastest or the smartest. It was about adapting, keeping your humor, and learning when to hide panic behind a polite smile.
On her way out, she passed Alexander in the lobby again. He nodded curtly at her, a sign that she had met the expectations of the day. No smiles, no hidden meanings—just professional acknowledgment. Cynthia allowed herself a small, victorious grin. One more day survived, and she hadn't set anything on fire.