The soft morning light streamed through the wide windows of Lorraine Martino's apartment, casting a delicate golden glow over the polished wood floors. It was a serene, almost tranquil scene, yet the calmness it offered felt at odds with the heaviness that weighed on her chest. Lorraine sat at her desk, fingers drumming a nervous rhythm against the wooden surface, barely aware of the soft tapping sound they made. Her eyes were fixed on the computer screen in front of her, but her mind was elsewhere, far removed from the emails she had intended to send.
Today was her first day at a new job, and despite having meticulously planned everything the night before, a sense of unease lingered. She had laid out a crisp white blouse, tailored navy slacks, and her favorite pair of black leather heels, each piece carefully chosen as if it were armor for the day ahead. Yet, as she sat there in the quiet of her apartment, a feeling of uncertainty gnawed at her.
Her gaze drifted to the framed photograph on her desk—a snapshot from her childhood. In the picture, a younger Lorraine, perhaps six or seven, stood between her parents. David Martino and Krystal Soo had always been an odd match, even to her younger self. David, with his calm, steady presence, seemed worlds apart from Krystal's larger-than-life energy.
In the photo, her father stood with a quiet smile, his arm protectively draped around her shoulders. David had been a man of simplicity, content with the ordinary pleasures of life. She could still see him, sitting in their small living room, a well-worn book in hand, his face partially hidden behind the pages as he lost himself in the world of words. His steady, unassuming presence had been a constant in Lorraine's life, a grounding force amidst the chaos.
Her mother, Krystal, had been the opposite—a whirlwind of ambition and vivacity, always reaching for more. Lorraine sighed, leaning back in her chair as memories of Krystal flooded her mind. Krystal Soo had been a star from the moment she stepped onto the Hollywood scene, and the world had fallen in love with her. Cameras followed her everywhere, capturing her every move, every smile, every scandal.
As a child, Lorraine had thought it was thrilling to have a famous mother. She'd watch as Krystal swept into rooms, turning heads and commanding attention. But as the years passed, the excitement faded, replaced by a growing resentment. Lorraine could still picture the paparazzi camped outside their house, waiting for a glimpse of Krystal, speculating on her latest movie or the rumors about her love life. Fame had consumed her mother, and with it, their family.
The distance between them had grown with each tabloid headline, each red carpet appearance. Birthdays were missed, promises broken, and eventually, Krystal's focus was no longer on them but on maintaining her image. Lorraine had given up competing for her mother's attention. Why bother? Krystal's world of flashing lights and glamorous events seemed far too distant from the small, quiet life she shared with her father.
Her father had been the one who stayed. He was always there—at school plays, parent-teacher meetings, even mundane moments like helping with homework. David, for all his quietness, never missed an important event in her life. His pride in her had been a comforting balm, a counterbalance to her mother's chaotic world.
The tension between her parents had been palpable long before they separated. Lorraine had felt it, even at a young age. Their arguments were never loud or explosive, but they were there—subtle shifts in tone, long silences at the dinner table. Krystal's star kept rising, pulling her further away from them. And David, for all his patience, couldn't compete with the allure of fame. Eventually, their family fractured, and Lorraine was left to navigate the pieces.
Lorraine's mind flashed back to the day her mother moved out, taking only what she needed for her glamorous new life in Hollywood. She could still see herself standing in the doorway, clutching a small suitcase, watching as her mother's sleek car disappeared down the road. Krystal had promised visits, fun weekends together in her mansion, but those promises were as fleeting as the cars that passed by their quiet home. The weekends were few, and when they did happen, the mansion felt cold, its chandeliers and marble floors more like a set than a home.
Lorraine shook her head, as if trying to dislodge the past from her present thoughts. Today is a fresh start, she reminded herself. But no matter how many new beginnings she had, the weight of being Krystal Soo's daughter always seemed to follow.
Glancing at the clock, she realized it was time to leave. She stood, smoothing down her blouse, as if the act itself could iron out her nerves. Slinging her bag over her shoulder, she paused at the door for a moment, taking one last deep breath before stepping out into the world.
At the same time, Gabriel Han walked into the towering office building for the first time. The sleek, modern design of the lobby hit him immediately—the polished marble floors, the glass walls that reflected the sharp lines of the space, the faint hum of muted conversations. It was a far cry from the casual environments he was used to. Gabriel felt a flicker of discomfort as he adjusted his suit jacket, trying to appear more confident than he felt. The tension in his shoulders betrayed the calm demeanor he was attempting to project.
Approaching the reception desk, Gabriel's fingers twitched nervously at his sides. The receptionist glanced up, her expression professional yet warm.
"Gabriel Han," he said, his voice steady but tight, as he offered a quick smile.
The receptionist nodded, typing briskly. "You're with Ms. Martino's orientation group. Head down the hall, second door on your right."
Lorraine Martino. The name sounded familiar, but he couldn't place why. He brushed it off quickly, focusing instead on the task at hand. Just get through the day without any mishaps, he told himself.
Walking toward the meeting room, Gabriel adjusted his tie for what felt like the hundredth time. He could feel the eyes of passing employees on him, their quick glances sizing him up, though whether they saw his nerves or just another new hire, he couldn't tell. This corporate world was foreign to him—the tailored suits, the air of efficiency and professionalism. It wasn't his natural habitat, and he could feel the weight of it pressing down on him with every step.
When he reached the door, he hesitated for a second, his fingers lingering on the handle. Relax, he muttered to himself, trying to calm the fluttering in his chest. Pushing the door open, he stepped inside.
The room was bright, sleek, and modern, just like the rest of the building. A few people were already seated at the long table in the center, chatting quietly. Gabriel scanned the room, trying to take in the faces, the atmosphere. His eyes landed on Lorraine, seated near the middle of the table. She was composed, her posture straight, her dark hair falling neatly around her face. There was something about her presence that immediately set her apart—polished, professional, and completely at ease. She belongs here, Gabriel thought, feeling his own awkwardness more acutely in contrast.
Taking a seat a few chairs down from her, Gabriel straightened his tie once more, his nerves still simmering just below the surface. It's just another day, he told himself, though he knew it was more than that. This was a new beginning, not just for him, but for Lorraine as well. And though their paths hadn't yet crossed, there was an unspoken tension in the air, as if the pasts they carried were destined to collide in this sleek, modern office.
----
...how long she would have to keep up this façade, this poised exterior that never let anyone see the full extent of her struggles, her insecurities. How long before someone would see through the cool composure and recognize the cracks in her carefully constructed persona?
As Lorraine approached the door to the meeting room, she took a deep breath, as if to steel herself against the weight of the expectations that awaited her on the other side. The handle felt cool beneath her fingers as she turned it and stepped into the room.
The meeting room was already half-filled with new hires, all seated around a long, sleek table. Some were engaged in hushed conversations, while others sat in silence, fiddling with their phones or scanning the room nervously. Lorraine's eyes swept over them, quickly noting the range of emotions on their faces: excitement, anxiety, anticipation. Her own face, as always, remained an unreadable mask of calm.
She spotted an empty seat near the middle of the table and moved toward it, her heels clicking softly against the polished floor. As she sat down, she placed her leather bag on the table in front of her and adjusted her blazer, maintaining an air of professionalism that was second nature to her by now. She was used to this—being the one everyone silently observed, the one they whispered about when they thought she wasn't listening.
Her thoughts were interrupted by a movement to her left. A man, also new by the looks of it, sat down a few chairs away from her. He had dark hair, neatly combed, though a few strands were already beginning to fall out of place. His face carried the unmistakable tension of someone trying to seem at ease but betraying his nerves through small gestures—fidgeting with his tie, adjusting his sleeves, tapping his fingers lightly against the table.
Lorraine noticed the way he tugged at his collar, the way his shoulders seemed a little too stiff, as if he was unused to the suit he wore. She recognized that kind of discomfort—she'd seen it before, in others, and sometimes, in herself. But he wasn't familiar to her. Unlike the others, he hadn't glanced at her with the same curiosity, the same recognition that often came from hearing her name. For a moment, Lorraine wondered if he knew who she was—or, more importantly, if he even cared.
The man caught her looking and offered a polite, albeit slightly awkward smile, quickly smoothing his tie again. Lorraine gave a small, almost imperceptible nod in return before turning her attention back to the empty notepad in front of her. She could feel his presence beside her, though he wasn't exactly staring. He seemed as out of place here as she sometimes felt, and in a strange way, that comforted her.
"First day nerves?" a voice interrupted her thoughts, and Lorraine turned slightly to see the man looking at her again, his smile a little more relaxed this time. His question was casual, but there was an underlying attempt to break the silence, perhaps ease the tension in the air.
Lorraine paused for a second before answering, her expression softening just a little. "Not really," she said, her tone neutral but polite. "I've been through enough first days to know what to expect."
The man nodded, though his brow furrowed slightly as he adjusted his posture. "Lucky you. This place feels… different," he said, his voice trailing off as if he wasn't sure how to put his feelings into words.
"It does," Lorraine agreed after a moment, glancing around the room. "But that's how it always feels at the start."
"I'm Gabriel, by the way," he said, extending his hand across the table toward her. His smile was warmer now, more genuine, as if he was trying to shake off the last remnants of his nerves.
"Lorraine," she replied, shaking his hand briefly before letting her gaze drift back toward the front of the room. She could feel the question coming—the one about her mother, about her last name—but to her surprise, Gabriel didn't ask. Instead, he simply leaned back in his chair, his focus shifting away from her as the sound of footsteps echoed through the hallway.
The door to the meeting room swung open, and the hiring manager, a tall woman in a sharp suit, entered with a commanding presence. "Good morning, everyone," she began, her voice crisp and efficient. "Welcome to your first day at Sinclair Consulting. I trust you're all ready for a fresh start."
The room quieted instantly, and Lorraine felt the familiar rush of adrenaline that came with new beginnings. She straightened her posture, her pen poised to take notes, though her mind wandered briefly to the man beside her—Gabriel, who, for the first time in a long while, had greeted her without the weight of her past hanging between them.
Maybe, just maybe, this new beginning wouldn't be like all the others.
---
After the orientation session ended, Lorraine found herself walking down the hallway toward the elevator. Her mind was filled with a mix of details from the meeting—logistics, expectations, the company's culture—but beneath all of that, there was a lingering sense of unease that she couldn't quite shake. It wasn't about the job itself. The work seemed straightforward, and she had handled far more complex challenges in her career. No, the unease came from something deeper, something that had been stirring within her ever since she walked through those office doors this morning.
She pressed the elevator button and waited, her eyes wandering to the sleek, mirrored walls that reflected her image back at her. The woman staring back seemed composed, professional, ready for whatever the day might throw at her. But beneath the polished exterior, Lorraine knew she was carrying a weight—a weight she hadn't been able to let go of, no matter how hard she tried.
As the elevator doors opened with a soft chime, Gabriel stepped in beside her. He offered a small smile, his earlier awkwardness replaced by a more relaxed demeanor.
"How do you think it went?" he asked, his tone casual as he glanced over at her.
"It was fine," Lorraine replied, keeping her answer short but polite. She wasn't in the mood for small talk, though she couldn't quite pinpoint why.
Gabriel seemed to sense her hesitation but pressed on anyway. "I get the feeling you've done this kind of thing before," he said, a hint of curiosity in his voice. "You seemed pretty calm back there."
"I have," she said, her eyes fixed on the elevator's control panel as the numbers ticked down. "I've been in this industry for a while."
Gabriel nodded, as if that explained everything, but Lorraine could tell he wanted to know more. She could feel his gaze on her, waiting for her to open up, to offer more than just polite responses. But she wasn't ready for that. Not yet.
The elevator doors opened, and they stepped out into the lobby. Lorraine glanced at her watch, realizing she had some time before her next meeting. She turned to Gabriel, who was still beside her, looking as though he was trying to find the right words.
"Well, I guess we'll be seeing more of each other," he said, his voice light, though there was a hint of something more in his tone—perhaps a desire to bridge the gap between them, to connect beyond the superficial level of coworkers.
"Yes," Lorraine replied, her voice distant. She flashed a polite smile before turning toward the entrance. "See you around."
As she walked out of the building, the cool breeze of the late morning air brushed against her face, momentarily clearing her mind. She took a deep breath, letting the crispness of the air fill her lungs as she made her way toward the nearby café she had spotted earlier.
Maybe a moment to herself would help clear her thoughts. Maybe some distance from the office, from Gabriel, from the pressure of living up to everyone's expectations, would give her the clarity she needed.
----
Lorraine found herself sitting at a corner table in the café, the soft hum of conversation and the faint clatter of dishes serving as a gentle backdrop to her thoughts. She stirred her coffee absentmindedly, watching the liquid swirl as her mind wandered to the day's events.
Meeting Gabriel had stirred something in her, a curiosity she hadn't felt in a long time. It wasn't that he had done anything extraordinary—it was more the absence of things. He hadn't pried, hadn't looked at her as though she was Lorraine Martino, daughter of a powerful family, with all the baggage that came with it. He had simply treated her like any other colleague.
It was strange, that feeling. Lorraine couldn't remember the last time someone had met her without the context of her family looming over her. Usually, people either wanted something from her or tiptoed around her, afraid of getting on the wrong side of the Martino name. She had grown used to the guarded expressions, the veiled questions, the unspoken expectations. But Gabriel had been different, and that unsettled her more than she wanted to admit.
Her phone buzzed on the table, pulling her out of her thoughts. She glanced at the screen—it was a message from her father, David Martino.
**"How's your first day going? Make sure you're making the right connections."**
Lorraine sighed, locking her phone without replying. Her father's words were always like that—full of subtle reminders about her responsibilities, her place in the world. He never missed an opportunity to remind her that every move she made had to be calculated, every interaction carefully weighed. The Martino legacy was something she could never escape.
As she sat there, the weight of her father's expectations pressed down on her. It wasn't just him—it was her mother, Krystal, too. They both had high hopes for her, dreams of her taking on more prominent roles, of proving herself worthy of the family name. And though Lorraine had succeeded in many ways, it never felt like enough.
She had chosen this job at Sinclair Consulting to step out of the Martino shadow, to carve out a path for herself. But even here, she couldn't escape the whispers, the eyes that followed her, the constant pressure to be more than just an employee.
Her thoughts returned to Gabriel, wondering what his story was. Why did he seem different? She couldn't help but feel that there was something about him, something that wasn't immediately apparent. Maybe it was the way he seemed at ease despite being nervous, or perhaps it was the fact that he hadn't treated her like everyone else. Whatever it was, she knew she would cross paths with him again, and maybe she'd learn more.
She took a sip of her coffee, savoring the warmth as it spread through her. For now, this moment of peace was enough. She allowed herself a brief respite, knowing that soon enough, she'd be back in the whirlwind of office politics and familial expectations.
---
Later that afternoon, Lorraine found herself once again at her desk in the open-concept office of Sinclair Consulting. The hustle of the workplace was in full swing, with the sound of keyboards clacking, phones ringing, and conversations happening in pockets around the room. Lorraine had just finished a client proposal and was reviewing her notes when she saw Gabriel passing by her desk.
He paused for a moment when he saw her, offering another friendly smile, this time more casual as if they'd already become acquainted in some unspoken way. "Heading to the cafeteria," he said, pointing with his thumb behind him. "You want anything?"
It was a simple question, but it caught Lorraine off guard. She blinked, momentarily surprised by his casualness, then shook her head. "No, I'm fine, thanks."
Gabriel nodded and started to walk away, but then he turned back, seeming to hesitate before speaking again. "Hey, I don't mean to be forward, but I feel like there's something you're holding back." His voice was quiet, and he glanced around to make sure no one else was listening. "If you ever need to talk, you know… about anything, I'm around. New places can be overwhelming, even for people who've been around."
Lorraine stared at him for a moment, unsure of how to respond. He was offering an olive branch, not of friendship, but perhaps of understanding, though she hadn't given him any reason to. And that was what made her pause—how could he see through the wall she had so carefully built around herself?
"I'll keep that in mind," she finally said, her voice steady but neutral.
Gabriel nodded again, this time more to himself, before walking away, leaving Lorraine to wonder what exactly he had seen in her that made him offer such a thing. She pushed the thought aside, though, focusing back on her work. She couldn't afford distractions, not now, not when she was determined to make her mark.
---
As the day came to an end, Lorraine gathered her things, her mind buzzing with everything that had happened. She had a feeling that this was just the beginning, that whatever path she was on now, it was leading her somewhere unexpected. The thought both excited and unnerved her.
Stepping out into the fading light of the evening, she glanced up at the sky, the colors of the sunset casting a golden glow over the city. The breeze ruffled her hair, and for a brief moment, Lorraine felt a strange sense of peace, as though the world had paused just for her.
Tomorrow would bring new challenges, new faces, and perhaps more of Gabriel's cryptic kindness. But for now, she allowed herself to simply be—just Lorraine, not a Martino, not anyone's expectation.
And that, for the first time in a long while, felt like enough.