Olivia
The night passed by quickly, leaving Olivia alone with her thoughts. Whenever her mind wandered, it seemed to lead back to Daniel. What was he doing now? Was he still devoted to his job, or had he fallen for someone new? She yearned for the days when their lives and dreams were intertwined, but those memories carried a bittersweet sting. She craved his touch, yet his lack of communication left her sad. The conflicting emotions churned inside, making it hard to find any peace.
While a lingering sadness still clung to her heart, a glimmer of excitement danced in her mind at the prospect of new opportunities. A new job, a new family – her life was taking unexpected turns, and she couldn't be sure where the path would lead.
As she lay in her bed, gazing up at the ceiling, Olivia pondered the uncertainties of the future. Despite the pain of her recent divorce, she realized that life now offered her a chance at something different, something unknown. It was a blend of apprehension and anticipation, and she couldn't help but wonder what surprises lay ahead on this uncharted journey.
Olivia woke up early the next morning, her mind already filled with thoughts of the work day. She looked through her closet with dejection, realizing that her previous job at a more casual law firm didn't require a vast collection of business attire. She selected a black pencil skirt that hugged her figure elegantly, pairing it with an emerald green top that complemented her complexion. To complete her outfit, she chose a modest pair of low heels.
As she examined herself in the mirror, she felt a bit nervous about the prospect of running into Ethan at work. However, she was determined to maintain professionalism and focus on her job. This opportunity was crucial for her, providing financial stability and a sense of purpose and direction. She knew she had to make the most of it and put her best foot forward. Shopping for more suitable work attire was definitely on her to-do list for the weekend.
Arriving at Jameson Enterprises, Olivia was in awe of the opportunity ahead. The company was a prominent distributor of medical supplies in the city, serving many hospitals with a wide range of equipment and essential medical products. Olivia was excited about her administrative role and the chance to learn more about the business and potentially contribute in other areas.
She rode the elevator to the top floor, where her new office awaited. Stepping inside, she felt immense joy as she looked around at the space she could now call her own. With determination in her eyes, she quickly checked the calendar and noticed that there was a meeting scheduled in just an hour. Understanding the importance of her role, she hurried to ensure that coffee was brewed and the meeting room was meticulously prepared, ready to make a positive impression on her first official day at work. As Olivia was rushing around the corner with a pitcher of water, she inadvertently collided with someone, causing water to spill down the front of her blouse.
"Hey!" the person exclaimed, clearly annoyed. "Watch where you're going!"
Startled, Olivia looked up and immediately began to apologize profusely. However, as she met the person's eyes, the color drained from her face as she recognized her as the blonde woman from yesterday. Barbara, whose efforts to get close to EJ had been thwarted by Olivia's unexpected arrival, was furious. She had worked diligently to establish herself on the top floor and get closer to EJ, and now, this newcomer had disrupted her plans. Her frustration boiled over as she berated Olivia harshly.
"Seriously? You again?" Barbara scoffed, her tone dripping with anger. "First, you ruined my time with EJ, and now you're ruining my morning. Do you have any idea how important EJ is to me?"
Not wanting to escalate the situation on her first day, Olivia offered another apology to Barbara, hoping to diffuse the tension. Barbara, however, looked at her with disdain and continued down the hall, clearly upset.
Not wanting to delay the impending meeting, Olivia quickly refilled the water pitcher and ensured everything was ready. With a deep breath, she turned her attention to herself. She desperately needed to clean up before the meeting. Her worst nightmare unfolded before her as she headed around the corner toward the ladies' room. Ethan turned the corner just as Olivia was walking by. His breath caught in his throat as he saw her wet blouse, which clung to her figure, leaving very little to the imagination. He couldn't help but think, "Damn it..."
Ethan's immediate reaction was a tightness in his jeans, and he inwardly cursed at the situation. He knew this was going to be difficult.
Suppressing his initial irritation, he commented, "Well, is this how you intend to make a good first impression?"
Olivia, despite her frustration, maintained her professionalism.
"I'm sorry, Mr. Jameson. There was an unfortunate accident, and I'm on my way to clean up now."
Ethan, trying to ease the tension but still exuding an air of arrogance, responded, "You can call me Ethan or EJ."
"Okay, Ethan. Again, I apologize for the inconvenience," Olivia replied, keeping her tone neutral but eager to move away from the encounter as quickly as possible.
Ethan added, "Olivia, I know we have a unique situation here, but I want to ensure we keep things professional. I will have the same expectations of you as any other employee."
Olivia nodded again in response to his explicit reminder of professionalism. She understood that despite their complicated family dynamics, the workplace required a certain level of decorum, and she intended to uphold it.
"I understand," Olivia replied, "I'm willing to give this 100 percent effort."
Ethan nodded, acknowledging her response. "That's the way to approach it, Olivia," he said, his tone somewhat softer than before. "I'll see you at the meeting."
Olivia smiled politely and responded, "Thank you, Ethan. I'll make sure to be there."
She turned on her heel and began to walk away. Ethan admired how her hips swayed with each step. He noticed a curl of her brown hair escaping from her bun, and he was suddenly filled with an unfamiliar ache.
Olivia hurried towards the ladies' room. She felt frustration and vulnerability in this new work environment, mainly when dealing with Ethan. Their brief encounter left her wondering how she would navigate working alongside someone who seemed to exude arrogance and make her feel so uncomfortable.