I sighed as I glanced at the message on my phone for what felt like the hundredth time. "You are not giving the blue card to stay off work," it read, mocking me with its bureaucratic rigidity. Despite the annoyance, I knew I had to push through. With a resigned sigh, I quickly got dressed and made my way to the office.
As I entered, my manager approached with a concerned expression, breaking my train of thought.
"Elena," he said tentatively, "the CEO wants to see you. I hope everything's alright."
I managed a reassuring smile, though my stomach churned with apprehension. "I'm sure it's nothing serious. I'll go see him now."
Together, we made our way to the CEO's office, each step feeling heavier than the last. My mind raced with all the potential reasons for this sudden summons. Had I made a mistake? Was there something urgent that needed my attention?
