Emily Chen stood before the mirror, carefully inspecting her white button-up shirt and black slacks. This was the outfit she had meticulously chosen for her first day as an intern. Her roommate, Zoe, sat up in bed, yawning. "Em, you really don't need to get up this early. It's just the interview, relax a little."
Emily turned to Zoe with a gentle smile. "I know, but I want to make a good impression." She tucked a strand of her long, dark hair behind her ear – her only 'accessory'.
Zoe rolled her eyes. "You're always so serious. You missed out on a lot of fun at last night's party, you know."
"I'm sure I did," Emily responded politely, though she felt no regret. She had preferred to spend her time researching the background of the company she was interning for – Radiant Financial Group. Though it was a financial firm, she was intrigued by their recent efforts in sustainable investing.
Emily picked up her reusable water bottle and lunch box, small details she insisted on in her daily life. "Wish me luck," she said to Zoe.
Stepping out of the dorm, the morning sun gently caressed Emily's face. Around campus, small groups of students were already visible, some clearly nursing hangovers. Emily took a deep breath, savoring the possibilities of a new day.
While waiting at the bus stop, Emily reflected on why she chose this internship. While many of her classmates opted for jobs directly related to environmental protection, Emily believed that changing the mindset of large corporations could potentially have a greater impact. She hoped to bring her knowledge of environmental resources into the world of finance, promoting more green investments.
As the bus arrived, Emily tightened the straps of her backpack. She knew she was different from most of her peers – not fond of socializing, uninterested in shopping, and indifferent to party culture. But she wasn't ashamed of this. Instead, she took pride in her ideals and convictions.
"Maybe this internship will be a turning point," Emily thought as she boarded the bus heading towards Radiant Financial Tower. Little did she know that fate indeed had a major twist in store for her, and that twist was named Chris.
Outside the window, the city was gradually waking up, and Emily's new life was about to begin. A smile of anticipation played on her lips as she prepared to face the challenges ahead.
Through the city streets, the bus carried Emily towards her future. Her mind was filled with thoughts of sustainable practices and how she could make a difference in a corporate setting. As the towering skyscrapers came into view, Emily's excitement grew. She was ready to step into a world vastly different from her comfortable university environment, armed with her knowledge, determination, and unwavering principles.
The bus came to a stop in front of an imposing glass and steel structure – Radiant Financial Tower. Emily took a deep breath, straightened her shirt one last time, and stepped off the bus. As she walked towards the revolving doors, she couldn't help but feel a mix of nervousness and exhilaration. Little did she know that behind these doors, an unexpected encounter would change the course of her carefully planned life.
Emily took a deep breath and pushed through the revolving doors of Radiant Financial Tower. The lobby bustled with activity, filled with men and women in sharp suits moving briskly. She felt slightly out of place but quickly adjusted her mindset, straightening her posture.
After receiving her temporary card, Emily headed towards the elevators. Just as the doors were about to close, a deep voice called out, "Hold it!"
A hand shot out to stop the doors. Emily instinctively stepped back as a tall figure slipped inside.
"Thanks," the man said, looking up. Their eyes met.
Emily froze. Standing before her was a breathtakingly handsome man. He wore an impeccably tailored navy suit, and his piercing blue eyes seemed to see right through her.
Before Emily could regain her composure, the elevator suddenly jolted. She lost her balance, her briefcase slipping from her hand, scattering documents across the floor. Worse still, her coffee spilled onto the man's polished shoes.
"I'm so sorry! I really am!" Emily exclaimed, crouching down to gather her papers.
The man looked down at his coffee-stained shoes, his face expressionless. He didn't say a word, just stared coldly at Emily.
Emily looked up, meeting his stern gaze. She felt a mix of embarrassment and frustration but forced herself to remain polite. "I'm very sorry, sir. I'll compensate you for this."
The man remained silent, merely raising an eyebrow slightly. This silence was more unsettling to Emily than any words could have been. It reminded her of her childhood, when her father was always strict with her, whether it was about studies or life in general. This memory made her feel nervous, afraid of making any mistake.
Just then, the elevator chimed, stopping at the 42nd floor.
"This is my floor," Emily said, quickly standing up. "Again, I apologize for the coffee. If you need compensation, you can contact HR." With that, she practically fled from the elevator.
Standing in the hallway, Emily took several deep breaths, trying to calm herself. "What a perfect start," she thought sarcastically.
Little did she know that this chance encounter would completely change the course of her life.
Emily composed herself and walked towards the HR department with her head held high. No matter what, she was determined not to let this incident affect her interview. Unbeknownst to her, the wheels of fate had already begun to turn.