It was finally the day the new boss was set to arrive. The air in the office was thick with tension, the quiet murmur of conversations filled with anticipation and cautious excitement. Everyone was on their best behavior, trying to make a good impression before they even laid eyes on the man. The whispers about nepotism had died down somewhat, but a lingering unease still remained.
When the door finally opened and the new boss walked in, Alex was almost surprised by how... normal he looked. He had expected someone much more intimidating, given all the hype and rumors.
The man was tall, with neatly combed brown hair just starting to show hints of gray at the temples. He wore a navy blue suit that looked expensive but understated, and his face held a mild expression that didn't seem to carry any of the arrogance people had feared. He was clean-shaven, with bright blue eyes and a relaxed posture that instantly eased some of the tension in the room.
"Good morning, everyone," the new boss said with a friendly smile. His voice was calm, almost soothing, and carried none of the sharpness Alex had braced for. "I'm Dan Hartford. I know there's been a lot of talk about my arrival, but let's keep things simple. I'm here to help keep things running smoothly and work with you all. My door's always open if you need anything."
Alex exchanged a quick glance with Jane, who raised an eyebrow but said nothing. The new boss—Dan—wasn't quite what they had expected. His mild manner and calm approach felt more approachable than intimidating. There was no immediate sign of the cutthroat executive they had all feared, and he certainly didn't seem like someone who got the job just because of family connections.
Dan continued speaking, keeping his tone casual. He briefly mentioned his background, how he'd worked his way up through various roles before landing this position. He didn't mention anything about his connections to the director, though it was still on everyone's mind. By the time the introduction was over, the atmosphere had noticeably relaxed.
---
A few days passed, and the tension that had gripped the office before Dan's arrival began to dissipate. At lunch, Alex and a few of his coworkers sat together, enjoying their sandwiches in the break room.
"You know," Rick said, taking a bite of his sandwich, "I was really expecting him to be... I don't know, more of a jerk?"
"Right?!" Jane chimed in. "With all the rumors, I thought we'd be in for some real micromanaging nightmare."
Alex nodded, smiling slightly as he listened to the conversation. It was true—the atmosphere had changed for the better. People were starting to joke about how tense they'd all been before Dan arrived. In reality, he wasn't all that different from their previous boss. Maybe a little more approachable, but otherwise, the day-to-day hadn't changed much.
"I guess we worried for nothing," Alex said, leaning back in his chair. "He's not that bad."
"Nope," Rick agreed, "but I still say we keep our eyes open. Just in case."
They laughed, sharing the familiar banter that came naturally after working together for so long. The initial fear had been replaced by relief, and the mood in the office had lightened.
---
At home, things were as lively as ever. Alex's sister was still a whirlwind of energy, constantly moving around the house and filling the space with noise and life. He found it difficult to find quiet moments for his meditation, but he'd learned to adapt.
During breaks, he would still slip away to meditate at work. His colleagues still joked about his newfound habits, but they seemed to be getting used to it. He didn't mind the teasing. It was a small price to pay for the peace he found in those moments.
---
That evening, Alex met up with a couple of his college friends, including Mark and Jess, two of the few who were still living in the same city. They gathered at a small bar downtown, a cozy spot where they could catch up without too much noise or distraction.
They talked about life, work, and the usual random topics. Jess, always the politically inclined one, brought up the latest in modern politics.
"Did you hear about the new policy they're trying to pass?" Jess asked, her face a mix of concern and frustration. "It's all anyone's talking about online. I swear, the political climate just keeps getting worse."
Mark shrugged, taking a sip of his beer. "It's the same every election cycle, though. Big promises, little action. People just get worked up over everything."
Alex listened quietly, not too invested in the political chatter but enjoying the conversation nonetheless. He'd always been more of an observer when it came to these things, absorbing information without feeling the need to debate. The evening passed smoothly, with lighthearted jokes and occasional reminiscing about their college days.
As he walked home later that night, the city streets quiet and calm, Alex found himself reflecting on how his life had changed recently. More than a year now since the shard came to him. The new boss, the jokes at work, the casual hangouts with friends—it was all part of the steady rhythm of his life. But something lingered in the back of his mind, a faint itch that he couldn't quite shake.