Eva's voice bubbled with excitement as she shared the news with Kris over the phone. "I got the job Kris! And we're having a meeting with the CEO today!"
"Wow, things are really going as you planned, Eva!" Kris congratulated her.
Eva explained, "Rosa gave me some hints during the interview, but I still got nervous when I saw the email."
"Who's Rosa?" Kris asked, curious.
"Oh, she's the secretary," Eva replied. "And next, I'll find out what's expected of me after this meeting. I'm also determined to get to know him."
Kris urged caution, "Please be careful, Eva."
Just then, the announcement from the nearby speaker cut in, "All CCR staff, please report to the conference hall. The CEO will address you shortly."
"Duty calls, ey?" Kris asked with a chuckle.
"Yeah, I gotta go, love you!" Eva replied, hanging up. She exited the restroom, smoothing her collared shirt and suit, and brushing her hair before heading to the conference hall.
The conference hall buzzed with chatter as staff members mingled and found their seats. Eva scanned the room, searching for an empty chair. Suddenly, a staff member whispered, "He's coming! He's coming!" The room fell silent as everyone scrambled to their seats. Eva followed suit, unaware of the commotion.
CEO Mason Everton, a tall, blonde-haired man with piercing hazel eyes, strode in, flanked by Rosa. He commanded attention in his black suit, his presence imposing. "Hey everybody! For those new here, I'm Mason Everton."
A staff member couldn't contain their surprise, blurting out "Woah!" Mason's gaze narrowed. "Leave!" he ordered, his voice firm. The staff member apologized and quickly exited the hall, leaving behind a chorus of whispers.
Mason demanded silence, his voice stern. "When I'm speaking, I expect absolute decorum and no interruptions. CCR staffs, I've received complaints about some of you not taking customer orders seriously. I'm here to remind you that customers deserve absolute care. I can trace your calls and track your responses. Don't test me, or you'll face the consequences!"
The staff listened intently, their eyes fixed on Mason, their faces solemn.
Mason asked, "What do you do when a client curses?" The room fell silent, fear holding everyone back. Eva bravely raised her hand, and Marcus nodded in her direction. "Yes, you?"
As the staff turned to look at her, Eva confidently replied, "You remain calm and let the client finish speaking."
Mason nodded in approval. "That's correct..." He paused, trying to recall her name.
"Eva," she promptly filled in. "My name is Eva."
Mason smiled. "That's correct, Eva. You may sit down."
Mason dismissed the staff, emphasizing, "Review the handout on client handling. I won't repeat myself again!" He strode away, leaving Rosa to direct, "You may all return to work now."
As Eva headed to her office, Alex approached her with a warm smile. "Congratulations on the job, Eva!"
Eva hugged Alex, asking, "Is Mason always so... intense?"
Alex leaned in, whispering, "Many fear him, and rumors circulate. Some claim he's a wolf, others believe he's romantically involved with Rosa."
Eva's eyes widened. "A wolf? That's absurd! And Rosa? I can't see it."
Alex shrugged. "I don't think Mason is capable of love, but who knows?"
Eva remembered she had a lot of work to do, she bid Alex farewell and walked to her office, she walked to her section of the office and focused on her work with her partner, Jane, a reserved brunette. Eva made ten calls that day, her mind wandering about ways to capture Mason's attention and affection. She decided to play it naturally, yet swiftly.
After a long day of work, Eva headed home, excited about her date with Hansen, her recent Tinder match. They had hit it off, sharing countless laughs and conversations over the past few nights. She got ready, feeling anticipation build up. The restaurant was cozy, with soft lighting and a warm atmosphere, filled with couples and friends enjoying their evenings. Hansen had thoughtfully booked a reservation in advance, and they were shown to their table. As they sat down, Eva felt a sense of ease with Hansen.
Hansen complimented, "You look even more stunning than your profile picture." Eva smiled, "Thank you, you're not so bad yourself."
As they sat down, Hansen asked, "How was your day?"
"It was good?" She replied.
Eva shared stories about her job, mentioning her partner Jane's reserved nature. Hansen listened intently, but his gaze kept drifting to her lips and body, his mind wandering to more intimate encounters.
Eva noticed his distraction, waving her hand to snap him back to attention. "Hello? Hansen?" she teased, breaking the spell. Hansen replied, slightly flustered, "Yeah... sorry, got lost in thought."
Eva felt a bit let down. "I thought you were actually listening to me," she said.
Hansen quickly changed the subject. "Let's ditch the small talk, Eva. Want to head to my place? It's way more comfy."
Eva hesitated, but Hansen's charm won her over. At his place, they chilled on the couch, watching Netflix for an hour. As the movie ended, Hansen made his move, leaning in for a kiss.
"I really like you Eva", Hansen confessed.
"Oh really" she asked suspiciously.
Eva's gut told her he was only looking for a hookup, but she went along with it anyway.
The next morning, Eva woke up to the warm rays of the sun, realizing she was running late. "Oh no, I'm going to be late!" she exclaimed, jumping out of Hansen's bed. Her eyes landed on a photo frame by his bedside, and her heart sank. He had a girlfriend. She quickly dressed without waking him and made a hasty exit.
Rushing to get ready for work, Eva hailed a taxi and headed to the office. Her mind replayed the previous night's events, "He's got a girlfriend! What was I thinking?"
As she arrived at the office, she noticed Solan's disapproving stare. Her heart raced, expecting the worst. Rosa called out to her, and Eva braced herself for a reprimand, possibly even termination. With a deep breath, she entered Rosa's office, ready to face the consequences of her tardiness.