Dedicating this chapter to LineyForever3 and Emanda09. Thank you for answering my question, lovelies! ♥

❇ Rachel's POV ❇

As soon as my alarm clock rang, I bolted to the bathroom. Usually, I would complain about the alarm clock interrupting with my beauty sleep. But, as what people say, first impressions last.

Being late on the first day definitely would not make a good first impression for my boss. I hummed along with the radio as I made myself a simple breakfast.

When I thought my day was getting better, my skirt just has to torture me. As I was putting on my skirt, the zip got stuck halfway. I panicked and tried to unzip it. But the zip did not seem to be moving at all.

Do you know what it was worse? The zip was at the back of the skirt. My arms began to ache after trying to unzip my skirt from the back.

The skirt I wore was a tight formal skirt. It was a challenge to turn my skirt around. I started to take in a deep breath and jumped on the spot.

I was praying hard that the skirt would free me from this awkward situation. My eyes kept on moving to the clock on the wall. My heart sank further in with every second ticking away.

"Oh c'mon c'mon." I murmured to myself.

I did consider going to my neighbours for help. But quickly swept away the idea, since my neighbours were not that friendly to start with.

I was beginning to feel the tiredness from all the jumping. Frustration was taking control of my emotions and I used all my strength to turn my skirt around.

Finally, the skirt turned and the zip was at a position I was able to examine the problem easily.

After a good ten minutes, I could unzip the damn skirt. I quickly changed the formal skirt into dress pants.

I only had three minutes to get all my things and lock up after checking the apartment. There was not much time for me to double-check my handbag.

I dashed for the lift as soon as I locked the door.

"Wait for me! Hey!" I shouted as the lift door was about to close.

My neighbour clearly saw me running towards the lift with great urgency. But she ignored me and did not stop the lift door from closing.

Bitch.

I slapped on the door in anger and let out a frustrated cry. I pressed on the button several times as I looked at the time.

When the lift finally came, I ran into it and quickly pressed level one. Beads of sweat covered my forehead because I was really afraid that I might be late.

As I walked past the lobby, at the corner of my eye, I saw that selfish neighbour. She actually had an irritating smirk on her face. If I had the time to confront her, I would. However, she's lucky that I was rushing for time.

My legs were walking so fast that it ached after a while. Thank goodness I decided not to wear high heels.

I was still quite far away when the bus arrived at the bus stop. Knowing the fact that if I did not get on that bus, it was for sure that my job drove away with it.

"Hey! Don't drive off!" I screamed out the words when I ran towards the bus.

Weird glances were thrown my way but I ignored them. Who cares about people judging me when I was on the brink of mental breakdown. By the time I reached the bus, it was so full that I could not squeeze in. The frown on my face never left and the grip on my handbag tightened.

"Is it possible for everyone to move in a little?" A kind-hearted person asked the people on the bus.

Luckily, they were cooperative and moved in until there was enough space for me to get on the bus. I wedged through the narrow space between arms to tap my card.
"Thank you." I nodded my head to those who met my eyes.

I finally was able to let out a breath of relief and leant against the bus door. The entire bus ride was nerve-wracking. If there was any traffic jam, I would definitely cry on the spot.

Well, luck was on my side after this morning's situation. I managed to reach the building five minutes before reporting time. The receptionist gave me a card which had my face and name on it.

"Do not lose this card. This card is for you to enter the building and act as your identification card. Then, head over to level twenty." The receptionist ended off the instructions with a polite smile.

"Okay, thanks." I murmured while making my way to the turnstile gate to tap my card.

Lots of people were waiting for the elevators to bring them to their designated levels. Fortunately, two elevators came down at the same time and everyone was able to get inside.

Coincidentally, everyone in the same elevator as me were going to the twentieth floor. As the elevator door slid open quietly, I was pushed forward roughly.

When I stepped out of the elevator, I was greeted by everything that screamed expensive. The floors were made of coloured tiles arranged in jagged patterns that shone brightly under the white fluorescent lights. There was a black leather sofa placed against the wall right beside the elevator. A set of glass door shielded the offices from outsiders.

Even the company's name that was hanging above the receptionist counter looked fancy. 'Gracefully Poise' was written in a curvy font in black with a hint of shadow effect in hot pink.

"Chin up, Rachel," I mumbled under my breath.

Making sure a smile was hanging on my face when I approached the receptionist counter.

"Uh, hi. I was told to be here at nine." I informed the lady who was dressed in a blue blouse with a black blazer.

My gaze flickered to her name tag, I saw that it read 'Amelia'.

"You're Rachel Williams?" Amelia asked as she moved her eyes away from the computer screen.

"Yes."

"Well, you're just on time," Amelia commented dryly as I quickly broke the eye contact.

This was not a very good start to my work here.

"I suppose it's your lucky day. Mrs Wright called in that she will be ten minutes late. Bear that in mind, Mrs Wright values punctuality more than anything else. Reaching on time isn't exactly acceptable too." Amelia's tone was less strict than before.

"Oh okay, thank you." I gave Amelia an awkward smile as she pointed at the leather sofa.

"Please take a seat, Mrs Wright will be here anytime now."

I obediently seated myself comfortably on the sofa. My smartphone vibrated in my bag and I took it out to check.

Gavin : Hey babe, good luck and have fun! ;)

Rachel : HAHAHA thanks.

"Good morning, Mrs Wright." Amelia greeted with a polite nod.

"Good morning, Amelia. Is Rachel Williams here yet?"

Instinctively, I stood up when Mrs Wright was asking for me.

"Yes."

Mrs Wright shot me a sideways glance before she walked past me. I took it as a cue to follow her in.

The clicking sound of Mrs Wright high heels made everyone stop whatever they were doing. All of them greeted her and continue with their works.

My eyes wandered around the place where I have to work from today onwards. It was really bright because of the light colours they used on the walls. The working area for each designer was cluttered with their sketches and materials.

I followed Mrs Wright up a set of stairs. There were two offices which overlooked the entire working area. Two fully equipped tables were placed outside of the offices. But, no one was sitting there.

I closed the door behind us, as Mrs Wright walked over to her table.

"So, I'm giving you a choice. Do you want to be my assistant or one of my designer's?"

I was standing at the door feeling awkward when she asked me that question. Before I could say anything Mrs Wright continue speaking.

"This is your one and only chance to choose. Because if in the future you regretted working for me, there's only one way out. Which is to quit. I was told by my previous assistant, who recently retired, that I'm one hell of a bitch to work with. When it comes to working, I can be very strict. But, outside of work, I can also joke around with you, like a friend." Mrs Wright added without breaking eye contact.

I gulped down my saliva and did a quick analysis of the situation. Mrs Wright patiently waited for my decision.

"Mrs Wright, is the table outside your office for me?"

Mrs Wright had a hint of a smile on her pink lips when she nodded.

"Alright, then. Pass this supplier's list to my head designer, whose office is just opposite of mine."

"Okay, Mrs Wright." I took over the paper from my boss.

I hid my handbag under the table and approached a navy blue door. The name that was on the door read 'Evangeline Stewart'.

My fist was raised to knock on the door. I twisted the doorknob once the person inside said 'come in'.

Author's note :
Well well well. Hahaha Rachel isn't working for Zachary though 😛 Sorry if you're disappointed 😅 Oh, I've changed the cover of this story, hope you'll like it! 😊 Please note that this chapter and the others are not edited! Thanks for tolerating all those mistakes! 😁 Vote/share/comment, if you want to! 😄