It's easy, a step at a time,

It's easy to built speed with time;

Where hardships lie at some point,

The hardest is the first step of determination!

*~*

First step is always the tough, so is the first day.

I accepted the fact when I entered the building premises. Even in the air conditioned environment; I found myself sweating profusely.

Mr. HR's words were ringing in my ears as I entered the awaiting elevator, checking my wrist watch, I was perfectly on time.

8:00 AM.

Yet the anxiety in me had different reasons to make me nervous. Palpitating, I took deep breaths as I waited to reach my floor. The lift however took its leisure time to reach my destination before splitting from middle.

The floor was the same but the vibes it provided were very different.

Comparing to last evening; the office was more populated and it wasn't a helping factor either.

"Miss. Amaira?" I heard my name being called which was a shock for me at the first place, since no one apart from the HR, Mr. Banner knew I existed.

Perhaps he shared his fair knowledge to subordinates!

I turned to face a girl with dark blonde hair and emerald eyes who was staring at me with a crisp yet warm smile.

"Yes"

"Hi, welcome to Claire and Co. I'm Sahara; let me take you to Mr. Deniz. He is waiting for you." She spoke with a smile which I reciprocated.

Nodding I answered, "Hello, nice to meet you, Sahara. Please."

In response, her smile only brightened as she turned toward the corner from where I just came.

I followed her; trying to came my racing conscious mind.

We entered the lift again, to which I frowned slightly but wiped it off before my company could catch it.

Sahara didn't try to make conversation neither do I. Perhaps she was familiarized by my nervousness. The lift announced the arrival of our designated floor. Only this time I was less shivering with anxiety, my insides gripping to my confidence.

"It's okay. You'll be fine." She tried to calm my anxious mind. I gave her smile of gratitude which she appreciated and we made our way ahead.

The hall where she took us was gargantuan. Divided into sections there were cubicles for employees differentiated in rows and a major section had the cabins where few people were busy with their computer behind the translucent glasses.

I heaved a breath bracing myself to face the new faces with confidence.

Here you go, girl!

Just breathe and rock the world! I tried to fill the oxygen of confidence in me which somehow helped.

We reached to the centre of the hall where a few people were standing. Asking me to stand there, Sahara took a turn which took her to the man of around the age of forty or something. She spoke to him for almost fifty seconds before they made their way back to the group; I stood to be a part of.

"Amaira, Welcome! I'm Mark Deniz the finance chief of Claire and Co., West division. And this is our team." He introduced himself with a handshake and a genuine smile before gesturing toward the group.

"Thank you so much Mr. Deniz. It's nice meet you." I held the smile of my own.

"Let me introduce—"

"Ah! Miss. Amaira, you're here." I rotated my head at the source of the familiar voice. It was Mr. Banner, the HR who interviewed me yesterday.

His presence somehow reduced my level of unfamiliarity in the huge group; my lips took a slight curve as a wave of comfort.

"Sir, Good morning." I greeted him with a warm smile.

"Morning." He nodded crossing his arms behind back, a gesture which spoke volumes about his confidence and command.

"Morning Sir." Others followed the suit.

From what I perceived about him, Mr. HR has a very polite, charming personality with shrewd features. His smile is genuine but his eyes speak volume.

"Miss. Amaira, let me introduced you to the staff." He politely ushered me toward the people toward the cubicles in the centre of the hall.

"He is Kevin, and Veronica, and you're Garcia and you have already met Sahara." He introduced one by one.

I smiled politely at everyone shaking hands occasional, trying to familiarize with their name and faces which stood as a difficult task at the moment having so many faces at once.

My smile was plastered on my face yet one name revolving in my mind.

Edward!

Where is he?

I listened to the names but none being heard familiar.

"Let me show you the cubicle where you'll be working from now on." Mr. Deniz announced gaining my attention. I smiled for the last time at the people assembled to welcome me before turning on my heels to follow him.

"Here, you can start your by today itself. The project details will be briefed to you shortly. Good luck Miss. Amaira." He said before nodding. I smiled murmuring a thank you him before he left leaving me to my small cubicle.

So here it is! My new job!

I was given the details later by Veronica who also provided me the account and pass-code to access the particular system. I graced her with a grateful smile; the girl was nice and smart. Strong built aggressive features but a warm smile that ease up a person to her.

The next set of hours I sat reading and analyzing the project report that was provided to me by one of the colleague.

Though the work was critical I found my way to grow interest and dedication into it.

Phew finally!

I seized the file with a joyful grin before taking a glance around in need to see the person who provided it to me.

Veronica!

To my luck, she wasn't there in my vision range. I pursed my lips in thin line continuing my search.

"Looking for someone?" I heard a whisper right next to my ear.

Startled I jerked forward with a gasp instinctively making distance between source and myself.

Once my breathing came normal, I focused my eyes on the indecent intruder to find a man, smiling sheepishly at me.

"I apologize to startle you but it was never an intention." The strange weird man muttered sheepishly and I blinked twice.

Well then what was?

"Um! No, that's fine." I answered taking long breaths to calm my racing heart.

"How may I help you?" I plastered a smile which was hard to showcase at the moment.

"You certainly can't sweetie. In fact it'll be me; who is here to help you out." The man with no name tag on his forehead stated cocking his brow a little upward.

Cocky much!

"Excuse me!"

"The file that was given to you was supposed to be in CEO's office by now but," he said glancing at the huge wall clock at the wall before meeting my gaze.

"As far as I perceive is still resting on your desk." He stated side glancing at my desk, apparently at the file that was resting there.

"Um! Yes. I was actually looking for someone to help me out with that. Here take it." I stated offering him the file.

"And what will I do with that?" he asked raising his thick brow again.

"Give it to the CEO, may be." I said unsure recalling his words a while ago.

"No sweetie. Not a chance, it must be you who should come forward to take the responsibility for your delayed work." He said shaking his head.

I'm new here for god's sake. Can't they get a little considerate for a new employee?

I was starting to get other opinions for this office inside my head but he had to interrupt me.

"If you are associating me with colorful words then let me remind you, we may be humans' with humanity but we are also workers who love their job. And if you too love your job and rush to the CEO's cabin before it's too late." He advised with a bright smile which at this point didn't give a pleasant feeling.

"Um! Can I ask you something?" I asked biting my inner cheek.

"As far as it isn't about the make out session I had in this week, anything Sweetie." he said smiling with a shrug.

Mental note: Let's just keep distance from next time!

Clearing my throat, I asked something which I was dreading as well as curious to ask, "Is Mr. CEO an angry man?"

His demeanor changed as he shook his head almost instinctively.

"No sweetie, in fact he is the most amazing and humble man I have ever met in my life. Perfect in every sense he is the definition of charm and charisma." He said with twinkling eyes and dreaming daze.

Another fan!

He has large fan following; impressive.

"Well can you tell me where the cabin of Mr. CEO is?"

"Ah! Sure, take the lift up, the biggest room straight, that's where the cabin of Mr. Edward is." He gave the direction making imaginary drawing in air.

Edward!

I gasped softly, "Edward—"

"Edward Morgan. The CEO of Claire and Co. for this division." He provided with a smile and shine in eyes.

"Oh okay. Thanks for the help. I must rush."

"You better rush Sweetie." He spoke and I felt a strong urge to strangle him for his over unwanted smartness.

The lift was considerate as in terms of speed to my urgency. I dashed out as the lift door split from the middle. Striding as fast as my stressed feet could take me. When the familiar translucent glass with golden plate came into view, a sudden adrenaline rush made me quicken my pace.

Once I reached the door, I halted in wobbling steps, took a deep breath to look calm and composed.

The cabin door was ajar but only silence could be here from inside. In the outside a comparative less crowd was residing, engrossed in its business.

With sweaty palms, I swept the courage to knock the door.

"Come in." A faint response was heard from inside.

My ears instantly peeped up; blood ran into the bloodstream resulting me to turn tomato in nervousness.

Taking few deep breaths to ease out my anxiety and fear, I entered the cabin pushing the door with my sweat drenched palm.

Taking the step inside, in spite of my nervousness, I let my gaze wonder to the surroundings leisurely.

The atmosphere was cool; calm in the serenity, the cabin was huge. Silver and white ruling the furniture while the touch of copper grabbing the attention of my eyes.

Wide floor to ceiling window panel allowing the wind to enter and swivel around the cabin; letting the cool breeze to kiss my bare skin.

I sighed in contentment feeling at ease in the cabin.

The taste to whosoever designed it is marvelous.

"The file was supposed to be on my desk by 4:00." The deep husky voice resonated startling at the same time exciting me. I snapped at the source of voice to find a dark silhouette lurking at one end.

With heavy clouded mind, I squinted my eyes; the figure helped me coming out in the light of nature coming through the window open.

My breath hitched in my throat as I witnessed the charm coming off the dark.

There stood a man who needed the advanced vocabulary of English literature to describe his features.

A tall figure coming over the desk. His appearance alone was seductively charming. The man's rugged yet elegant features were alluring. His raven black hair, which glistens in the daylight illuminating from the window, was combed back and his face carefully structured. He had an aristocrat nose and a thin pair of lips that he pursed. 

His tight jaw was an angular shape that was filled with little stubble. His pale skin looked mesmerizing. The man had on a white cotton shirt with a silky blue vest and a pair of blue pants, which tied everything together.

All in him was screaming an unusual charm, an alluring charisma which was unintentionally making me more aware of my senses.

I took in his features, except his eyes as they were focused upon his hands.

He came looking focused on his cufflink not sparing a glance at my way. Sitting on his luxurious chair, he activated the sleeping screen of his laptop before casting his eyes on me.

My heart skipped a beat when his eyes met mine.

Dark brown touching the depth of black were staring at me blankly yet holding so much to perceive.

He intertwined his fingers before resting his elbows on the desk as if awaiting something.

His eyes made the task almost impossible but somehow I came out of my semi-daze. Rationality came to hold my sane stance and I grab the focus of self, shifting it to the man in front of me.

"My apologies, Sir. I completed this file a long while ago but didn't know to whom I had to submit it." I gave the explanation handling him the file which he took.

"The new recruit in finance department? I see." He muttered looking at the contents of the file.

"How do you find the work till now?" he asked engrossing himself in the details of file.

"Critical yet challenging." I answered truthfully looking at the blue sky behind him through the wall length window; the scenery of the city was there to look like a beautiful portrait. A sense of content I reached losing at the beautiful sight of the sea shore, the alluring sight it was from the point I stood.

"And you like taking challenges I surmise." I gaze averted from the window to the man on Chair at his call. He spoke going to the last page of the file, the page dedicated to the declaration of the Company authority, precisely him.

"Indeed."

"Good to know. Be punctual next time along with being vigilant. I don't like delinquency but decisions taken on time has their value." He stated seizing the file and placing it on the edge of his glass chrome desk. Our eyes met as he spoke, I found a different spark in them, or perhaps it was my delusion.

They were different, speak volumes and so alive.

"Welcome to the company, Miss. Amaira. Your skills and efficiency will be polished as well as appreciated here along with the progress. Good luck!" he said with a curve tugging on his lips.

A curve on my lips automatically tugged as I heard him.

How did he know my name?

Of course records!

About the details of my wanting progress and appreciation.

Well the HR must have told him since the recruitments must be in his knowledge.

"Thank you." I said with the same smile.

He nodded at my words before he shifted his eyes to the screen of his laptop, his attention zeroed back in his work.

"Don't forget what I said." He spoke and I found myself nodding, getting his words in the absolute sense.

With a faint smile I made my way out. Looking at the now closed door, I allowed myself to breath.

There I was sweating coming here, all the bad thoughts were clouded my mind with anxiety gripping me to the core and only one fear was there in my conscious that what will be him like, what would have happened?

Will he go ballistic for delay?

Will he fire me?

Will he take an action against me?

All those thoughts were like the spooky vibes rise inside you when you approach the known haunted place at night.

It's quite natural, to feel worried, afraid and conscious!

But now that I am staring at the closed door, with a smile crawling on my lips, I see this with a different perspective.

Is it possible to be so simple and brilliant for a complicated title and position of Chief Executive Officer!

Apparently not!

With another smile plastered on my face, I revolve on my feet before going back to my desk. The entire fiasco had now left me in peace as I reached the elevator.

That was quite difficult yet interesting meet.

The words from Mr. Banner came to my conscience when I was boarding the elevator. His small praising speech and confidence for Mr. CEO, I recalled. Before meeting him I was anxious but now that I have met him, a strange feel has made home in me. The man's demeanor screams his charismatic personality, his command yet again there is something which makes him warm.

I stood utterly baffled at my own perceptions.

I was wondering how the HR could be so casual about the CEO but looking at the age difference, and his personality, I can surmise, he is close and respected between his subordinates.

First impression was almost a blunder. Amaira, be careful from next time.

Delinquency won't be appreciated!

Keep that in mind!

I huffed before making my way back to the desk.

*^*

The day set in darkness, but

The flame of mine is just ignited!

***

Amaira Flair

July 7, 2018