Above Image of dress worn by Harper

Harper exited the taxi wearing a dark gray pencil skirt that reached below her knees and a white blouse. She had worn her hair in a ponytail and white pumps were adorned in her feet. She craned her neck up to look at the building and smiled.

She then looked towards her watch and was glad to learn that she had reached ten minutes before the designated time. Taking a deep breath she entered the humongous building. She gave a polite smile to the security guard standing inside the revolving door of the Lucino Co. who looked stunned at the gesture. He smiled back at her.

She underwent the security check ups and upon inquiry she introduced herself as the newly appointed employee. She was provided with a badge and was escorted to the seventeenth floor by a strict looking lady. The lady was wearing professional clothes like her. She was wearing glasses giving her the look of a strict warden. Her graying hairs were made into a perfect bun.

Upon reaching she found Lilly. She was wearing a dark blue long sleeved pencil dress and was talking animatedly with a boy who was looking bored and yet he was smiling politely. She shook her head and went where the duo were standing. She tapped Lilly on the shoulder. Lilly looked back and when she saw Harper standing behind her with a smile, she embraced her.

Harper chuckled at her enthusiasm and whispered in Lilly's ear. "Quit your rambling about video games, you are boring the poor boy to death"

Lilly gasped and pushed Harper back with a scowl. "He so was not getting bored."
Harper laughed. "Really, look how relieved he is looking and he is running far away from you." To Lilly's embarrassment she found the boy walking briskly in the other direction.

Harper looked around and found the hall in which she was standing separated by a tainted glass door. The other side of the glass door was not visible. So she looked around the hall and found few paintings on the wall. A reception desk and few couches were placed for sitting.

Someone cleared their throat at a distance and when Harper and Lilly looked towards the source. Harper found the same strict looking lady standing with a tablet in her hand.

"The four of you are required to sign these files before proceeding further." She handed each a file. Only then Harper noticed the third girl present. She was dressed perfectly, her blonde hair was shining and not a single strand was loose. Her make up was perfect and she was looking at ease. When she smiled towards Harper, she was taken back but still Harper smiled back for courtesy.

The next fifteen minutes was spent in explaining the contract that they were given. How they will have to work for three months in three different departments. How their internship will be monitored and how there are chances that one amongst them may have to leave after the end of it.

"Any inquires?" The strict lady who introduced herself as Lois Robinson asked. When no one spoke, she nodded and continued. "You will soon be joined by Mr. Ram Patel who will be your incharge from here onwards." And she left.

Harper felt like she was back in high school and was getting reprimanded from one of her teacher.

"She is nightmare, that one." The boy who was earlier talking to Lilly spoke. "Hi, I am Jake Hyde." Harper smiled and took his hand for a shake and introduced herself.

"I am Bethany Williams." The third girl who was looking like model introduced herself. A normal conversation was flowing between the four of them when a middle aged man interrupted them.

They all looked towards him. Harper noticed that he was bald from front and had a pot belly. He was also wearing round shaped spectacles. "I am Ram Patel. You can call me Mr. Patel or Ram. I will be your supervisor for three months. You all will be working in the marketing department which is behind this door. Your performances will be judged for the next three months. So be ready to sweat."

They were provided cubicles to work and all the things were thoroughly explained with details. The designated work was assigned and that is how there morning was spent.
At lunch Harper was able to breathe properly. The four of them decided to go to the nearby restaurant rather than the office cafeteria.

"I was so excited in the morning, but now it has all gone down to the drain." Bethany moaned once they took their seats in the restaurant. "I never expected my first day to be so busy."

Jake cracked his neck and kneaded his sore muscles. "I agree, I don't remember the last time I worked this much. College was so easy. But I see no one is complaining amongst you two." He said pointing towards Lilly and Harper.

Lilly just shrugged her shoulders and Harper smiled. "I am used to working long hours."

"What do you mean?" Bethany asked.

Harper sighed. "Let's just say I know how to sweat."

When Bethany scrunched her nose in confusion Lilly giggled. "Don't expect Harper to open up on the first meeting with you. Imagine, I am the only friend that she had in the university except Colton."

Jake laughed and Bethany gasped. "I can't believe it. Does that mean you have never attended frat parties?"

Harper who was looking murderously towards Lilly for saying so much sighed and instead said. "I am really hungry. I would like to order something."

After they had placed their orders Harper found that Jake was looking towards her intently. She fidgeted in her seat and asked. "Why are you looking towards me like that?"

"Like what?" Jake asked nonchalantly.

"Like you are trying to solve some sort of puzzle." Harper replied.

"May be I am"

"Look I had some family problems. So I used to work in the morning before university classes and after classes too till late night. So I am used to work pressure. In fact today is relaxing day for me than others. End of story. Now stop looking like I am an alien and start eating."

"You are not very friendly. Are you?" Bethany asked.

Harper sighed. "I don't want to start wrong Bethany. I was friendly and happy go lucky once but life taught me lessons. Lessons no teenager should be taught. Look, I am not very comfortable talking about my private life. Not so soon. Please can we drop it?"

Bethany sensing her discomfort started talking about herself. "Fine I can talk about myself then. I had an easy life since I was born. Rich kid you know" She chuckled and then continued. "My father died when I was sixteen from a car crash. It was a set back for me and my family but you know our family got lucky once again in happiness. My mother fell in love with the awesome man on this earth. Last year they got married and loves me and my sister like my own father. My mum is very happy being Lauren Ellington now."

The clanking of spoon broke the rambling of Bethany. Harper was gasping for air. Lilly sensing her distress gave a glass of water. With shaking hands Harper hold the glass and drank the water.

"Are you alright?" Lilly asked.

"Yea" Harper gave a weak smile. "I got choked."

Jake looked unconvinced but he did not say anything.

"Is your mother the famous socialite Lauren Ellington, who got married to James Ellington last year." Harper asked in quivering voice.

"Yes" Bethany replied confused.

Harper looked towards Lilly with teary eyes and she understood the reason of distress that her best friend was facing.

"Uh I forgot I had to buy something for Colton" Lilly stood up suddenly. "I need your help Harper. We have still got ten minutes. We can see if we find something."

Lilly nudged Harper who was in a kind of trance. When Harper did not move, Lilly took hold of her arm and pulled her upwards from the seat.

"We will see you guys in a bit." She was dragging Harper who was still walking in a numb state and called Colton. When they were at a safe distance from the restaurant Lilly yelled at Harper. "Snap out of it Harps."

When Harper looked towards her, she engulfed her in a tight embrace and started crying. Lilly who felt her pain soothed her.

"What happened to her?" A voice asked.

When Lilly looked towards the source she exhaled a relieved sigh.

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