As Jessica said, someone received me on the 18th floor. His name was Ethan, and apparently, he was the assistant to the team manager. Since I'm just starting my career, he gave me a tour of the floor and showed me where my cubicle was. Simple tasks were going to be given to me for now, since they said they wanted to test the new employee's capabilities across different competencies during the first few weeks. I find that awesome, since I want to learn a bit about everything in the field if I'm able to.
Apparently, I wasn't going to meet my manager just yet, though. Ethan said he was on a business trip, so I would probably meet him either tomorrow or the day after. Therefore, I would say that my first day was a relaxed one.
The main team was around 12 people, and thankfully, those neighbouring my cubicle were very nice. Both were guys to the sides, but right across me, seated a very stylish girl.
"Layna, you're very lucky to arrive at this time of the year, it's the time when drama settles down," Ben, the neighbour to my left side, said, very laid back while drinking hot coffee and burning his tongue for trying to start gossip. "Ah! Mhm! Uff, this is hot. Phew…"
"Are you ok? Want me to get you some water?"
"Oh, no dear, I'm alright. This happens to me all the time. I have a bit of a cat tongue, and I always forget, haha. But as I was saying... you're very lucky. We just finished a deadline, so you'll be able to take your time and learn the ropes peacefully around here."
"Right. I envy you, Layna. When I just started here, a huge company requested a whole renewal of their image since they changed owners. Gosh… Just thinking about it makes me want to kill myself," Tyler, the one sitting to my right, said. Giving off dying vibes from the get-go with huge dark circles that his glasses couldn't hide.
"Oh… I guess I am lucky if you say that, haha."
The two were very welcoming and helped me get through the day, even though I had few tasks to do. Everything went well. Truly well. My first day at work finished successfully without me fainting from lack of sleep as well.
I'm liking this place already. It did get busy the next few days, but people are mostly nice, and if they aren't, I simply ignore them and try to do my work the best I can. I contemplate now that I'm slowly getting used to the routine and to the place.
Thankfully, I haven't had any bad interactions to dislike the environment, and as days have gone by, I've become closer to the guys at the office.
"I know~ when I started working here, I had to buy a new closet because of the company's formality. It was awful having to use my first paycheck to get new clothes… But it was worth it. I swear," Ben shared with me after I told him how Sophie has been helping me with my clothes since I didn't have anything proper to wear.
"Yeah. I think I'll have to do the same. My friend lent me these clothes, but I can't keep them forever. She only lent them to me, and she didn't do it for free... I'm sure of it."
"Oh, then it's best if you return them as soon as you're able to. I've seen girls end friendships because of lending clothes to each other. You should be careful."
"Pff~ I don't think that will happen in my case, but thanks. I'll probably buy a few new pieces for her as a thank you... Who would even end a friendship because of that? Sounds a bit cra—"
"Patricia did," cutting into the word I was about to say, Ben widened his eyes, giving the follow-up to the example sitting right across us. "Right? Was it with your childhood friend, Patricia? That you cut ties?"
"... Yeah. That b*tch," Patricia coldly replied, turning upset immediately after recalling the incident, punching her desk out of rage. "I kept thinking I had goblins at my house hiding my stuff… But it was her! That darn b*tch! She stole my most expensive dresses and went on a date with the guy I liked to top it all off! Darn Molly…I swear she owes me many grands if I count the years we were friends."
"... It's a sensitive topic, let's not dig more into the wound," Ben whispered, cautious since Patricia is sensitive overall, giving me a tilt of his head, implying how heroic a save he gave me by interrupting how I was about to say a person had to be crazy to do that.
I nodded in agreement, truly grateful since the hit she gave the desk made mine tremble at her strength and as we continued talking, trying to leave behind the topic, Tyler finally came back, dragging his feet as usual since time for lunch had finally arrived.
"Guys….. Foooood."
"Dude. Why are you so pale? Did you meet the devil??" Ben asked, annoyed.
"I'm so hungry…"
"Haha, let's just go before Tyler faints for real," I said.
"I'm dying... But I can't go yet… I have to finish these samples before four P.M.…"
"Me too. Count me out." Patricia joined Tyler.
"... I actually have to archive these documents… Could you go ahead and save us a seat, Layna? I'm sorry about this…"
"It's fine… Drink some water first, Tyler… I feel like you became a dry branch." Handing him a new bottle of water, I felt sorry for him since he obviously was having trouble with his insomnia these days.
"...thank you… I'll drink it slowly…"
Feeling sorry for the guy, I stood from my seat to go get us a table at the company's casino.
The time was just right. After my first month in this job, I realised that going earlier was the right decision. Many people went in mass to get lunch, either at the casino or outside, but the fact that many would leave the building… Was the real problem.
"It's still early, so I won't be smashed by a flood of people today… I hope," pressing the elevator's button, I prayed to the red count down at the top of the gate.
I was nervous every time since I hate the stuffiness, just like anybody. Hence, when the doors opened and I saw a lot of free space, relief flooded me instead.
"Good afternoon!" I said as I quickly went in. Greeting the man and woman standing inside.