Working at a large corporation was no easy feat. My days were filled with endless spreadsheets, reports, and emails. I held onto the dream of landing a managerial position to present the project I had been developing for months.

Then everything changed with the arrival of Thaddeus, our new director.

“Did you see him?” my coworker Mara whispered one morning by the coffee machine.

“See who?” I asked, distracted.

“The new boss, Thaddeus. Trust me, you’ll want to look presentable when you meet him.”

When Thaddeus finally entered the office, I understood the buzz. His charisma was magnetic, and I felt a heart skip. “Focus, Lorelai,” I reminded myself.

Soon after, the company announced a competition for a new project manager. This was my chance. I had been tirelessly perfecting my project, but Beatrix, my biggest rival, was also determined.

Man in suit climbing the fire escape | Source: Midjourney

“Looks like we’re up against each other,” she said casually as she passed my desk.

“May the best work win,” I replied, emphasizing “work.”

Beatrix had a knack for charming everyone, including Thaddeus. I worried she was planning to use her charm to secure the job.

One evening, exhausted from late nights, I decided to stop by Thaddeus’s office to discuss my project. But fatigue overtook me, and I dozed off at my desk.

I woke up to voices in the dark office. Panic surged as I recognized Beatrix’s laughter. I ducked under my desk, holding my breath.

The door to Thaddeus’s office opened. Beatrix stepped out, leaning casually in the doorway, smiling. “Dinner?” she asked, tossing her hair back. Thaddeus followed her toward the elevator, and I felt suffocated.

The next day, I was ready to present my work. But when I arrived, I saw Beatrix still wearing the same outfit from the night before. Panic set in.

Thaddeus called Beatrix to start the presentation. My heart dropped as she began presenting… my work. I stood, trembling.

“She stole my work!” I blurted.

Thaddeus frowned. “Lorelai, what are you talking about?”

I rushed to open my laptop, but my files were gone. Beatrix smirked, revealing my presentation on her tablet.

“Looking for this?” she said sweetly.

Thaddeus defended her, saying she had cleared it with him. My mind raced. She had done this while I slept. I felt defeated.

After the meeting, Thaddeus asked me to stay behind. “You failed to safeguard your work,” he said, and I snapped, accusing him of being biased because of Beatrix.

He hardened his expression. “You’re making false claims. Go rest.”

I spent the weekend in despair, my apartment a mess. Everything I worked for was slipping away. In a moment of desperation, I created a fake social media account to investigate Beatrix.

Then I discovered she hadn’t been with Thaddeus that night; she was at a bar with friends. My suspicions were unfounded.

A loud knock on my door startled me awake later. It was Thaddeus! I hesitated but eventually opened it. He climbed up the fire escape, roses in hand.

“I made a mistake trusting Beatrix,” he admitted. “Your work is brilliant. I’m sorry.”

His admission softened my heart. “Do you have feelings for me?” he asked. I nodded, unable to speak.

“I’ve liked you since the moment we met,” he confessed. “And by the way, you’ve been promoted. You’ll lead your own department now.”

“What?” I whispered.

“You earned it, Lorelai. We’ll celebrate. I’ll be waiting downstairs.”

He started toward the fire escape, and I laughed. “You know, you can use the door this time.”

He chuckled, realizing.

As I pulled myself together, I felt lighter. My career was just beginning—and maybe my love life too.