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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.<\/p>\n
Then everything changed with the arrival of Thaddeus, our new director.<\/p>\n
\u201cDid you see him?\u201d my coworker Mara whispered one morning by the coffee machine.<\/p>\n
\u201cSee who?\u201d I asked, distracted.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe new boss, Thaddeus. Trust me, you\u2019ll want to look presentable when you meet him.\u201d<\/p>\n
When Thaddeus finally entered the office, I understood the buzz. His charisma was magnetic, and I felt a heart skip. \u201cFocus, Lorelai,\u201d I reminded myself.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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\u201cLooks like we\u2019re up against each other,\u201d she said casually as she passed my desk.<\/p>\n
\u201cMay the best work win,\u201d I replied, emphasizing \u201cwork.\u201d<\/p>\n
Beatrix had a knack for charming everyone, including Thaddeus. I worried she was planning to use her charm to secure the job.<\/p>\n
One evening, exhausted from late nights, I decided to stop by Thaddeus\u2019s office to discuss my project. But fatigue overtook me, and I dozed off at my desk.<\/p>\n
I woke up to voices in the dark office. Panic surged as I recognized Beatrix\u2019s laughter. I ducked under my desk, holding my breath.<\/p>\n
The door to Thaddeus\u2019s office opened. Beatrix stepped out, leaning casually in the doorway, smiling. \u201cDinner?\u201d she asked, tossing her hair back. Thaddeus followed her toward the elevator, and I felt suffocated.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Thaddeus called Beatrix to start the presentation. My heart dropped as she began presenting… my work. I stood, trembling.<\/p>\n
\u201cShe stole my work!\u201d I blurted.<\/p>\n
Thaddeus frowned. \u201cLorelai, what are you talking about?\u201d<\/p>\n
I rushed to open my laptop, but my files were gone. Beatrix smirked, revealing my presentation on her tablet.<\/p>\n
\u201cLooking for this?\u201d she said sweetly.<\/p>\n
Thaddeus defended her, saying she had cleared it with him. My mind raced. She had done this while I slept. I felt defeated.<\/p>\n
After the meeting, Thaddeus asked me to stay behind. \u201cYou failed to safeguard your work,\u201d he said, and I snapped, accusing him of being biased because of Beatrix.<\/p>\n
He hardened his expression. \u201cYou\u2019re making false claims. Go rest.\u201d<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Then I discovered she hadn\u2019t been with Thaddeus that night; she was at a bar with friends. My suspicions were unfounded.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
\u201cI made a mistake trusting Beatrix,\u201d he admitted. \u201cYour work is brilliant. I\u2019m sorry.\u201d<\/p>\n
His admission softened my heart. \u201cDo you have feelings for me?\u201d he asked. I nodded, unable to speak.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve liked you since the moment we met,\u201d he confessed. \u201cAnd by the way, you\u2019ve been promoted. You\u2019ll lead your own department now.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat?\u201d I whispered.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou earned it, Lorelai. We\u2019ll celebrate. I\u2019ll be waiting downstairs.\u201d<\/p>\n
He started toward the fire escape, and I laughed. \u201cYou know, you can use the door this time.\u201d<\/p>\n
He chuckled, realizing.<\/p>\n
As I pulled myself together, I felt lighter. My career was just beginning\u2014and maybe my love life too.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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… <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":12493,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-12491","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"yoast_head":"\n