The elevator doors slid open. Aria stepped out, relieved the man wasn't in the same company as her.
After two steps, the doors closed behind her. She turned her head, then let out a sigh. Thank goodness they weren't colleagues. No chance of running into him again. If he ever recognized her, it would be mortifying.
Aria felt lighter. She walked into the office building.
She waited outside the HR department. She didn't have an access card yet. New employees only got them after becoming permanent staff. She couldn't enter until a colleague arrived.
Morning gossip was the best. Hannah walked in first. "I heard the VP came to work in a pink shirt today," she said.
"I think he looks best in pink!" Olivia agreed, looking up. "Light blue suits him too. His skin is so good, any color works. But pink makes him look charming. And pink attracts romance!"
"Is the VP always that handsome?" Aria asked curiously.
The office went silent. Then Hannah burst out laughing. Olivia couldn't help laughing either.
Aria felt embarrassed. Had she said something wrong?
"The VP isn't just handsome," Hannah replied, still smiling. "He's more beautiful than a beauty!"
Aria didn't understand. Was he a man or a woman? She almost asked, but stopped herself just in time.
Olivia continued the gossip. "I heard a fan of the VP crashed into him in the lobby yesterday morning. Knocked him right down!"
"I heard that too," Hannah agreed excitedly. "Too bad I wasn't there. Missed the live show!"
"I heard the VP's face went black!"
"If it were me, I'd be furious too. That's basically getting groped in public. And the VP has a cleanliness obsession!"
The more Aria listened, the guiltier she felt. Her head dropped almost to her desk. It sounded exactly like the man she knocked down yesterday.
But she didn't know that man. And she didn't grope him. He almost crushed her instead.
"Aria, be careful when you see the VP," Hannah warned.
"Huh? Oh." Aria was startled. She looked up, her face red.
"Don't be so nervous. The VP is easy to get along with. He just doesn't like crazy fans."
"What does the VP look like?" Aria asked cautiously.
The man in the elevator today wore a pink shirt. He might be the same man she knocked down yesterday.
"Haven't you met the VP?" Olivia asked.
Aria shook her head.
Her computer pinged. Olivia said, "I just sent you a photo. That's the VP, Evan Sterling."
Aria opened the picture. Several people stood in it, holding wine glasses at some party. The photo was clearly taken secretly. She couldn't tell which one was the VP.
"Which one?" Aria asked, confused.
"Can't you see?" Hannah replied, a bit annoyed. "The tallest one holding the glass. So handsome, how can you miss him?"
Following Hannah's direction, Aria finally found the so-called VP. She saw a handsome man's side profile. He was talking to someone, unaware of the camera.
"Wearing a black suit? You can only see his side?" Aria asked hesitantly.
"Yes! Handsome, right?" Olivia asked with a smile.
"Beautiful," Aria had to answer.
She could only see his side, and it was blurry. His figure was good, but she couldn't see much else.
But the man in the pink shirt this morning was truly handsome. A man's attractiveness wasn't just about his body and face. His bearing mattered too.
The man in the elevator, even in a light pink shirt, didn't seem feminine. He looked clean and fresh, with a natural noble air.
"Do you have a clearer picture?" Aria asked.
"The VP doesn't like photos. This one was taken secretly. Do you think there's a clearer one?"
"Oh."
"Anyway, you work here now. You'll see him plenty. Don't worry."
"I'm not worried," Aria replied awkwardly.
"When you see him, tell us what you think," Hannah said with a smile.
"Hannah, stop teasing Aria. She's new and shy," Olivia said.
"Haha, you'll get used to us. We love to joke."
"It's fine. I like jokes too," Aria replied with a smile.
The HR manager arrived. Everyone stopped gossiping and started working.
Aria was still curious. But as a newcomer, it was better to keep a low profile. Work first, gossip later.
In the morning, the HR manager trained Aria on new content. In the afternoon, the administration department was busy arranging the workplace and distributing gifts. Aria was called to help.
She didn't mind. She applied for the administrative assistant position anyway. So she left with her administrative colleague, Hannah Moore.
"Aria, we'll put these gift certificates into the gift boxes later. One certificate per box. Don't miss any or put in extra," Hannah explained, leading Aria to the warehouse.
"Okay," Aria said.
After explaining, Hannah gave Aria the certificates and went to do other things.
Aria started opening the gift boxes one by one. She placed a certificate in each, then repackaged them. The work wasn't complicated, but it was tedious. And there were many boxes.
After finishing, Aria realized one certificate was missing. The last gift box had no certificate. She didn't know if a box was missing or if Hannah gave her one less.
Aria left the warehouse to ask Hannah. But the administration office was empty.
She checked the time. It was past seven. Almost eight o'clock.
She had been so busy, she forgot to leave work.
She didn't have Hannah's phone number. She would have to ask tomorrow.
After locking the warehouse door, Aria went to the HR office. Sadly, that door was locked too.
Her bag was still inside.
Aria was embarrassed.
How would she get home now? She didn't even have money for the subway.