MY FIRST DAY

Monday arrived faster than I expected.I stood in front of my mirror, staring at myself as I adjusted my blouse.My first day at Adeyemi Holdings.I smiled.A new job.A new beginning.Maybe this was exactly what I needed.I grabbed my handbag and headed out.For the first time in a long time, I felt hopeful.But the moment I entered the building, that feeling disappeared.“Good morning, Isabella.”I turned.A woman who looked a few years older than me smiled warmly.“Good morning.”“I’m Daniel,” she said. “I work in administration. You must be the new employee.”“Yes.”“Welcome to Adeyemi Holdings.”“Thank you.”She showed me around and introduced me to several people.Everyone seemed friendly.Almost everyone.Then I heard footsteps behind me.I didn't need to turn around.I knew who it was.Jude.The atmosphere around me seemed to change.People became quieter.He walked past us without saying a word.His expensive cologne reached me before he disappeared down the hallway.Daniel leaned closer.“That’s Mr. Adeyemi.”“I know.”She looked at me strangely.“You already know him?”I hesitated.“It's a long story.”She laughed.“I can imagine.”I smiled awkwardly.My first few hours went smoothly.I worked hard, asked questions when I needed help, and tried to keep my attention on my job.I didn't want anyone thinking I had gotten the position because Jude knew me.Especially after what happened on the road.Around lunchtime, I walked toward the cafeteria.I was about to sit down when I heard someone behind me.“Isabella.”I turned.Jude.He stood there with his usual serious expression.“Yes, sir?”“Come to my office after lunch.”My stomach tightened.“Did I do something wrong?”“No.”“Then why—”“Just come.”He walked away before I could ask anything else.I stared after him.“Seriously?”I sighed.Maybe being his employee was going to be more difficult than I had imagined.After lunch, I knocked on his door.“Come in.”I entered.Jude was standing near the window.“Close the door.”I did.He turned toward me.“How is your first day?”“Good.”“Any problems?”“No.”“Good.”Silence.I waited.He walked toward his desk.“You'll be working directly with the management team on several projects.”I nodded.“Okay.”“And you'll occasionally have to report to me.”I swallowed.“Understood.”His eyes stayed on mine.“You seem uncomfortable around me.”I almost laughed.“Should I be comfortable?”His expression changed slightly.“I suppose that's fair.”For the first time, I saw something human in his eyes.Something that wasn't arrogance.Something almost tired.But it disappeared quickly.“You can go.”I turned toward the door.Then I heard him say my name.“Isabella.”I looked back.“Yes?”“About the other morning…”My heart skipped.He paused.“I shouldn't have spoken to you the way I did.”I stared at him.Was Jude Adeyemi actually apologizing?“I appreciate that,” I said quietly.He nodded.“That’s all.”I walked out.But I couldn't stop thinking about those few words.Maybe there was more to Jude than the arrogant man I'd met that morning.Maybe I'd judged him too quickly.Then, as I walked down the hallway, I saw a woman standing near the reception area.She was elegant.Beautiful.And she was staring directly at me.Our eyes met.She smiled.But there was nothing warm about it.She walked toward me slowly.“You're Isabella.”It wasn't a question.I frowned.“Yes.”Her smile grew slightly.“I'm surprised.”“Do I know you?”“No.”She stepped closer.“But I know Jude.”My heart suddenly began beating faster.“Who are you?”She leaned closer and whispered,“Someone who knows exactly what kind of man he really is.”Before I could respond, she walked away.I stood there frozen.I looked toward Jude's office.The door was closed.For some reason, I suddenly felt like I had stepped into a story that had already begun long before I arrived.And I had no idea how it was going to end.