The last two weeks had been a roller coaster for Chelsy. She didn't know why she thought of Hank all through.
They had a special connection, and she felt quite safe and seen around him. She had promised herself never to fall in love again and thus, decided to keep Hank out of her mind. ''Falling in love is not for people like me. It will only cause me pain and heartache. Chelsy, learn to protect your heart. If not, it will be broken all over again.'' Chelsy reminded herself and decided to forget about Hank.
Since it was Sunday, and the next day was her first day at work, she decided to call her best friend Rachel.
The call got connected and Rachel sounded cold on the other side of the phone. ''Hello. And who is this?''
Rachel had never been one to answer calls from unknown numbers, because most of the time, they were people trying to sell insurance policies or some marketing people.
Chelsy had changed her number and had called Rachel to let her know. Chelsy decided to tease Rachel. She tried so hard not to laugh, cleared her throat and made her voice deeper.
''Greetings Miss Hannigan. I am calling from the Lotto central office in Liverpool. We are excited to let you know that you have won one hundred million pounds, and therefore, you are invited to come over to our headquarters in Liverpool with your ticket for confirmation.''
Rachel was confused and annoyed at the same time. She said with an irritated tone. ''Excuse me ma'am, but you have called the wrong number. I didn't participate in any lotto of any sort. If there is nothing else, goodbye.''
Before she could end the call, Chelsy burst into hysterical laughter and said, ''Come on baby girl. The teaser is finally being teased.''
When Rachel realized that it was Chelsy, she snorted. ''Chelsy! So you are the one, huh? This little she devil. You changed your number and didn't let me know, huh?''
Chelsy gave a little laugh and said, ''My darling. I changed my number three days ago. You are actually the first person I have called with this new number. Lenny doesn't have this number yet. Will text him later with my new contact number.''
When Rachel heard this, her heart softened, and she replied. ''Okay baby girl. I believe you. But Chels, I really miss you so much, sisi. Wolverton is so boring without you.''
When Chelsy heard this, she said, ''I miss you too, Rach. Don't worry, I know you will be coming here soon to visit. By the way, how is Jade? Hope he is doing okay. I really miss you both.''
When Rachel heard this, she said with lots of excitement in her voice. ''You know what Chels? In six days, Jade and I will be going to Mallorca for a baecation. We will be spending one whole week there. Do you know what that means?''
Chelsy chuckled and said, ''baby girl, I am ready to be an auntie. I can't wait to be a godmother.''
They both burst out laughing and Rachel said, ''This girl. Your mind is filthy. Anyway, we will do all the dirty things you know, but no baby talks right now. I am not yet ready to share Jade with a mini me yet. Let me have him all to myself before intruders in the name of babies come.''
Rachel sounded like a teenager being courted for the first time. They spoke for some minutes more and then ended the call.
It was the next day, which was Monday, and Chelsy had woken up to the blaring sound of her alarm. It was six thirty in the morning.
Since Chelsy's house was thirty minutes away from her job site, and she started work at eight in the morning, she had to get up quite early.
Chelsy was really excited about starting her new job as an intern at Rivers Holdings. She took a quick shower, and wore a white plaid shirt, tucked in her brown check trousers.
She brushed her black Bob hair in a side part. Chelsy had no makeup on, but she was truly beautiful. Her beauty could attract the attention of people from a distance. She looked at herself in the mirror and said, ''Chels, this is it. Let's go show them what you are made of.'' She gave a little chuckle, checked herself out and left her house.
Chelsy got to Rivers Holdings at about seven forty five in the morning. When she got into the building, she presented herself to the receptionist. ''Hello ma'am. My name is Chelsy Powers, and I am the new intern here.''
The receptionist, who was a brunette and had freckles, looked at Chelsy from head to toe with disgust, as if she was some sort of virus.
Chelsy checked herself to see if there was anything wrong with her clothes. The receptionist checked her computer and saw Chelsy's name. She pointed at a file in front of her and spoke with a condescending tone. ''Write your name on that file and then take this card.''
She handed a pass card to Chelsy. ''Go to the sixth floor and ask for human resources.''
Chelsy collected the card and thanked her. Jeez. London is indeed a lion's den. Why is this lady so mean this early? Oh God. I hope the people in my office will at least be kind. Chelsy thought to herself.
When she got to the Human Resource, a lady in her early thirties walked up to her with a warm smile. ''Hey there. You must be Chelsy Powers. I am Rebecca Anderson, but you can call me Becky. My uncle has told me so much about you.''
When Chelsy saw the warm welcome, she smiled. Thank God there is someone who is not that mean to me. She thought to herself.
''Greetings Becky. Uncle Ed has spoken so highly of you as well. Thank you for having me here.''
Becky gave a little laughter and responded to Chelsy. ''I hope he spoke good things about me though. Anyway, here is your employee batch and number. Let me take you to your department. Please follow me'' Rebecca spoke as she led the way.
The public relations department was on the fifth floor. They were known for their style and fashion eye. They were in competition with the marketing department for both beauty and fashion sense.
Though the most beautiful came from the public relations department, their attitudes were the most sour and condescending.
Each member there was out to dress to kill.
Most of the men in the company swooned over the ladies and did virtually everything to be noticed.
Chelsy and Becky arrived at the public relations department, and she was taken to the department head's office.
''Hello Kyle. This is Chelsy Powers, the new intern in your department. Chelsy, this is Mister Kyle Hastings, your head of department. You both should get acquainted, and he will show you around. I will leave her with you, Kyle.'' Becky spoke and left.
Kyle looked at Chelsy and seemed lost. Kyle Hastings was known for being lecherous and flirting with the beautiful women in his department.
He looked at Chelsy lustfully, and said with a smoldering smile while extending his hand for a handshake. ''Welcome Miss Powers. Come. Let me introduce you to the rest of the team.''
He walked out and Chelsy followed him. The office had a cellular office layout, where the floor was divided into smaller individual work spaces.
''Hey everyone. Can I have your attention? Please welcome Miss Chelsy Powers, our new intern. She will be working with team B, which is Erica's team.''
There was a murmuring noise in the hall. Erica stood up and said with a smile. ''Welcome to team B Chelsy. I am Erica and this is Ruben and Cleopatra, all members of team B.''
Chelsy gave a warm smile and responded. ''Thank you, Erica. Hello Cleopatra and Ruben. It is nice to meet you all. I hope I get to learn a lot from you. Please, I am a rookie, and will appreciate all the help and corrections.''
Kyle cleared his throat and said, ''Okay Erica. I will leave her with you.'' He gave Chelsy one last smile and said, ''If you need help with anything, don't hesitate to come to me, okay?''
Chelsy nodded and replied, ''Thank you, Mister Hastings.'' Kyle spun around, and walked back to his office.
There came a male voice beside Chelsy. ''Wow. She is not only beautiful, but very humble.'' Ruben responded.
The other team, which was team A, was headed by Nicole Brown, the most snobbish member of the public relations department.
She was known for her poisonous tongue whenever she opened her mouth to speak. She didn't care how her words hurt other people, as long as she got what she wanted. Her team had always been the winning team, and she used that as a reason to trample and disrespect members of team B.
She considered herself to be the most beautiful, since she was tall and had a slender figure. The men in the office and other departments were actually swooning over her, but her target was their CEO.
Any girl who was more beautiful than her was automatically considered her enemy.
When she saw how beautiful Chelsy was, and how the office members were murmuring about her being as beautiful as a goddess, she automatically developed a degree of hatred towards her.
Erica spoke up. ''Come Chelsy. This will be your office desk.'' She pointed at a desk beside Nicole's.
Nicole's face turned red, and she spoke condescendingly. ''Excuse you? But she can't sit there. This space is for team A members only. By the way, the other intern who will be allocated to team A will be sitting here. She should move over to the other end. That's where the team of losers sits.'' She pointed at a small desk by the window which was saved for packing files.
''Come on Nicole. That space is so small, and it is meant for packing files and not for anyone sitting on it. Why are you being so cruel to Chelsy on her very first day? She hasn't done anything wrong to you.''
Nicole rolled her eyes, looked at Chelsy and said, ''rather than standing here and moping around, you had better go over there and clear your work space.''
She snapped and catwalked away.
Chelsy held Erica's hand and said with a warm smile. ''It is okay Erica. I will use that space. I don't really think it has got any problem.''
Erica looked at Chelsy with so much pity in her eyes and said, ''Let me help you, so that we can put the files away together.''
Chelsy smiled and thanked her.
Will Chelsy be able to handle the heat of her new job?