The next morning, Selena woke to the soft chime of her alarm, feeling a cautious sense of purpose. She splashed cold water on her face, took a long shower, and dressed in the simple blue blouse and tailored slacks she'd carefully selected the night before.
She left early, weaving out of Queens before the traffic thickened, taking the familiar streets to Manhattan with afternoon light filtering through trees and empty sidewalks. The early hour lent her a quiet confidence—she was new territory, and for once, she was ahead of the chaos.
Arriving at the Brooks Group headquarters was surreal. The sleek lobby, the polished floors, the hum of well-dressed professionals, all of it felt both overwhelming and exhilarating. She approached the receptionist, her heart beating too fast.
"I have an HR appointment," Selena said when prompted.
The receptionist, a poised woman with a flawless blazer, looked up, "May I know your name?"
"Selena Blake."
