Chapter 1

Amy stood in front of the mirror, twirling her hair nervously. She had gone to the hairdresser the day before in preparation for today, her first day of work, but try as she might, she could not replicate the soft curls that the hairdresser wove effortlessly out of her hair. When she tried, it only made her hair stand out from her head, giving her a dishevelled look, the last impression she wanted to create on her first day.

Sighing in exasperation, she glanced at the alarm clock and gasped. She was going to be late if she didn't get a move on soon.

Dashing past her mother, who was placing a sandwich on the dining table, she said, "Sorry, mum, I don't have time for breakfast. Gotta go! Don't wait up for me. I'm meeting Ella for dinner and drinks tonight."

"You can't go to work on an empty stomach," her hapless mother replied, but the words slipped into the void. Amy had already left the house, banging the front door shut behind her. Amy's mother sat at the dining table and started on her breakfast. As was her wont when she was alone, she struck up a conversation with her husband, who had died in a car accident over a decade ago.

"Dear, our little girl has grown up. You would have been so proud of her. She's graduated from university and has just gone to work. The poor girl. What with the economy being so bad, she submitted many job applications. I asked her how many applications she sent out but she refused to tell me. Just kept telling me not to worry and that she would find a job soon so that she can pay back her student loan," shared Amy's mother.

The small travel agency that hired Amy was located in an old office block that had clearly seen better days. At the threshold of the agency, Amy took a deep breath before pushing the foggy glass door open.

"Hi, you must be Amy," said a young woman with a pixie cut to Amy. Extending her hand to Amy, she continued, "I'm Jane and I handle ticketing. Our desks are next to each other, so Alex asked me to be your buddy to help you settle in."

"Thank you so much. This is my first permanent job so I'm a little nervous," Amy said.

"Don't worry!" said Jane. "Ask me if you have any questions. I've set up your laptop for you. All you need to do is create an account and you're all set." Stopping at Amy's desk, she pointed at it and said, "This is your seat. I've also prepared a welcome pack of stationery for you. But," she chuckled, "between you and me, I can't stand the cheap ballpoint pens they use here, so I use my own stationery. You settle down for now. In about 10 minutes, I'll bring you to meet your supervisor. His name's Matt."

Ten minutes later, Amy found herself face-to-face with Matt. He was devilishly handsome, with fine features and a mop of floppy hair. Standing in front of his desk, she wondered whether she should sit down in one of the visitor chairs. After a minute of silence, she deemed it safe to sit, and was starting to sit down when Matt barked, "Who said you could sit?" Amy stood back up immediately, her face burning in shame.

"Young people today have no fortitude. Can't even stand for one minute," Matt sneered.

A retort sprang to Amy's lips but she bit it back hastily. It's my first day, I had better be deferential, Amy thought. Besides, I must stay in this job for at least two years; otherwise, it'll look bad on my resume.

Lost in her thoughts, Amy started when Matt resumed speaking.

"Did you even look in the mirror before you came to work today? Your hair is a mess and oh my goodness, your make-up! You look like a wayang artiste who has wandered off the stage by mistake," said Matt.

What is the bloody problem with him? That time of the month? Amy thought furiously. Oh wait, men don't have a time of the month. This must be his default setting. Just my luck to get a boss like him.

"I want you to spend the first few days reading. Familiarise yourself with the company website as it'll be your job to keep it updated. Also, be well-versed with our travel products, and be ready to share the information with anyone who asks. With COVID-19, our travel itineraries have changed quite a bit, so it's not the same as travel packages in the past. You're a university graduate, so does it mean you can only study and not work?" said Matt.

Amy gazed at Matt in mute silence. Why was he disparaging her on her first day? Uncertain whether to stay or leave as she had not been officially dismissed, she decided to err on the side of caution and stay.

After a minute, Matt looked up and clicked his tongue in exasperation, "Are you still here? Go and follow up on the things I asked you to do! Sheesh, uni grads are really only good at studying."

"Yes, Matt," croaked Amy before melting away to her desk.

The rest of the morning saw Amy clicking through the company website and reading up on the company's travel products. As the child of a single parent, Amy had not travelled much but she had always been enchanted with the romance of travel, and planned to make short trips after she had paid off her student loan, beginning with a holiday with her mother.

At lunch time, Amy waited for Jane to finish up urgent COVID-19 pre-flight testing arrangements for some clients. Jane brought Amy to a food court nearby for lunch and for the first time that day, Amy felt she could finally relax. She wondered whether she should ask Jane about Matt's attitude towards her – was that normal behaviour for him? But she hesitated. It's my first day, Amy thought, I should talk less and listen more.

"Larry, the Managing Director, usually comes to the office after lunch. I'll bring you to see him when he gets in," promised Jane.

I hope Larry's nothing like Matt. I'll die if there are two people in the company who treat me like dirt, thought Amy.

Amy's fears were unfounded. Larry turned out to be an affable guy who started the travel agency because he loved travelling and wanted to share the travel bug with as many people as he could. "That's just what I feel too!" blurted Amy.

"You're just like Matt then," Larry grinned. "I poached Matt from a large travel agency because I saw that he had a passion for creating unique enjoyable travel experiences. Regardless of your budget, Matt can develop an itinerary that you love."

Amy smiled politely, but inwardly, she thought, that doesn't sound at all like the Matt she met that morning.

"We're a small company but we aim to provide top quality experiences to all our travellers," said Larry.

Getting up from his chair, Larry said, "Oh, let me introduce you to Maia. She's my secretary. I can't do anything without her. She was on urgent leave this morning but she should have come in by now."

Perching himself at a corner of Maia's desk, Larry said, "Maia, meet Amy. Amy, meet Maia." Turning back to Amy, Larry said, "Anything you need me to sign or review, please pass it to Maia. She knows my schedule best. No point leaving documents on my desk if I'm not going to be in the office."

"Sure, thanks for letting me know, Larry," said Amy.

"Welcome to the company, Amy," said Maia. Amy turned to look at Maia and saw a pleasant-looking woman who appeared to be in her thirties. She wore a scarf tied fashionably around her neck, a look that Amy was sure she wouldn't be able to pull off in a million years. Her shift dress was in a delicate shade of teal and looked expensive.

"Thank you, Maia," replied Amy. "I'm very excited to be working here and hope to learn fast and contribute soon."

Laughing, Maia said, "Well, with an attitude like that, I'm sure you'll do well. Feel free to pop by anytime and ask me any questions you may have. A new job can be unnerving – so many new faces and things to absorb."

"You're telling me!" agreed Amy fervently. "Thanks in advance! I may just take you up on your offer."

"Please do. I look forward to it," replied Maia.

Back at her desk, Amy was about to resume her perusal of the company's travel offerings when Jane turned up at her desk, all agog. "Was that laughter that I heard between you and Maia?"

"Yes!" said Amy, smiling. "Maia's been really kind. She said that could approach anytime and ask her any questions I might have about work."

Taking in Jane's expression which resembled Edvard Munch's The Scream, Amy's smile faded. "What's wrong?"

"You're new, so you don't know that Maia has a nickname. She's known as the Dragon Lady because she's bitterly sarcastic to everyone in the office, except to Larry. She has thrown a file back in my face because I forgot to indicate the date on the document," said Jane. "I wonder why she's so friendly with you today. I know! Maybe she struck lottery!"

"Lol, Maia just seemed to be an ordinary person to me," said Amy.

"You'll learn soon enough she isn't any "ordinary person". Mark my words," said Jane darkly.

"I had better get back to my reading; otherwise Matt will be angry," said Amy.

"Oh, Matt doesn't do angry. He's always so sweet, not to mention handsome," gushed Jane.

"You and I seem to have very different views about our colleagues," mused Amy.

"Ehh...what did you say?" asked Jane.

Aware that she might have said too much, Jane backtracked, saying, "Wow! Look at the time. I really need to carry on with my reading."

It was not a moment too soon. Matt bellowed from his desk, "Uni grad, come here!"

Grimacing, Amy walked over to Matt's desk. "You called?"

"Pop quiz!" said Matt. "Question 1: Which are the countries that ew currently has quarrantine-free travel arrangements with? Question 2: Which of these countries do we offer travel packages to?"

As Amy recited the list of countries, she thanked her lucky stars that she had a good memory. Thankfully, he soon released her from her torment, admonishing her to continue reading up on the company and its products.

When six o'clock rolled around, Amy packed up her things and went to say goodbye to her colleagues, beginning with Matt, who merely grunted in response. Jane gave a cheery wave, saying, "Hope you had a good first day. See you tomorrow!" Larry had already gone off for the day (he's got to entertain some clients at dinner, Maia explained).

"How was your first day?" asked Maia.

"Well, this is my first real job, so I don't have anything to benchmark against," admitted Amy. "I just take everything in my stride."

"Well, just be prepared to work hard and learn, and you'll do fine," advised Maia. "See you tomorrow."

Amy heaved a sigh of relief as she exited the building. Her first day of work had finally ended. Now, she could look forward to meeting Ella.

At the up-and-coming restaurant which Ella had picked out (trust Ella to be able to get a reservation when other people had to wait weeks), Amy weaved her way between the tables to where Ella was seated.

"How was your first day?" asked Ella.

Sinking into a chair, Amy said, "I need a drink right now, before dinner. And don't tell me I shouldn't drink on an empty stomach."

After a large gin and whiskey, Amy was ready to talk.

"My boss is seriously good looking, but he's super rude to me, and I can't imagine why. He seems to hate me. There's a friendly co-worker who has a crush on the aforementioned boss. And the MD's secretary, who has a reputation as the Dragon Lady and yells at everyone else, is incredibly friendly to me. My world is all messed up," moaned Amy.

"Don't think so much. New environments are always confusing until you know what's what. Here, take a look at their menu. Do you think duck with blueberries is just too weird? Maybe we should stick to a regular chicken chop?" asked Ella.

"After the day I've had, I don't think I'm brave enough to face duck with blueberries. I'll take a regular chicken chop, thanks. You?" asked Amy.

"I like to live life dangerously, so duck with blueberries it is," declared Ella.

Over dinner, Amy told Ella that she was determined to stay on at the travel agency for at least two years for the sake of her resume and to earn enough to pay off her student loan. "After that, I'll fire Matt!" Amy said, all giggly. "I'll tell him to go to hell and bring his pop quizzes with him!"

"Oh my god, you're getting drunk already," said Ella. "I should have stopped you from having that gin and whiskey. Come on, get up, there's a good girl. I'm sending you home."

With the help of a waitress, Ella managed to carry Amy to her car.

At Amy's apartment, before Ella could ring the doorbell, Amy's mother opened the door. "I heard your car coming. Thanks for sending Amy home," she said to Ella.

"You're home, Amy. Say bye to Ella," said Amy's mother, leading Amy to the sofa in the living room.

"Amy has also sent me home many times when I've been drunk. I'm just returning the favour. Bye, Auntie!" Ella said, waving goodbye.

"I don't know how you're going to work tomorrow if you get a hangover," sighed Amy's mother. "Here, wash your face. I prepared some water in a basin for you."

"Thanks, mum. You're the best!" said Amy sleepily and promptly fell asleep on the sofa.