The New Job

Julia moved all her items next to the door, trying to ensure she had all she needed for her day. She dug through her boxes, looking for her jewelry as the sun from the large windows lit up the space. Her alarm went off, letting her know to leave and she gave up her search, heading out her front door.

Turning to lock it, the door behind her opened, and the man from last night was also leaving his apartment. She avoided looking at him as she walked to the elevator, but he seemed to be going at the same speed. She pressed the button before glancing at the neighbor. His phone occupied his attention.

She looked down to see she also had her phone open as she had begun creating emails and setting up her accounts on her new phone. After today, she was sure she would be like him, always working.

The doors opened as they both entered. The man soon lifted his phone to his face to answer a call.

"Yeah, what do you want?"

…

"I am not moving my meeting, and I am scheduled out to Christmas with clients, Joshua."

…

"No, he can either join the luncheon with Tom Write or get scheduled out."

Julia knew that name; an entrepreneur had recently invested in a 'smart roads' project that would dedicate a single lane to smart cars, allowing them to travel hands-free on the highways and block surrounding traffic.

"Yeah, yeah. Just send him the details."

He hung up his phone and locked eyes with Julia. His face was an emotionless mask as he looked her over.

She didn't say anything, only looked away from him. Her own demeanor was cold.

Her neighbor did the same, and they stood there watching the numbers lower to ground level. Once the doors opened, they bumped into each other as they attempted to exit simultaneously.

"Excuse me," Julia said, backing from the exit to allow him to leave.

He reluctantly stepped through the door, turning back to her only for a moment to whisper. "I can still smell your night on you." His words caused her to still, and the elevator door closed, removing him from view.

She should have accepted the offer of the shower.

***

Flustered, Julia rushed into a large skyscraper with the words RAMSEY TECH displayed over the glass.

The inside of the building was plain, with agreeable gray walls and polished concrete floors. A large desk sat at the center, along with check-in halls and a large elevator at its center. The space was more than what was necessary for what it held.

"Good morning." Said the security at the counter. "How can I help you?"

"I am a new hire. Julia Wilde"

The man nodded. He was older, Grey speckled his black beard, and his head was bald, shining against the harsh daylight bulbs above him. He nodded, motioning to a couch by the window before speaking into a walkie on his shoulder.

She sat down on the couch, staring out the window. A small café sat across the street. It appeared small and quaint—a stop she would make before heading home.

"Miss Wilde." Said an older gentleman with a large smile.

He was athletic for his age but dressed in a suit that fit him precisely. The shine in his shoes and clean appearance made him appearance impeccable compared to the others coming and going from the building.

"Dr. Ramsley!" Julia voiced excitedly as she stood to meet him, hand out in a gesture to shake.

He took her hand, placing his other hand respectfully on her shoulder. "Please, call me Matthew!"

Julia nodded to him as they finally dropped hands, and he motioned her to follow him.

"I am so glad to have you on the team. I saw your portfolio, and your work was quite impressive." He smiled. "In fact, you are the talk of the office this morning. The design team can not wait to meet you."

"I am excited to be here." She said as they stepped inside the elevator with him. "This is a new road for me, but I am ready to show what I can do."

Matthew laughed. "That is what I like to hear, Julia!" He reached into his pocket, pulling out a retractable lanyard with a white key card attached. "Here." He said, handing it off to her. "This will give you access to your new office and the levels below. Let me know if you need anything, okay?"

Julia took it, clipping it to her bag with a nod. "Of course." She smiled.

"It was truly a pleasure to put a face to the name." He said to her as the elevator opened. "This is your stop. Impress the team, and we will meet again very soon, Miss Wilde."

Nodding him, she stepped off to a large multicolored space that resembled an art room more than an office floor. The communal room was covered in odd designs and shapes. It was vibrant and inviting, with several break-off areas covered in fogged glass that signified the separate office spaces.

A group of people were gathered at the door to what appeared to be her office.

They were placing a banner that said:

*Welcome to the team, Julia*

Julia laughed. "How inviting."

The group appeared caught off guard by her remark as someone in the back released a shot of confetti too early, causing the individual on the stepstool to fall back and the banner to land on top of them.

"Julia?" Said a man in disappointment as he moved around the group, adjusting his bowtie.

He was bald, with round glasses that framed his blue eyes.

She nodded to them.

"Awe, man! I didn't even get to do my confetti," said another man, sadly holding the banner in his arms.

He was younger with a freckled face and curly red hair.

The woman who fell from the stool came from around to greet her. "Welcome to the team!" She said excitedly as she took Julia's hand to shake it. "Anais." She said, introducing herself. "That's Barry," she motioned to the bald man. "Peter," she said, gesturing to the freckled young man. "Then Joe and Clara."

A man and woman waved behind her as they attempted to fix the banner.

"It is nice to meet you all," Julia said as she walked over to where the banner was. "I appreciate the work you all put into this."

"We were hoping to make you feel more welcome." Said Joe.

"I think we did great. It was an honest introduction to our chaos." Clara grinned as she opened the door to Julia's office. "We were told to let you settle before pulling you in on everything, but I left a portfolio on your desk for our current project. Our first meeting will be on Wednesday. Spend today getting a feel for the space and setting up."

"Tomorrow, make sure to review the information on the client. We will meet Wednesday and expect to hear your ideas." Said Barry as he left the group to his own office.

Julia walked into the room to a standing desk that was in the center, a glass table, and shelves lined the wall. A projector screen was on the side of the wall behind the desk for presentation. Its Screensaver displayed the company name as It bounced around the screen.

The team separated after that, leaving her to get adjusted to her new place. A present sat at her desk with the company pens, mugs, notebooks, and other miscellaneous items.

Cute.