So this is the corporate world

"Ms. de Burge? I'm Ethan," he said with a polite, welcoming smile. "I'm here to assist you. Please, follow me."

"Thank you, Ethan," I replied, my voice betraying a hint of nervousness.

He led me through a series of offices. Despite the many people working, nobody seemed to pay us any mind. It was a world of focused efficiency.

Ethan gestured towards a room. "Please, make yourself comfortable in here. Would you like some organic coffee or tea? It's all available here. Ms. Kaminsky will join you shortly."

I nodded, grateful for the offer.

As Ethan closed the door behind me, I took a moment to soak in my surroundings. The room was elegantly furnished, yet it felt welcoming. I settled into a chair, my heart still racing with anticipation.

Settling into the plush chair in the room, I checked my comlink for any new messages. There was one from Castor, saying he had talked with Uncle Chen and wished me all the best for my meeting. He mentioned he'd be at the party tonight. Another message popped up from Tom at Megablock 4, expressing his excitement about being invited by Uncle Chen and adding that he understood why I hadn't asked him directly, attributing it to my shyness. I frowned at his message, finding his assumption a bit presumptuous.

As I was about to put my comlink away, the door behind me opened. I quickly stood up, remembering the corporate manners I had learned at the academy. Before me stood a woman, her presence commanding and her gaze piercing. She closed the door and introduced herself with a firm handshake. "Caroline Kaminsky," she said, examining me from head to toe.

I returned the handshake, feeling a bit intimidated. Caroline moved to the coffee machine, her eyes still on me. "It's an honor to be here," I managed to say, my voice betraying my nervousness.

Caroline laughed lightly, her tone slightly teasing. "Relax, I don't bite. Unless asked," she added with a wink that seemed a tad lewd. She prepared two cups of coffee and handed one to me, then sat down across the table. "Drink up, it'll help with the nerves," she advised.

Gratefully, I took a sip, careful not to burn my tongue. Caroline leaned back in her chair, her demeanor casual yet sharp.

"I must admit, I expected someone... different. Middle-aged, perhaps more... masculine. But you, Marlene, are a pleasant surprise," she said. "Your prototype didn't win the main prize for commercial reasons, but our Tech Department was quite taken with it."

A flicker of disappointment crossed my face, quickly replaced by a genuine smile. Caroline continued, "We don't usually do this, but we're willing to take a risk with you." Caroline's eyes appraised me with a mixture of curiosity and business-like sharpness. "Marlene, your prototype shows a raw but brilliant mind at work. We need that spark here, even if it means bending a few rules." Her smile was enigmatic, leaving me unsure of where I stood in this high-stakes game.

She laid out the contract terms. The pay was triple what I earned at FreshMart, around 2000 eurodollars. The benefits included healthcare, insurance, and a car for personal use. If after three months my work met their standards, my salary would rise to 5000 eurodollars with additional perks.

However, there was a catch. Joining TriColor Corp meant relinquishing the rights to my tech and inventions. It was a hard pill to swallow, but the opportunities it presented were too good to pass up. A wave of protectiveness over my work washed over me. These inventions weren't just circuits and codes; they were pieces of me. Yet, the lure of TriColor's resources and reach... Could I let go of my creation to chase a bigger dream?

I listened intently, weighing the pros and cons. Caroline's attitude was direct, sometimes even a bit too friendly in a way I couldn't quite place. Yet, the offer was more than I could have hoped for. It was a chance to step into a world I had only dreamed of, to make a mark in the field of technology. The decision was clear.

Caroline's offer hung heavy in the air. "You don't need to decide right now," she said, her gaze piercing. "We've done our research on you, Marlene. And remember, working with us means exclusive commitment. No side jobs. And if things go well, we'll relocate you to a safer neighborhood."

After the meeting, I felt a weight inside me. Caroline's words, 'exclusive commitment', echoed in my mind. I followed Ethan out, barely hearing his polite chatter. The corporate world was a game of chess, and I wondered if I was just another pawn.

As we reached the elevators, I was lost in thought, barely noticing the city's panorama this time. I knew my prototype worked - I was its best proof, I have it on me. But at what cost would success come?

Sighing, I muttered to myself, "So this is the corporate world, huh? Always a game, always a catch." Ethan, sensing my distraction, handed me his contact ID. "Think about it, Marlene. Let us know by tomorrow."

I took the ID, my mind a whirlwind of thoughts. As I stepped out of TriColor Corp, the city felt different.