Ambrose and Aura transitioned to the critical realm of sales and customer experience, often referred to as frontline revenue. They stood on the brink of the trade and supply chain, ready to make an impact.
Ambrose kicked things off with a strong introduction. The first department was the retail or sales department, home to the sales manager, interior design consultant, and sales associates. Their mission focused on revenue generation, managing showrooms, training the sales staff, and sealing the deals that drove the company forward.
Next up was the marketing department, composed of the marketing director and e-commerce specialist. This team was dedicated to enhancing brand awareness, managing all advertising efforts, and overseeing the operations of the online store with precision.
The third department was the service department, which included the center agent, reforms specialist, and warranty expert. Their focus was on retention and support, expertly handling post-sale inquiries and coordinating delivery issues to ensure customer satisfaction.
Last but not least was the support and facilities team, known as the essential ground staff. The first group was Human Resources, led by the HR manager and a dedicated recruiter.
The second group was IT and tech support, made up of the IT manager and systems analyst, working tirelessly to maintain the company's tech infrastructure.
There was also the delivery team, which included delivery drivers, furniture assemblers, and installers—vital in ensuring products reached customers on time.
And finally, the well-respected maintenance and janitorial team, consisting of the facilities manager and the cleaners, who kept the environment professional and welcoming.
Security was no afterthought either; the security officers and loss prevention agents ensured a safe and secure working environment.
"As my CEO, you command authority over all these departments and teams," Ambrose conveyed with confidence as they entered the elevator, ascending to the top floor.
"They look to you to guide the day's activities."
Upon arrival, Aura found herself in what would be her domain—her father's former office.
"Welcome, Mr. Zelda," greeted Quinn, Aura's personal assistant, stepping away from her desk to acknowledge them with poise.
"I believe you're familiar with Quinn," Ambrose noted as they paused in the assistant's office, the ante-room to the CEO's suite.
"Yes," Aura replied, recalling their distant connection through Alfred, the family butler, who had introduced them in her childhood. Now, they would be working side by side.
"Thank you, Mr. Zelda, for this opportunity," Quinn expressed appreciatively. After two years of job hunting, it was her cousin who had pointed her to the Zelda Company.
"Boss, I wish you all the best in your role here," Quinn said to Aura, using the familiar term she had heard throughout the company tour.
"No, no—let's stick to our usual formalities," Aura replied, waving her hands dismissively as she sought to maintain professionalism.
Ambrose interjected, "Regardless of how you two choose to address each other, remember to prioritize work first."
They pushed open the CEO's door, and Aura stood momentarily awestruck. Even though she had visited this office once or twice before, its beauty never failed to captivate her.
The space was a masterful statement of sophistication.
The first thing that struck her was the light: an entire wall of seamless reinforced glass offered a breathtaking panoramic view of the city skyline, where skyscrapers pierced the heavens like towering needles, and the river flowed through the urban landscape like a silver ribbon. Even on a grey day, the office radiated an ethereal glow, reflecting the vibrant world outside that she was now part of.
Her desk, an expansive slab of dark, flawless walnut, faced the cityscape rather than the wall, much like the prow of a ship. It was meticulously organized—a sleek, ultra-thin monitor, a precisely aligned stack of documents, and a vintage Montblanc pen resting purposefully on a leather blotter. There was no clutter, only stark efficiency, indicative of a mind laser-focused on strategic objectives.
The wall behind her desk was a deliberate choice as well, forgoing typical certificates and personal photos in favor of a striking piece of abstract art in cool blues and greys, representing both structure and fluidity, a silent nod to her refined aesthetic. Adjacent to her workspace was a discreet bar cabinet of ebonised wood, stocked with crystal decanters, ready for either a quiet celebration or a high-stakes negotiation.
Across from her desk, a dedicated seating area invited discussion rather than relaxation. Two low-slung armchairs in charcoal grey leather faced a low, glass-topped coffee table, upon which rested a robust, leather-bound book—whether a market report or an architectural compendium remained to be seen—but nothing else. Every item, from the ergonomically designed desk chair to the flush filing cabinets built into the walls, emphasized quality, purpose, and an almost brutalist functionality.
There were no unnecessary plants or cosy throws; the air was crisp, imbued with the scent of polished wood and a clean, metallic freshness.
This was an office that demanded respect—a space where ambition met opportunity.