She was breathtaking. And tall. Maybe 5'8", with perfect posture that made her seem even taller. Her dark hair fell in glossy waves past her shoulders.
Her features were delicate but striking. High cheekbones, full lips, and clear intelligent eyes.
She wore a cream colored suit that fit like it had been custom made, paired with subtle gold jewelry.
She looked like she had stepped out of a magazine spread titled "Women Who Run the World."
"Ms. Zhang."
I extended my hand, hoping she couldn't feel how clammy my palm was. "It's an honor to meet you."
Her handshake was firm, her smile polite but reserved.
"Welcome to Tan Industries. I've heard good things about you from Daniel."
Daniel. Not Mr. Tan.
The casual use of his first name sent a strange flutter through my chest.
"Thank you. I'm excited to be here."
"I'm sure you are."
Her eyes swept over me, she was assessing me, and calculating.
"Shall we talk in my office?"
"Of course."
I followed her through the open workspace. Employees glanced up as we passed, their gazes tracking us with curiosity.
Vivian's office was in the corner, its glass walls on two sides offering a panoramic view of the city. Inside, everything was pristine. Minimalist desk, sleek furniture. Not a single paper out of place.
She gestured to a chair across from her desk. "Please, sit."
I sat, crossing my angles and folding my hands in my lap.
Vivian settled into her chair with the grace of someone who never had an awkward moment in her life. She picked up a tablet and swiped through something.
"Your resume is impressive," she said without looking up. "Top of your class. Excellent work history at Jensen & Partners. Daniel seems to think you have untapped potential."
"I hope to prove him right."
"I'm sure you will."
She finally looked up, her gaze directed at my eyes.
"But let me be clear about something, Ms. Chen. This department operates at a very high standard. We don't tolerate mediocrity. If you're here, it's because we expect excellence. Understood?"
Her tone wasn't unkind, but it wasn't warm either.
It was a warning.
"Understood," I said, meeting her eyes.
"Good." She set the tablet down.
"Your first project will be analyzing our Southeast Asian investment portfolio. Specifically, our real estate holdings in Singapore and Malaysia. You'll report directly to me. I expect weekly updates, thorough documentation, and actionable insights. Can you handle that?"
"Yes."
"Excellent." She stood, and I quickly followed suit.
"Kevin will show you to your office and get you set up with everything you need. We have a team meeting at 2 PM. I'll expect you there."
"Of course. Thank you, Ms. Zhang."
She walked me to the door, her heels clicking precisely against the floor.
As I stepped out, she added, "One more thing, Ms. Chen."
I turned back.
Her expression was unreadable. "Daniel values you. That speaks volume. Don't disappoint him."
Before I could respond, she closed the door.
*******
Kevin appeared moments later with my coffee. "Ready for the grand tour?"
"Absolutely."
He led me down a hallway, chattering cheerfully. "You're lucky. Ms. Zhang doesn't usually take on new analysts directly. She must really think you're talented."
"I hope so."
"Oh, trust me. If she didn't, you wouldn't be here."
He stopped at a door and opened it with a flourish. "And here's your office!"
I stepped inside and froze.
It wasn't huge, but it was mine. A real office with walls and a door. A desk positioned in front of a window that overlooked the city. A bookshelf. And a small couch in the corner.
My own space.
"This is…"
I couldn't finish the sentence.
"Pretty great, right?' Kevin grinned. "Your computer is already set up. Password is on that sticky note. I'll send you the meeting invite for this afternoon. If you need anything, just message me."
"Thank you, Kevin."
He left, closing the door behind him.
I stood in the middle of my new office, staring at the view.
Three days ago, I'd been in a cubicle, surrounded by fabric walls and fluorescent lights.
Now I was here.
My phone buzzed again.
Daniel Tan: How's your first day?
I smiled.
Me: Surreal. I have an office. With a door.
Daniel Tan: Told you. You deserve better.
Me: I met Vivian. She's… intimidating.
Daniel Tan: She's brilliant. You'll learn a lot from her.
Me: She told me not to disappoint you.
Three dots appeared. Disappeared. Appeared again.
Daniel Tan: You won't.
The confidence in those two words sent warmth through my chests.
Me: How do you know?
Daniel Tan: Because I don't make mistakes about people. And you, Lulu Chen, are not a mistake.
I stared at the message, my heart doing that stupid fluttering thing again.
This was my boss. My employer. Nothing more.
So why did his words feel like so much more than professional encouragement?
I set the phone down and turned to my computer.
'Focus. Work. Prove you belong here.'
But as I logged in and started reviewing the files Kevin had sent, one thought kept circling back.
Vivian has said Daniel valued me.
What did that mean?
*******
The Southeast Asian portfolio was massive.
I spent the entire morning drowning in spreadsheets, property valuations, market analyses, and investment projections.
Singapore alone had twelve major holdings—luxury condos, commercial buildings, and a hotel chain acquisition that was still pending regulatory approval.
It was complex and challenging. Exactly the kind of work I had been craving.
By noon, my eyes were burning from staring at numbers, but I had made progress. I had identified three properties with concerning cash flow patterns and flagged them for deeper analysis.
A knock on my glass door made me look up.
Vivian stood there, perfectly composed, holding a tablet. "May I?"
"Of course." I straightened in my chair.
She entered and closed the door behind her, a gesture that felt significant. Private.
"I wanted to check your progress."
She perched on the edge of my desk, crossing her legs elegantly. The movement was casual, but there was something calculated about it. "How are you finding the portfolio?"
"Comprehensive. There's a lot to unpack, but I've started identifying some areas of concern."
"Such as?"
I pulled up my notes. "Three properties in Singapore show declining occupancy rates over the past six months. The revenue projections don't match the actual performance. I want to dig deeper into the management contracts and local market conditions."
Vivian's expression didn't change, but something flickered in her eyes.
"Good catch," she said. "Those properties have been… problematic. Daniel will be pleased you spotted that so quickly."
There it was again. Daniel.
"I'm just doing my job," I said.
"And doing it well."
She tilted her head, studying me with those sharp and beau
tiful eyes. "Tell me, Lulu—may I call you Lulu?"
"Of course.
"Tell me, how did you end up here? Daniel doesn't usually involve himself in hiring analysts. You must have made quite an impression."