Anastasia
The office had taken on a heavy silence after five straight days of relentless work. My own body felt like it had been wrung dry and left in the sun. I couldn't remember the last time I had slept for more than four hours, and judging from the hollow-eyed looks of my colleagues, neither could they.
Just as I was reviewing the final metrics one more time, a polite knock sounded at the frame of our department's glass door. I looked up, surprised to see one of the HR assistants, a woman named Lydia, who looked as if she'd run here. Her cheeks were flushed, but her smile was deliberate.
"Good evening," she said, her voice carrying into the room, "I have an announcement from Mr. Wilson."
That immediately caught everyone's attention. Mr. Wilson, as in Theo, the CEO's right hand and head assistant, rarely communicated directly with departments, let alone through HR. Everyone straightened in their chairs, fatigue momentarily forgotten.
"Mr. Wilson has instructed HR to inform all departments, but due to how tight the schedule is, our lead couldn't spare minutes to post on the internal newsletter. This was the easy way, I hope you understand." Lydia continued, "The CEO has scheduled the final presentations for this Saturday. Each team will have the opportunity to present their work, and until then, you are all advised to go home and rest tonight. Tomorrow morning, teams can reconvene to polish up the remaining details, but the priority is rest. That's a direct order."
A collective sigh of relief swept the room like a breeze breaking through suffocating heat. I could almost hear my shoulders unclenching.
"Did she just say rest?" one of my team members, Elena, whispered incredulously.
"Yes, you heard right," I said, pushing back my chair. For the first time all week, the stiffness in my neck didn't feel unbearable. "Gather your things, everyone. We'll regroup in the morning to tie up loose ends. Tonight, go home, eat something warm, and actually sleep."
Laughter bubbled across the room, tentative at first, then genuine. It was the kind of laughter that only came after days of pressure, thin, weary, but grateful.
"I can't believe it," James muttered as he shoved his files into his bag. "The CEO isn't heartless after all."
I allowed myself a smile, though inwardly I still wondered. The CEO was known for his ruthless standards, for the icy mask that never cracked, not even in victory. This sudden gesture of humanity left me suspicious. Was it genuine, or was it merely a strategy?
Oh, come on, girl, don't think too much. I said to myself.
As the teams filtered out in small groups, still buzzing with a mix of disbelief and excitement at the idea of rest, I lingered behind to double-check tomorrow's agenda. The weight of leadership pressed harder on me than I'd expected when I first took this role. Every detail mattered, every decision reflected on me. Still, for the first time in days, I allowed myself to imagine what my pillow would feel like tonight.
When I stepped into the lobby, the building was eerily quiet. The marble floors gleamed under the dim evening lights, reflecting my tired silhouette back at me. Security guards nodded as I passed, and the cool night air hit my face the moment the sliding doors opened.
I crossed the nearly empty parking lot, the click of my heels echoing in the stillness. Sliding into my car, I set my bag on the passenger seat and exhaled, long and heavy, as though I'd been holding my breath all week. Finally, a chance to breathe.
Just as I started the engine, my phone buzzed. The screen lit up with the Chief's name. My stomach dipped. The Chief never called me at this hour unless something was wrong.
I swiped to answer. "Good evening, Chief."
His voice was brisk, straight to the point. "Anastasia, we have a situation."
My fingers tightened around the steering wheel. "What happened?"
"The employee scheduled to represent our department at Saturday's CEO meeting was in a car accident an hour ago. He was speeding, his wife was giving birth, Nothing fatal, but he is in no condition to present."
My heart stuttered. "What? How is his wife? And the baby?"
"Good," he said.
"But the presentation!" I asked
"Exactly," he interrupted. "That's why I'm calling you. You'll take his place."
For a moment, I couldn't find words. The hum of the car's engine filled the silence, underscoring the rapid beat of my pulse. "Me? ME? Chief, there must be someone else more…"
"Qualified?" he cut in. "I have known you since I recruited you, all these years you've worked side by side with the team. You know the data, the projections, the entire pitch. There is no one else more qualified. And frankly, this could be the opportunity you've been waiting for. Consider it a chance to prove yourself, and possibly secure a promotion."
The words hit me like a thunderclap. Promotion. Opportunity. Prove yourself. They sounded tempting, but they also felt like chains tightening around my chest. Presenting directly to the CEO was every employee's dream and nightmare rolled into one. He is that intimidating.
I swallowed hard. "Chief, I.."
"No arguments, Anastasia," he said firmly. "This is non-negotiable. You wanted a chance to show what you can do? This is it. Prepare well. Don't disappoint me or the department."
The line went dead before I could protest further.
I sat frozen, the phone still pressed against my ear. The night outside seemed darker now, pressing in on the glass of my car. The relief I'd felt only minutes ago had vanished, replaced by a storm of nerves, doubt, and something else I couldn't quite name.
Me. Presenting to the CEO.
Shock rolled through me in waves, and for the first time in a long time, I wasn't sure whether to be terrified or exhilarated.
I am doomed.