We all sat around the dining table, finally settling down for dinner after what felt like an endless conversation with my sister and her boyfriend.
Yet, no matter how much they tried to explain themselves, I still couldn’t wrap my head around the fact that my sister had actually bribed the HR department to secure my internship.
I stared blankly at the chicken burger sitting in front of me.
Normally, it was one of my favorite comfort foods, but tonight even the smell failed to tempt me.
I picked it up, took a small bite, and immediately put it back down.
My appetite had completely disappeared.
“Are you sure you won’t get fired for bribing HR?” I asked after a moment of contemplation.
“I mean, what if he reports you?” Paige didn’t even look worried.
She calmly took another bite of her burger before wiping her fingers with a napkin.
“If he reports me, I’ll report him right back,” she said matter-of-factly.
“I’ll tell the company about all the other employees who managed to get themselves hired through connections and favors.” She shrugged, as if she had just presented the most obvious solution in the world.
“If he wants to drag me down, he’ll have to explain his own part in it first.” As soon as our conversation came to an abrupt pause, my phone pinged with a notification.
For a fleeting moment, I could only hope it wasn’t bad news.
I unlocked my phone and found a new email waiting in my inbox, the sender’s name immediately catching my attention: Westbridge Corporation.
My heart skipped a beat as I opened it, my eyes quickly scanning the first few lines before I began reading its contents.
Dear Ms.
Meave, We are pleased to inform you that you have been selected for the One-Year Undergraduate Internship Programme at westbridge corporation .Your department and reporting manager will be communicated to you upon completion of the onboarding process.….
Paige interrupted me with a smug little smile.
“I told you there was no way you wouldn’t get accepted.” Alden immediately chimed in, practically bouncing with excitement.
“Oh my God, Meave, congratulations!
We have to celebrate today!” I let out a heavy sigh, staring down at the email on my phone.
“I’ll pay you back once my salary comes in.” “If you’re so eager to pay me back, then why don’t you pay me back right now?” Paige shot back, throwing her hands up dramatically.
“Stupid girl, I did this for you.
You’re my precious little sister.
I’ll support you even if I have to go into debt for it!” “Paige—” “No, don’t ‘Paige’ me!” she interrupted, already getting carried away with her own speech.
“Do you think I’m going to sit around and watch my little sister struggle?
Absolutely not.
If I have to sell my soul to a loan company, I will!” Alden burst out laughing, while I could only shake my head at her dramatic display.
Despite everything—the uncertainty, the guilt, and the weight of what lay ahead—I couldn’t stop a small smile from creeping onto my face.
“The new employee induction programme is in three days,” Alden said excitedly, her eyes lighting up.
“Meave, you should look really good that day.
It’s your first official day at Westbridge Corporation!” “Absolutely!” Paige jumped in, already looking far too excited about the idea.
“I’m going to make you look like the most gorgeous woman there.
Every guy in that company will be turning their heads to look at you.” I rolled my eyes.
“Paige, please—” “No, I’m serious!” she insisted, grinning mischievously.
“This could finally be your chance to get yourself a boyfriend.” Alden laughed.
“She has a point.” “Whose side are you on?” I groaned, though I couldn’t help laughing along with them.
Paige merely shrugged, looking far too pleased with herself.
“I’m just saying, Meave.
New job, new people, new beginnings.
Maybe you’ll finally meet someone interesting.” I shook my head, trying to hide my smile.
“The only thing I’m interested in is keeping my job.” “Sure,” Paige teased.
“That’s what you say now.” ………………………………………………………………………………………..
The private conference room on the upper floor was rarely used by anyone outside the department.
Floor-to-ceiling windows overlooked the city, but the blinds had been drawn, leaving the room unusually quiet.
“Are you sure about this?” a man asked, his deep, quiet voice cutting through the silence.
“This decision could create quite a stir among the employees.” “This is what’s best for our department,” another man replied, his voice cold and unwavering, like stone.
For a moment, silence settled over the room.
Another man broke the silence, his confident voice carrying easily through the dimly lit room.
“I think this decision is perfect.
Having an extra pair of hands is always a good thing.
Besides, we all work overtime every day just to keep up with our workload.
Bringing in an intern could take some of the pressure off us and make things a little easier.” “The only person who seems unable to complete his work is you,” another man shot back, his tone openly challenging.
“No one else here has complained about the workload.
It’s just you.” The confident man’s expression hardened.
“Excuse me?” “You heard me.” “You seem to have a lot to say for someone who barely finishes his own work.” “At least I don’t waste half my time complaining about it.” “I don’t complain.
I point out problems.” “No, you complain.” “You really want to argue with me?” “You started it.” “And you’re making it worse.” Before the argument could escalate further, the cold-voiced man slammed his hand against the table.
“Enough.
If you two are finished behaving like children, can we get back to discussing the intern?” The room fell silent.
“Then perhaps,” the cold-voiced man said calmly, “we should see how useful this new addition actually turns out to be.” The others exchanged brief glances.
None of them knew that the decision they were discussing so casually would soon have consequences far beyond their department.