The new employee induction programme began promptly at 12:30 p.m.
I took a seat in the middle row, close enough to the stage without being too close.
Yet even after settling into my chair, I couldn’t shake off the strange encounter I had just witnessed.
My thoughts kept drifting back to that man’s smirk.
How infuriating.
Who had the audacity to smirk like that after getting slapped across the face?
Whatever their argument had been about, he definitely deserved it.
I shook my head, trying to push the incident out of my mind.
Not my problem.
Just as I finally managed to focus on the stage, the speaker stepped up to the podium and began speaking, pulling my attention away from the mysterious man on the staircase.
“Good afternoon, everyone, and a very warm welcome to Westbridge Corporation.
It is my pleasure to welcome all of you to our New Employee Induction Programme.
Today marks the beginning of a new journey, and we’re delighted to have you join our team.
Starting a new job can be both exciting and overwhelming, with new faces, responsibilities, and challenges, but it also brings countless opportunities to learn, grow, and make your mark.
Today’s programme is designed to introduce you to our company, its culture, values, and the people you’ll be working alongside.
We hope that by the end of this session, you’ll feel more comfortable and confident as you begin your journey with us.
Once again, welcome to Westbridge Corporation.
We’re excited to have you here, and we hope this will be the beginning of a rewarding and successful chapter in your career.
With that, let us officially begin today’s induction programme.” One by one, each department took the stage, introducing themselves and giving us a brief insight into their roles and responsibilities through carefully prepared presentations.
I listened quietly, trying to take in as much information as possible, until I suddenly saw two familiar faces walk onto the stage.
Paige and Alden.
They were representing the Corporate Communications Department.
A smile crept onto my face as I watched them confidently present their work.
I couldn’t help but feel a little proud of both of them.
As they stepped off the stage, I raised my thumb in their direction.
Paige immediately noticed me and grinned, while Alden waved enthusiastically back at me.
I smiled and settled back into my seat, feeling a little more at ease in the unfamiliar surroundings.
After all the departments had finished their presentations, a man who appeared to be in his fifties walked onto the stage.
He introduced himself before beginning a detailed explanation of the company’s rules and regulations.
He went over everything from working hours and workplace conduct to paid leaves, attendance policies, and other important guidelines we were expected to follow.
As he spoke, booklets were handed out to each of us, containing all the information he was explaining.
I flipped through mine, scanning the neatly printed pages while trying to absorb everything.
It was a lot to take in for my first day, but I supposed this was all part of becoming an employee at Westbridge.
“Wait, aren’t there twelve departments in total?
Only eleven have given their presentations,” I heard a girl say from the row behind me.
“Exactly,” the boy beside her replied.
“The Executive Strategy and Special Projects Unit didn’t present anything.” Another girl leaned closer to them, lowering her voice as if she were sharing a secret.
“It doesn’t matter.
That department is the most special—and mysterious—of them all.
They hardly ever take anyone into the department.
There are only four people working there.” “Only four?” the first girl asked, sounding surprised.
“Yeah.” The girl paused dramatically before adding, “And I’ve heard they’re the heartthrobs of the entire company.” I couldn’t help but glance over my shoulder.
Four people?
Heartthrobs?
For some reason, my mind immediately went back to the man on the staircase and his infuriating smirk.
I quickly turned back around.
“Your official company identity badges will be distributed to you within your first week of employment.
Until then, you may use the name cards you received at the reception desk,” the host announced, pausing briefly as the room settled down.
“And now, we’ve finally reached the part everyone has been waiting for—the announcement of your assigned departments.” A murmur of excitement spread through the room as people straightened in their seats.
I instinctively tightened my grip on the name card resting in my lap, suddenly feeling nervous.
Names began to be called one after another, and I patiently waited for mine.
Around me, reactions varied—some candidates smiled brightly when they heard they had been assigned alongside their friends, while others looked disappointed or merely curious about where they had been placed.
Every time Paige’s department was mentioned, my heart skipped a beat, hoping my name would follow.
But it never did.
Twenty candidates had already been assigned, and still, my name hadn’t been called.
I began to wonder if there had been some mistake in my selection.
Then, finally, the host returned to the podium.
“The last candidate, Ms.
Meave Calloway, has been assigned as an intern to the Executive Strategy and Special Projects Unit.”