Chapter 126 The Grind and the mentor
When Anabelle got out of the taxi the city was already awake. The air smelled like coffee and automobile smoke and the morning sun shone dimly between tall glass buildings.
With her laptop bag in hand she rushed to the office doors. The elevator inside dinged softly and she pushed the twelfth floor button.
She had weary eyes and resolute lips when she reflected in the metal doors. She sighed softly and brushed a flyaway hair out of her face.
The office greeted her with the low chatter of voices and the hum of computers as the doors opened.
The central air conditioning made the air feel cool and the large windows let in golden light.
“Good morning, Anabelle,” a colleague called.
“Good morning Leo.” She replied
Smiling, she set her bag down and walked to her desk. A steaming mug of coffee papers and sticky notes were waiting for her.
She took a seat, turned on her laptop and started typing. Her fingers were moving quickly as her eyes scanned the screens data.
She was working on a big marketing project for a new client. She still needed to edit pages for the presentation which was due in two days.
She was working when she heard a voice she recognized behind her.
“You’re early”
Anabelle smiled as she turned.
“Good morning Jude” she said.
Her boss was standing there tall, composed and well-groomed in a gray suit.
His piercing gaze grew softer as he met her gaze.
“Good morning.” He said “You have been working a lot.”
“All I want is for this project to be flawless” she stated.
“It will be,” he said, “Because you're in the lead.”
She chuckled softly.
“Then no pressure” she stated.
“Pressure is good.It forms diamonds.” He said
His smile said it all.
“Anabelle,” he said, “You've been doing so well in the past month.”
She blinked, taken aback by what he said. “Thank you” she uttered quietly.
He nodded.
“In ten minutes stop by my office” he said. “Your draft will be examined”
“I'll be there.” She said
A tiny smile tugged at her lips as she looked at her screen once more after he had gone.
She knocked on his door ten minutes later.
“Come in,”he said.
She went inside. With a framed photo of the company team on the wall, big bookshelves and a plant in the corner, his office was airy and spotless.
With his glasses resting on his nose Jude sat behind his desk and went over a report.
“Sit,” he said.
With her notes in hand she sat down opposite him.
“Show me what you have,” he said.
In his direction she slid the folder. “This is the updated proposal.”
After opening it he started reading. As he turned the pages his brows raised a little. Eventually he raised his head.
“This is good,” he declared.
“Good?” she inquired.
“Very good.” He added “You’ve added more compelling points to the analysis and enhanced the layout.”
“I made an effort to make it more convincing.” She said
“You did. But it is possible to sharpen it. Take a look at this section.”He indicated a paragraph.
She leaned closer to see.
“You mean this?” she asked.
“Yes,” he said. “Don’t say ‘we hope to.’Say ‘we will. ’ Clients believe in certainty.”
She nodded quickly.
“Got it,” she said.
He smiled faintly.
“You’re learning fast,” he said.
“I have a good teacher,” she said.
“Flattery” he said with a grin. “It works sometimes.”
She laughed softly. “Only when it’s true” she said.
He looked at her for a moment then nodded.
“You’ve got potential Anabelle,” he said. “Don’t doubt it.”
“I try not to,” she said.
“Try harder,” he said. “The industry can be brutal. You need to believe in yourself before anyone else does.”
She sat straighter.
“I understand,” she said.
“Good,” he said. “Now let’s tighten the visuals for your slides. Bring them tomorrow morning. We’ll go over them again.”
“I will,” she said.
“Go get some lunch too,” he said. “You’ve been skipping meals again.”
She smiled sheepishly.
“Maybe” she said.
“Not maybe,” he said. “Definitely. Don’t make me send Leo to drag you out.”
She laughed.
“All right boss,” she said.
“That’s better,” he said.
She stood and gathered her notes. “Thanks for the feedback,” she said.
“Always,” he said.
She returned to her desk and worked through the day. The office buzzed around her—phones ringing, people laughing softly, keyboards clattering.
It was busy but alive. Hours passed and soon most employees began leaving. The lights dimmed a little and the sky outside turned orange.
When the office was nearly empty Jude walked out of his office and saw her still typing.
“You’re still here,” he said.
“Almost done,” she said.
He walked over and leaned on her desk. “You remind me of myself years ago,” he said.
“Workaholic?” she asked.
“Driven,” he said. She smiled.
“I’ll take that,” she said.
“You should,” he said. “It’s a compliment. ”.
“Do you ever stop working?” she asked.
He laughed quietly.
“Not really,” he said. “But I learned balance. You will too.”
“I’m trying,” she said.
He nodded.
“Let me buy you dinner. You’ve earned it” he said.
She shook her head lightly.
“I can’t. I still have a few slides left” she said.
He smiled. “Then I’ll bring dinner here”
“You don’t have to,” she said.
“I want to,” he said. “It’s part of my mentorship duties.”
She laughed softly. “If you insist”
“I do,” he said.
He left and returned twenty minutes later with two takeout boxes. They sat by the big window watching the city lights flicker outside.
“This is nice,” she said.
“Better than eating alone,” he said.
“Do you always eat at the office?” she asked.
“Most nights” he said. “But it’s not as bad as it sounds.”
She smiled. “You really love your work,” she said.
“I do,” he said. “It gives me purpose.”
“I feel that too,” she said.
He nodded. “That’s how you know you’re in the right place,” he said.
They ate quietly for a moment. The city below buzzed with cars and voices.
“You’ve come a long way since your first day here” he said.
She looked at him
“I knew you’d be good though,” he said.
“You did?” she asked.
“Yes,” he said. “You had that look—the one people get when they’re about to prove themselves.”
She smiled. “I guess I’m still proving myself,” she said.
“You’re doing it well,” he said.
“Thanks for your guidance,” she said.
“Guidance is nothing without effort,” he said. “You did the work.”
She smiled
He got up slowly and grabbed his car keys then turned to look at her.
“Also remember why I brought you to work for me, Anabelle. Once you're successful as planned, you'll help me bring down Victoria.” He said.
Anabelle looked up at him, not sure whether to nod or not.
She managed a faint smile.“Yes. How can I forget?”