Chapter 5 Chapter 5
Chapter 5
She buttoned the last button on her blouse. She felt smart and confident.
She sprayed some cologne, brushed her hair neatly, and smiled at her reflection.
“I look beautiful,” she said softly, tilting her head a little.
Sometimes she caught herself staring at the mirror longer than she should, almost fascinated by her own face. Maybe it was because she still wasn’t used to it — or maybe she just couldn’t believe this was really her.
She picked her bag and walked out of the room. The morning sun fell gently over the small garden outside. Ariana was watering the flowers when she saw her.
“You wouldn’t wait for breakfast?” Ariana asked, setting the watering can aside.
Celine shook her head. “No, Ariana, I’m okay. I’m too excited to eat.”
“At least take a sandwich—”
“I’ll get something on the way,” Celine said quickly, smiling.
Ariana frowned slightly. “You sure you don’t want me to drop you off? It feels wrong letting you go out alone after everything.”
Celine smiled again. “You don’t have to worry. I remember the address vividly, and I researched more about Castellan Enterprise last night. I’ll be fine.”
Ariana sighed, wiping her hands with a small towel. “Alright. But still, be careful. Monterey is a big city.”
“I will,” Celine said. She turned around once more, holding her arms out. “How do I look in these jeans and sleeves?”
Ariana smiled proudly. “You look like one of the staff of Castellan Enterprise already.”
Celine laughed. “That’s the plan.”
They both laughed together for a moment before Ariana walked her to the gate.
“Call me when you get there,” Ariana said, watching her go.
“I will,” Celine said, waving before turning down the street.
\---
She walked down the alley, her heart thumping fast. Everything about today felt new — the air, the street, the rush of people passing by. She stopped a cab and waved.
“Castellan Enterprise, downtown Monterey,” she said.
The driver nodded, and she got in. She sat by the window, watching the city move. Students in uniforms, people holding coffee cups, some in suits hurrying down the sidewalks — everything looked alive.
She smiled quietly. She liked it here. She didn’t know where she came from, but this place made her feel like maybe she could start over.
It took about fifteen minutes before they stopped in front of the building.
Her eyes widened as she stepped out.
“Wow,” she whispered.
It looked even better in real life — the tall glass building, the moving doors, the people in neat suits walking in and out with confidence. The name Castellan Enterprise stood boldly above the entrance in silver letters.
For a moment, she just stood there, staring at it.
She took a deep breath, adjusted her blouse, and walked forward.
\---
Inside, the front desk was busy. The air smelled faintly of coffee and perfume. A young receptionist with short brown hair looked up and smiled politely.
“Good morning. How may I help you?”
“Good morning,” Celine said nervously. “I came for the job opening. The one on the poster outside.”
The receptionist nodded. “Please fill this form,” she said, handing her a clipboard and pen.
Celine thanked her and stepped aside to write. Her handwriting looked shaky at first. She paused when it got to the line that said Previous Experience.
Her heart skipped. She didn’t have any. Not that she remembered.
She left it blank.
After a while, she returned the clipboard.
“Thank you,” the receptionist said, scanning it. “You can go to the HR office on the second floor for a short interview.”
Celine nodded. “Thank you so much.”
She took the elevator. The ride was quiet. She looked at her reflection in the shiny walls and straightened her hair again.
When the door opened, she stepped out, holding her bag tightly.
She found the HR office and knocked gently.
“Come in,” a woman’s voice said.
Celine stepped in. A woman in her late thirties sat behind the desk, typing something. She looked up and smiled.
“Good morning. You’re here for the job opening?”
“Yes, ma’am,” Celine said quietly.
“Please, sit,” the woman said, glancing at her form. “Celine… that’s a lovely name.”
“Thank you,” she said with a small smile.
The woman studied her for a moment. “I see you didn’t fill in your experience or references.”
Celine swallowed. “Yes, ma’am. I’m new here. I just moved to Monterey recently. But I learn fast, and I can do anything. I promise I’ll work hard.”
The woman’s expression softened a little. “We do need front desk assistants and file clerks. It’s mostly sorting documents, answering calls, and helping with clients.”
“I can do that,” Celine said immediately.
“Alright,” the woman said. “You’ll start as a temporary staff for now. We’ll see how you perform in the first two weeks.”
Celine’s face brightened. “Thank you so much!”
The woman smiled faintly. “Report on Monday, 8 a.m. sharp. Ask for Ms. Grace at the reception. She’ll guide you.”
Celine nodded eagerly. “I won’t disappoint you.”
She stood, shook the woman’s hand gently, and left the office almost skipping.
\---
As she stepped outside, her heart was racing again. She did it. She really did it.
She got into the elevator smiling to herself. For the first time in a long time, she felt useful.
Downstairs, she walked past the lobby again, her eyes moving over the glass walls and shining floors.
She didn’t notice the tall man stepping out of the other elevator on the far side — Ethan Castellan, the man whose company she just joined.
He walked with his usual calm confidence, a cup of coffee in hand, his assistant following closely behind, reading out his morning schedule.
He didn’t see her. She didn’t see him.
Their paths crossed for a second — just two strangers in the same building.
\---
Outside, she took a deep breath, smiling up at the sky.
She brought out her phone and called Ariana.
“It went well,” she said excitedly. “They said I can start Monday!”
Ariana gasped happily over the phone. “That’s amazing! I’m so proud of you, Celine.”
Celine laughed softly. “Thank you for believing in me.”
“You deserve it, sweetheart. We’ll celebrate tonight.”
“Okay!”
She ended the call and held her phone to her chest for a moment.
She looked up again at the tall building — Castellan Enterprise.
Somewhere inside that bu
ilding, her new life was waiting.
She didn’t know what kind of people she’d meet or what stories hid behind those glass walls. She just knew one thing — she was ready.
She smiled faintly and whispered, “I’ll make it.”
Then she turned around, crossed the street, and kept walking.