[9th floor]

The metallic door of elevator open elegantly with no one inside. Thankfully. It’s work hour now so it’s natural if there’s not many people using the elevator. I step into it carefully with the pages hugged tightly to my chest.

I bet it is an important document since the CEO wanted it immediately so I must protect this like my life depend on it.

[Please press the button]

Oh yeah. Silly me. I went and press the 30 floor. As it immediately goes up, my heart start thumping hard.

This is it. I’m finally going to the top floor of this building. Even if this only goes to the secretary, I’m still nervous because this is the closest contact with the founder itself in a month. I just hope this is the last.

The plan is to hand over this documents and go back down. As simple as that.

[30th floor]

I jolted a little at the sound as the door open, revealing a long hallway decorated with giant mirrors along the way.

I walk out right before it closes and caught myself checking out my surrounding. It’s so different from any floors that I’ve ever went to.

There’s not a single noise in here, even my footsteps is silent. It made me more nervous than before. Because this made me feel like far away from civilization kind of silence.

Luckily, this floor only have the CEO’s office and they said the secretary is only outside of it so it’s easy to find.

There’s a desk at the end of the hall with a lady sitting while focusing on her monitor. Gladly it’s a woman.

“G-Good evening, ma’am. I’m Cody Kian from Highden department. I was told to send this.” I said, ignoring my stutter while stretch out to her.

She flashes a smile and about to reach it before a stern, husky voice break the peace.

“Let him send it to me himself.”

I flinch at the sudden strong demanding sound. It’s the CEO calling from the intercom!

“Mr Kian, Mr Collen has requested you in his office along with the documents.”

“Me?” I said laced with pure panic. I thought he refer to other person. This is not going as I planned.

The secretary doesn’t say anything further. She brought me to a giant mahogany door with a gold ‘DEREK COLLEN’ name plate on it.

She flashes once again a smile but it felt different. It almost looks like sympathy.

I sigh before knock on it twice and open the door. Talk about aura, dude. This man is the creator. I can feel the temperature drop and atmosphere changes as soon as I open the door that separates us.

The man inside was focusing on some paper in hand and a pen on the other hand. When he saw me entering his office, he drop everything and put his elbow to the table, chin neatly place on top of his clutched hands.

He doesn’t say anything although I know he have more than something to say. Here goes nothing.

“Good evening, Mr Collen. I’m Cody Kian from Highden department.” I said, successful presenting a stable voice and without stuttering.

“Why?”

Okay, rude. “Oh, I’m here to send this documents that you needed from the department.” I stretch my arm toward him but he just stare at me with the same exact position. This is awkward.

“Hm, don’t you want it, sir?” I ask politely. Maybe he has slow reflex. Yeah, maybe.

By now, he shot a glare at me. If look can kill, I’ll probably dead with a huge hole on my head.

“Why now? Why did you send this now?”

“No, sir. I’m just a-”

“The report’s due was yesterday. You have the whole month to finish this report. Tara reminded all department two days before the deadline. You could at least boost up the last two days to make it. Your report here,” he point at a stack of papers with ‘Highden’ label on top.

“is incomplete. I’m guessing what you brought here is a last minute work.” he stare back at me, expressionless.

He’s been rambling everything that I don’t understand and I’m standing here like a statue. Wrong move, it’ll affect my whole department.

“Aren’t you going to defend yourself?”

I’m speechless. What am I going to say?

“I-I’m sorry, Mr Collen. I’m just an intern. Mrs Green asked for a favor so I-”

“How long have you been here?” he cut my word.

“It’s been a month, sir.”

“A month is enough time for you to adjust to our system and the real work surrounding. You should’ve known your department’s work. This place is not a playground by doing anyone’s favor. Start contributing something to this company.”

Ouch, that hurts so bad. I didn’t know what to say.

“Are you mute? Do you even know what Crowdest is about or what’s Highden’s work line?”

“I do, sir.” I said without thinking. This man is pissing me off. If only he’s not my boss, I’ll be playing this game like hell.

“Then tell me.”

“Highden department is in charge of your wine factory in South region. Analysis team will do a research upon the collected data in the form of statistics to identify their needs. The results will next handed to the Support team to determine solutions in order to stabilize the certain branch that may have concerning outcome.”

I swallow a lump of saliva down my throat. My confident ends there. That’s all I knew about my department actually.

“That’s all? That barely touches the surface of what Highden is.” he said, unimpressed.

I can’t fight him, not just because he’s my boss but because he’s not wrong. I agree that I knew so little about my workplace when I’ve already been here for a month yet I refuse to admit it out loud.

For now, let’s just play the innocent role and stay silent.

Mr Collen suddenly sigh, “I think Mr Coleman might have made a mistake taking you in.”

“It’s no-” I restrain myself from continuing those protest-filled words. It will be the end of my internship. My free hand form into a fist until my knuckles turning white. I’m so pissed.

“What? Are you saying I’m wrong?”

I shake my head. “No, sir.”

“So? What were you trying to say just now?”

“It is nothing, sir.”

After a few moment of silence between us, he lean onto the desk. “Then show me something you can do. Sell yourself.”

“W-What?” My mind is running wild.

“Sell yourself to me. Convince me that you’re worthy of this place among other people that are more capable in this industry.” he said while staring at me with indifferent expression.

“B-Because… I’m… hm.. I-I’m…”

He scoff, “Tsk, you can’t even do something that simple. Such a waste of my money investing people like you. Walked here preparing nothing. Acting like a kid and even look like one with that pink jacket.” he said without missing a beat.

“Excuse me, sir. You can judge my work quality or my lack of communication skills but you cannot use my outfit in this type of argument. It’s off limit.” Who the heck is he to talk about my suit.

“What do you mean outfit? You’re wearing children’s wardrobe to work. And it’s pink.”

I gasp, “It is a suit, Mr Collen. It’s not a jacket and so what if it’s pink?”

“It’s because you’re looking like a Jigglypuff right now.”

“What the fu-” Is he calling me fat? What is my weight have to do with anything?

“My advise is try to fill your empty brain with something. Maybe then your life will be less miserable here.” he said, smirking.

He’s having too much fun bullying me. I wish I can wipe that smug off his face. I feel my blood boiling in anger.

I glare at him and furrowed my eyebrow. I knew I can’t stay any longer here or else today will definitely be my last day. I’m reaching my boiling point.

“Thank you so much for your concern, Mr Collen. Here is the remaining document you requested from Highden.” I said, holding my voice so it doesn’t break out of frustration.

I carelessly put the papers that I have been holding since entering to somewhere on his desk, didn’t bother if it’s mixed up with others.

“I’ll be going now. Have a nice day.” I tried to give him a sincere smile but failed and it somehow turned into a mock.

Then quickly exit the room. Ignoring the worried glance from Tara, the CEO’s secretary and walk toward the elevator.

While in the elevator, I tried to think positive for everything he said but to no avail. Every word that escaped his mouth is toxic. I’ve only been there for maybe ten minutes max and I’m already dead by his poison.

“What’s up with pink? It’s not like it’s hot pink. It’s a soft pink suit. I’d rather wear colourful suit rather than boring navy and black ones.”

“He even called me fat.”

“ Jigglypuff, my ass.”

[9th floor]

I exit the elevator and go straight to the bathroom. Splashing some water on my face at the sink.

“Ugh! Fucking hell, he’s a mean boss. No wonder they send me.”

Luckily, there’s no one in here so I growled, punched the wall, splashing water and taking deep breaths a few times to let off some steam.

Now that I’ve come to my senses, I fix my suit and lanyard straight then straighten my posture.

“Be professional, Cody.”

Inhale, exhale the last time then walk out like nothing happened.