Page 17 of Tempted By Eden

Cora

The towering skyscraper loomsabove me, its glass exterior gleaming in the harsh morning sun. Though it’s barely nine, the heat is already oppressive, the kind that clings to your skin and makes the air feel thick and sticky. A bead of sweat trickles down between my shoulder blades.

My power outfit—a sleek black skirt, a cream blouse that feels a little too warm under the sun, and black stilettos that make my legs look longer but are already pinching at my toes—does little to ease the anxiety fluttering in my stomach. The butterflies have turned into a full-on swarm, their wings beating frantically as I stand at the entrance of the glass and steel monolith.

As I step through the revolving doors, the temperature drops and the rush of the city fades away. I’m greeted with crisp, cool air, muffled discussions, and the faint scent of expensive coffee drifting from a café tucked into the corner. This is where I’ll start fresh, where I’ll leave behind the past ten months and dive back into what I do best.

“Hi! I’m Cora. It’s my first day at Hayes & Hayward Media,” I tell the receptionist, handing over my ID. She offers a polite smile and checks her computer.

“Welcome, Cora. Here’s your security pass to access the lifts. Hayes & Hayward Media is on floors thirty and above. You’ll need to check in with Human Resources on level thirty first.”

“Thank you,” I reply, taking my ID and pass.

Exiting the lift on level thirty, I’m greeted by a man in a gray three-piece suit, complete with a chic pocket square.

Who wears a three-piece suit to work?

Then again, when he looks like that, who cares? Sandy blond hair, just long enough to run fingers through, frames blue eyes that sparkle with a mix of mischief and professionalism.

“Hey, Cora. I’m Nathan,” he says, flashing a smile that could charm the skin off a snake. His cheeky wink tells me he caught me checking him out, and a blush creeps up my neck. After Saturday night my libido is wide awake and not going back into hibernation anytime soon. “Tina, our head of HR, was supposed to meet you, but she’s out sick today. So, you’re stuck with me,” he says, framing his face with his hands in a playful gesture that nearly makes me laugh out loud.

“Pleasure to meet you,” I manage, doing my best to stifle an unprofessional giggle.

“I work in HR under Tina, so we’ll be seeing a lot of each other. Let me show you to your desk.”

I follow him through the office, taking in the surroundings. The floor is an open space with about twenty workstations. Light gray walls, charcoal carpet, and bright yellow couches create a surprisingly inviting atmosphere. It’s corporate, but it feels… comfortable.

“Everyone has their own desk; no more hot-desking since the pandemic,” Nathan says, rolling his eyes. “The open plan thing is supposed to encourage collaboration. Only department heads have offices.”

“And the big bosses?”

“James and Dameon? You won’t see them often, and that’s a good thing,” he says, widening his eyes. “The only time you’ll have to endure their presence is at the monthly town hall.”

“What’s that?”

“A company-wide meeting where one of the big bosses updates everyone. It’s supposed to foster unity or something, but it’s mostly a waste of time,” Nathan says. “Oh, and please—since you’re here to work on company culture, do us all a favor and change how new employees are introduced. It’s brutal.”

“That bad, huh?” I raise an eyebrow.

“You’ll find out in”—he checks his watch—“half an hour.”

We reach my workstation, and Nathan hands me a folder. “The login details and everything else you need are inside. Take your time getting settled in. I’ll be back for you before the town hall. My desk is just over there if you need anything.” He points to a spot a few desks down from mine.

“Thanks so much, Nathan. I really appreciate it.”

“Don’t thank me yet—I’m about to lead you to the slaughter in thirty minutes,” he quips.

I groan and mutter, “Gee, thanks,” under my breath as he walks away.

Nathan must have superhuman hearing because he throws his head back with a laugh and sings out, “You’re welcome!”

Sliding into my chair, I store my purse in the drawer then log into the computer. Looking around the office, I see people sipping coffee, typing, or chatting by the couches. Everyone seems relaxed, not stressed out or rushed like you’d expect on a Monday morning. It’s a far cry from the hostile work environment I anticipated. But there must be something going on beneath the surface. Especially if they needed to hire someone to improve company culture and perception. I make a mental note to pick Nathan’s brain about what’s really happening behind the scenes. He seems down-to-earth and genuine. I could use a friend to help navigate office politics.

A ping from my office messenger catches my attention.

Nathan

Ready to go, lamb chop? Town hall awaits. Meet you at the lifts in two mins.

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