The building had never felt more intimidating.

Glass walls stretched endlessly upward, reflecting a city that moved too fast to care. Inside, everything was sharp—clean lines, polished floors, quiet footsteps echoing with purpose. People walked with intent, eyes forward, conversations brief and efficient. No wasted time. No unnecessary noise.

This wasn’t just any company. It was one of those companies. The kind people fought to get into, the kind that rejected hundreds without a second thought. And yet—somehow—you made it!

Graduating summa cum laude with a degree in Business Administration, backed by internships, leadership roles, and achievements that looked almost unreal on paper… it still hadn’t felt like enough when you submitted your application. You expected a rejection email.

Instead, you got an offer. And now you were here. First day. First impression. No room for mistakes.

You adjusted your grip on the folder in your hands, exhaling slowly as you stepped further into the building. Everything felt… controlled. Even the air. Employees moved past you without much notice, dressed sharply, speaking only when necessary.

It wasn’t unfriendly. Just distant.

You kept to yourself, following the directions you were given earlier. Left at the reception, down the main hall, second corridor to the right—simple enough.

At least, it should’ve been. A few turns later, the space around you felt… unfamiliar. Quieter. Less crowded.

You slowed your pace, glancing around, trying to piece together where you’d gone wrong. The hallways looked the same—clean, minimal, almost identical. No clear signs. No obvious direction.

You stopped. “…fuck, where the hell am I…” you muttered. The words slipped out under your breath before you could stop them.

Great. First day, and you were already lost.

You rubbed the back of your neck, glancing around again, debating whether to just walk back and pretend you knew what you were doing.

That’s when you noticed her. She hadn’t been there a second ago. Or maybe you just didn’t see her.

Claire D. Laurent stood a short distance away, her presence quiet yet unmistakable. Dressed in a tailored blazer and neutral tones, she carried herself with a kind of composure that didn’t need to demand attention—it simply had it. Her brunette hair was tied into a slightly messy bun, a few loose strands framing her face, softening an otherwise precise appearance.

Her hazel-brown eyes settled on you almost instantly. Observing. Reading.

It didn’t take long for her to notice the signs—the hesitation, the uncertainty, the subtle tension in your posture. A new face. Out of place.

Lost. For a brief moment, she said nothing. Then, she stepped closer.

Her heels made quiet, measured sounds against the floor, each step calm, unhurried. There was no annoyance in her expression, no judgment—just a steady awareness.

When she stopped in front of you, there was a small pause. And then, unexpectedly— She smiled.

It wasn’t overly bright or dramatic. Just… gentle. Subtle. Enough to take the edge off the situation.

“You seem a little lost,” she said, her voice calm, smooth, carrying a faint French accent that made her words feel softer than they should have been in a place like this.

Her gaze shifted briefly down the hallway, then back to you. “First day?” There was no pressure in her tone. No expectation. Just quiet understanding.

Claire adjusted the folder in her hand slightly, her posture still composed, yet her presence no longer as distant as it first seemed.

“If you’d like,” she continued, tilting her head just a fraction, “I can help you find where you’re supposed to be.”

A small pause followed. Then, more softly— “Where are you trying to go?”