So You Are Our New Colleague

Mandy didn't leave that night. We slept in the same bed as we had when we were little and talked all night until dawn.

The next day was the day I would report to work. Although I was sleepy, I still got up early to prepare for my report day.

I took a shower first, then put on some light makeup and rolled my hair up a little to increase the curls. I choose a simple white tank top dress with big pink and yellow flowers on it. It was a sleeveless dress that reached just above my knees. I put on earrings and white sandals. I stared at myself in the mirror. What I saw was a woman, not a girl.

After breakfast, I said goodbye to Millie, Mom, and Mandy, who stayed for breakfast. I called a car and reported to FB. I was looking forward to my new job. I hoped to impress my new colleagues.

FB building's looked so grand! I didn't have time to count the floors. I didn't want to be late for my first day. I got out of the car and went to the elevator. Suddenly, a familiar figure appeared.

Oh my God, I didn't want to see him at such a critical moment today!

Melanda, you have to calm down. He didn't even notice you. Look elsewhere. He's on the phone. Just pretend you didn't see him.

Please, God, you must hear me. Just this once. Please don't let him see me. I'll go to church more often. Please!

God must be joking with me! Because the moment I wanted to look away, Mike looked up and our eyes met! Mike was beyond shocked. He was completely stunned.

He stared at me intently. I felt like I was frozen in place. I wanted to look away, but I couldn't.

Seeing Mike again six years later made me swoon. More importantly, I was extremely nervous. As Mike walked toward me, I had the urge to run, but the reality was that I stayed where I was, like a deer caught in headlights. I didn't move.

"Melanda, is that you? I know it must be you. God, it's so good to see you again! Thank God!" Mike murmured.

"Hi, Mike. I'm glad too. How are you?" I said each word with difficulty, and my mouth suddenly felt dry.

At that moment, the elevator arrived. As if I had been granted amnesty, I quickly took the lead and escaped into the elevator. Mike came in, of course. Yes, he was waiting for the elevator, too.

"Which floor are you going to?"

"Which floor are you going to?"

We both asked.

"Eighth floor."

"Eighth floor."

At the same time again. This damn chemistry! God, I felt my face heat up. I knew without looking that I was going to blush. 'You're so useless, Melanda. You're already 24 years old. Why are you still acting like a high school student?' I wondered.

"Melanda, I haven't asked you why you're at FB. Are you here for someone?"

"No, I got an FB acceptance letter. It's my reporting day."

"Oh, is that true? That's great. Congratulations, this has always been your dream! Baby, I knew you could do it!"

Oh my God, he actually called me "baby"! Did I hear wrongly?! I felt my face heat up even more!

"By the way, are you going to the design department to report to the eighth floor?"

"Yes, it's the design department. The position I got is that of a senior designer."

"Thank God! That's great! Welcome, Melanda. I forgot to introduce myself. I'm the design department's director."

My eyes widened as I stared at him in disbelief. God! God had pulled a huge joke on me! The person I spent six years avoiding had become my new colleague, my new boss! Was this God's test? I really wanted to cry. I didn't expect my new life to start like this.

"That's great." I tried to smile. My jaw felt so stiff that it hurted.

I couldn't remember much of what happened after that day. This sudden "surprise" stunned me completely. After finishing the HR procedures, Mike offered to take me home. I couldn't postpone it and had to listen to his arrangement.