1 1.

Maria

I woke up to the sound of my dreadful alarm...

Why do I keep it?

I have to work...

'Money does not grow on trees, Maria, you have to work for it to be with you ' I remember mother telling me this, I miss her, moving to Bangalore was the best decision I had ever made, my overprotective brother would disagree but I love my job and love this place, the climate, the place, the food and the people are amazing. Food part mostly, thinking about this is making me hungry.

'Ring...Ring'

I go towards the door to see who is the great person who has come to destroy my dreams of food. I stay on the fifth floor of this building, it's nice and cozy two bedroom apartment , I have made one room my design room. Living alone can be scary but this place was not, the Aunty and Uncle who stayed next door were really kind and helpful.

As I open the door I see Aunty outside with a big smile,

' Good morning Maria I am so sorry for distributing you this early, these are the keys to apartment 506 the owner will be shifting today, please give it to her in the evening. I have to take care of my pregnant daughter as she is admitted in the hospital so I will be leaving '

Saying this in a hurry she gave the keys and ran to the lift. I guess I'll meet the new neighbors in the evening.

*****

I reached the office on time. The fashion design department was on the second floor my assistant was waiting for me near my cabin.

"Good morning Ms. Joseph, shall I read your schedule for the day"

she said as I entered my cabin, she was a young woman with beautiful curly Black hair that she tied in a high ponytail it really went well with the blue shirt and khaki pants she wore,

" How many times should I tell you Amina, call me Maria not Ms. Joseph, by the way how do I look, do I look good enough to to be the Head Designer."

I had worn a long pleated powder blue skirt with a white cropped half sleeved blazer.

I still remember the Mr. Jacob Abraham the CEO of our company telling me,

'Dress like you own the brand Maria, you are the Head designer not a stupid intern' in his super scary voice. I was brought out of this dream when I heard Amina's voice,

" You look wonderful ma'am... Sorry Maria , there is an inter department meeting today , the new HR will be announced, you have to be there, meeting starts at 10 , that is in half an hour both the CEOs and all department heads will be present there."

"Thank you Amina, you can go back to working"

Mr. Jacob Abraham and Mr. David Abraham two similar scary brothers who are also the founders and co-CEOs of Abraham Enterprises. Mr. Jacob was in charge mostly of all company activities within India while his younger brother Mr. David was in charge of company activities outside the country.