My new job was amazing! I had my own workstation that was packed with everything I could need. Mac had made sure of that. He'd said that he'd given me the basic stuff and if I needed anything else, I had to let him know.
I had a desk to design at as well as a high-tech computer. The far wall housed several stations for making any prototype. I was in heaven!
My new coworkers were a friendly and lively bunch. Ella instantly hugged me the moment I arrived and started acting like a mother hen. I stiffened at the contact first but then she stepped back. Tony, at first, was a little intimidating, being over six feet, but the minute he spoke, you could tell he was a teddy bear. Yumi was the more eccentric of the group, heavily into Japanese rock music, she was constantly rocking out with her headphones on.
They teased me about dressing like a stiff for my first day but after that, I felt right at home. The part that was and still is overwhelming is how excited they are to have me there. A touch of nerves started hitting me right away. I hoped I wouldn't let them down.
Two weeks later, as I headed into work, that fake receptionist was standing at the elevators with two very good-looking men. My legs froze.
Something inside was telling me to stand back but also to get closer. The two men could easily be models. Despite the slight fear, I inched close enough to eavesdrop.
"Oh Mr Astello, you're so funny, don't worry I'm on my break," she giggled.
I wanted to roll my eyes and gag. Her fakeness was practically choking me once again. The name pulled at me but I couldn't figure out why.
"Funny? Never thought I would hear anyone call him that," the shorter of the two men laughed.
"Well, now you have Mr Silver, I think Mr Astello is very funny … and very handsome."
She was becoming too much to bear. With my eyes closed I took a deep breath and shut everything out. I figured out how to do it a long time ago. When sensing everything became too much too often.
When the elevator doors finally opened Mr Astello just walked inside without a backwards glance. It was clear he wasn't interested, and I had to hide a smile.
"Have a good day Mr Astello! … You too Mr Silver," she stuttered out clearly flustered at being rejected.
Her face looked extremely disappointed as she left to go back to her desk. I tried to hide my smirk but I think she saw me.
"Are you getting in?"
I jumped and realised that the one she called Mr Silver was holding the door for me with a smile. Mr Astello stood at the back, eyes hidden behind dark shades.
"Oh … yes thank you," I stuttered out before racing inside.
"Which floor," he smiled.
His warm eyes and soft smile made me feel flustered.
"Ninth floor, please," I told him.
He raised an eyebrow at me but said nothing as he pressed the button.
"Are you new here?" he asked.
I nodded feeling like I was being interviewed.
"Great!" he cheered, holding his hand out. "I'm Luca William Silver at your service."
I shied away from his hand hoping he wasn't offended, I was still blocking my gift but touching could break through the block.
"I'm Sorin James," I told him.
If he was offended he didn't show it. He moved his hand back and continued to smile.
"It's nice to meet you, Sorin."
The doors pinged open on my floor and I was so relieved to leave.
"Have a good day!" he called after with a chuckle.
I could have sworn that when I looked back at them, Mr Astello's eyes were trained on me.
"Sorin? Are you ok? You looked like you've seen a ghost," Elle asked as she walked up.
"I'm fine!" I gulped out trying to catch my breath.
"Ok good, are you busy? I want you to look at something for me," she asked, pulling me along.
That was another thing that surprised me. I thought as a newcomer, I would be the one asking for their opinions and wanting them to look at my work. However, they said my designs were beyond amazing and I needed to help them get better with theirs.
I even asked Mac if this was normal. He seemed confused at first until I explained that I wasn't used to groups of talented people implying that I was better than them.
"Sorin, you've got to understand one thing. Here no one has egos if they say your work is good then it's good. You've got to have a little confidence. You've got an amazing eye for design and detail and they can see that."
Elle pulled me to her station and started showing me design after design. Honestly, it was good but she insisted it was missing something.
It was a simple elegant Celtic wrap band with a small white diamond at the centre. She explained it was a custom piece. Elle said she was unsure if there should be something else.
"What about adding a small sapphire or emerald on either side of the diamond, it should allow the diamond to stand out against the silver band?"
She eyed her designs for a minute and I thought I had overstepped or said something wrong but then she jumped up and shook my shoulders.
"Sorin! That's a brilliant idea! Thank you, it's been driving me crazy!"
I beamed next to her before going to my station. At the moment I wasn't doing anything other than assisting with some designs the others have been working on.
Mac had assured me that I would be given my own project soon, I just had to wait. I didn't mind, I liked that they wanted my opinions on their work and trusted me enough to accept them.
However, the day when I got my own project happened sooner than I thought.
"Hey Sorin, how are you doing?" Mac asked as he walked up to me.
"I'm good Mac," I told him, jumping slightly.
"That's good, today is going to be a little different. You've got a meeting with the big boss upstairs."
"Really? Why? Am I in trouble?" I asked worriedly.
Was I being fired? I've not been here a month yet.
"No, nothing like that," he laughed. "You're going to be given your first project. We can help you with it but ultimately it will be down to you. Normally, you wouldn't go to the big boss for this, usually, I would go and then give feedback, but he asked for you specifically."
"But … But …" I stammered, unable to process.
Everyone patted me on the back congratulating me.
"But I'm the new guy! Surely, one of you would be better for this than me?"
"Are you kidding?" Yumi asked.
"Yeah buddy, your designs are the bomb! Why wouldn't you get picked?" Tony encouraged me.
"Yeah Sorin, you've got this. Of course, we'll help you out but I know you will kill it."
My heart swelled at their praise but I felt a huge weight of responsibility growing on my shoulders.
"Sorin, just head up to the tenth floor at three. There's only one office so you'll know where to go."
Mac ruffled my hair and left with a smile. The others left too and I let out a nervous breath. My watch showed that I had several hours to panic and overthink before I had to go.