Elena's POV
I stood outside the office building, taking a deep breath to calm my nerves. This was it, my first day at Smith & Co., one of the top marketing firms in the city. I had worked hard to land this job, and I was determined to make a good impression.
As I stepped inside the building, I was immediately struck by the sleek, modern decor. The lobby was filled with comfortable-looking chairs and sofas, and the walls were adorned with colorful artwork. I felt a surge of excitement as I approached the reception desk.
"Hi, I'm Elena Vasquez," I said, smiling at the receptionist. "I'm the new marketing coordinator."
The receptionist, a friendly-looking woman with a warm smile, greeted me warmly. "Welcome, Elena! We're so glad to have you on board. Let me just check your ID and get you set up with a security badge."
As I waited for the receptionist to process my paperwork, I couldn't help but feel a sense of pride and accomplishment. I had worked hard to get to this point, and I was determined to make the most of this opportunity.
I thought back to my job interview, remembering the way Jay McCormick, the CEO of Smith & Co., had looked at me with a mixture of curiosity and skepticism. We had a history, Jay and I. He had been the star quarterback in high school, and I had been the shy, awkward girl who always seemed to get in his way.
But I had changed a lot since then. I had gone to college, studied marketing, and landed a series of internships and entry-level jobs that had helped me build my skills and confidence.
And now, here I was, standing in the lobby of Smith & Co., ready to start my new job and prove myself to Jay and the rest of the team.
Just as I was starting to feel more confident, I heard a familiar voice behind me.
"Well, well, well. Look what we have here."
I turned to see Jay McCormick standing behind me, a smirk on his face. He was even more handsome than I remembered, with piercing blue eyes and a strong jawline.
My heart skipped a beat as our eyes met. I felt a flutter in my chest, and my palms began to sweat. I had thought I was over my high school crush on Jay, but apparently, I was wrong.
"Jay," I said, trying to sound calm. "It's good to see you again."
Jay chuckled, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "I'll bet," he said. "Welcome to Smith & Co., Elena. I'm looking forward to seeing what you can do."
I smiled, trying to hide my unease. I had no idea what Jay had in store for me, but I was determined to prove myself and show him that I was more than just a high school nobody.
As Jay walked away, I felt a surge of determination. I was going to make a success of myself, no matter what it took. And I was going to prove to Jay that I was a force to be reckoned with.
I took a deep breath, smoothing out my dress and shouldering my bag. It was time to get to work.