7 Brewing Beginnings

As Lia stepped into her first day at work, she opted for a simple yet professional look, donning a midi black skirt paired with a blue collared top neatly tucked in, and completing the ensemble with nude heels. The attire exuded an air of professionalism as she aimed to make a strong impression. Entering the office premises, she approached the reception desk to retrieve her access card and swiped it for the first time. The act felt surreal, marking the beginning of her journey into the corporate world. Navigating through the bustling environment, she made her way to the elevator, where a diverse group of individuals stood, some engrossed in their phones, others holding cups of coffee, all poised to commence another day at the workplace. Amidst her observations, a voice interrupted Lia's thoughts, pulling her attention away from the rhythmic hum of the office routine. "First day, huh?" Lia turned to the source of the voice, and it was none other than Jacob from the interview. Jacob grinned as he extended a welcoming hand. "Jacob, remember from the interview? You made quite an impression in there." Lia shook his hand with a smile. "Ah, yes! The battlefield skills and all. Hope I didn't scare you off with my talk of conquering the corporate world." Jacob chuckled. "Not at all. In fact, I could use someone with your spirit around here. 'THE VORTEX' can be a bit overwhelming, but don't worry, I'm here to guide you through the maze." Lia sighed in mock relief. "That's reassuring. I was half-expecting a welcome manual thicker than a dictionary and a maze that rivals a labyrinth." Jacob laughed, his easygoing demeanor putting Lia at ease. "No worries. I'll give you the condensed version. Coffee is sacred, Damon's preferences are mysterious, and if you ever find yourself lost, just follow the scent of the nearest espresso machine." Lia couldn't help but laugh. "Got it. Coffee, Damon's mysteries, and the coffee machine as my North Star. Anything else I should know?" Jacob winked. "Well, there's the unspoken rule about Friday donuts in the breakroom, but I'll save that revelation for later. Ready for your initiation into 'THE VORTEX'?" Lia playfully saluted. "Born ready, Jacob. Lead the way, and let the corporate adventures begin!" With that the elevator doors opened and Jacob stepped out.” "Well, this is my stop. If the North Star fails you or you find yourself lost in the corporate constellation, don't hesitate to track me down. I'll be orbiting somewhere in this star-studded chaos. See you around, Rachel Monroe!" Jacob said with a wink before disappearing into the bustling office, leaving Lia with a smile and a hint of laughter at his celestial metaphor. It was finally Lia's turn as everyone else exited the elevator. The chime signaled the lift coming to a halt, and the doors gracefully opened to unveil the uppermost floor. This floor was a realm reserved for Damon's office and the exclusive domain of the Research and Development team, considering Jacob's role as an engineer himself. As she made her way inside there was RnD written in bold outside signaling the research and development department she walked straight and turned a left and there were two desks on the left and on the right was a very big door. The enormity of the door hinted at the significance of what lay beyond – Damon's office. Lost in her thoughts, Lia was startled when Nina's voice chimed in. Nina: "Oh, hey! You picked the right time to join us. We're in the midst of deciding what to have for breakfast, and it's Lucas's treat since he lost." Lia, intrigued, joined the conversation with a smile. "Lost what?” Nina laughed, her eyes gleaming mischievously. “ Lucas insisted he makes the best pancakes in town, challenged Lisa to a pancake duel, and, well, let's just say things didn't go as planned." As Nina and Lia entered the RnD Department, five heads turned in unison, seated around a table. Nina, gesturing towards each person, began the introductions. "Rachel, meet the brains and brawn of RnD. This is Lucas, our pancake connoisseur and resident jokester. Say hi, Lucas." Lucas, with a playful wink, greeted Lia. "Hi there! Just a fair warning, my pancakes are a bit of a rollercoaster ride, but everyone survives." Nina continued, pointing to a girl with a warm smile. "And this cutie over here is Lisa. She's the one who bravely accepted Lucas's pancake challenge." Lisa, still chuckling, waved at Lia. "Nice to meet you! Pancake duels are surprisingly intense, just so you know." Next in line was a quiet yet striking woman. "This is Elenor. She doesn't say much, but her ideas speak volumes." Elenor, giving a nod of acknowledgment, offered a small smile. Nina pointed to a slightly older gentleman. "And here we have Patrick, the seasoned mind in our team. He's seen it all and survived." Patrick grinned, a twinkle in his eye. "Survived being the keyword." Finally, Nina motioned to the person at the head of the table. "Last but certainly not least, meet Liam, the maestro of RnD. He keeps this innovative ship sailing smoothly." Liam extended a welcoming hand. "Nice to have you on board, Miss?” “Rachel. Rachel Monroe.” Lia answered. Nina: "And, team, gather around! We have a new addition to our family. Rachel, meet the brilliant minds of RnD. Everyone, this is Rachel Monroe, and she's not just any newcomer. She's Damon's new assistant." Lucas, with a raised eyebrow, couldn't resist a teasing comment. "Assistant, huh? Does that mean you'll be the one dealing with his mountain of paperwork?" Lia, playing along, replied with a smirk. "Well, if Damon ever decides to let go of his precious paperwork, I'll be the first to know." Lisa chimed in, a playful glint in her eyes. "Good luck with that. Damon's attachment to his paperwork is legendary." Elenor, with a subtle smile, added her own comment. "Just make sure his coffee is perfect. That seems to be the key to surviving around here." Patrick, ever the seasoned observer, nodded in agreement. "You'll find that 'THE VORTEX' runs on caffeine and determination, Rachel. Welcome to the whirlwind." Lia, with a grateful smile, responded to the team's playful banter. "Thanks, everyone. I'm excited to be a part of this dynamic group." As the team resumed their discussions, Lucas, still in a playful mood, decided to take charge of the breakfast dilemma. "Alright, everyone, decision made! Waffles for the entire office, courtesy of yours truly. Consider it a celebration of our new team member." With the breakfast order settled, the team dispersed to their respective tasks, heading back to the buzzing activity of "THE VORTEX." Damon, immersed in his work in his office, remained a distant figure. Nina, gesturing for Lia to follow, led her to the breakroom. "Now, Rachel, here's a golden rule. As soon as you step in, drop everything and make Damon a cup of coffee. It's the first thing he needs every morning. Come, I'll show you how he likes it." In the breakroom, Nina guided Lia through the meticulous process of preparing Damon's coffee. Lia measured the coffee precisely, added just the right amount of sugar, and placed a few macarons on the saucer for good measure. Nina, with a reassuring smile, encouraged Lia. "You've got the hang of it. Now, take this to Damon in his office. He'll appreciate the gesture."