The First day

Monday,

The most awaited day for Alex finally came. He got up earlier than usual, prepared breakfast, and by nine o'clock, the whole family was ready to leave for work together.

While Martha was not around, George dragged Alex into a corner.

"Son, listen to me and listen very carefully". George said.

Sensing the seriousness in George's voice, Alex paid more attention to him.

"Work hard".

"Yes, dad". Alex nodded in affirmation. He was going to do that even if he did not say that.

"But don't just focus on work". George continued.

"Uhh..." Alex was left speechless.

"Why are you looking at me like that?" George asked with his brows raised. He didn't say anything wrong, so why was Alex looking at him like that?

"Aren't parents supposed to advice their children to work harder than others?" Alex asked.

"It's for those who don't have any other alternative. In your case, even if they fire you, you can just come to my company, no need to worry about that. I am already being lenient enough to allow you to work somewhere else". George said. For him, the most important task right now, which Alex should focus on was to find himself a girlfriend.

Alex was left speechless. Well if you think about it clearly what his father said was right up to a certain extent.

"Then, what am I suppose to focus on?" Alex asked.

"'Theation' is a paradise for men, and you are among the few chosen ones, who have the privilege to work there. You should focus more on finding yourself a girlfriend, do you understand?" George said.

"Well... I will think about it" Alex could only agree.

"What is there to think? Just go there with a bang. Make sure no one looks down on you, am I clear? Don't drag the name of Rutherford's in the mud with you. When I was young the number of girlfriends I had before I married your mother was in hundr..., I mean hundred of girls followed me, but I just followed your mother, right honey?" George said as he bragged about his glorious past, but as he turned around he saw Martha looking at the father-son duo, he could only swallow his original words, and change them.

Martha looked at George for a while, and all this while the latter felt his heart was about to come out of his mouth.

"I guess, we are going to have a long discussion tonight". Martha said and walked out of the house.

George sighed, now he could only resign him to fate and hope that Martha forgets all about this by night. He looked towards Alex, " Alex, this is the second time I got into trouble while giving you tips on how to find yourself a girl," George said, "Youngsters these days are already becoming dads at your age. I am disappointed in you" George said this and walked out shaking his head.

Alex was left standing in the living room, he thought to himself, ' Was he really such a disappointment?'

"Are you coming or not?" George called out to Alex from the outside.

"Coming".

When the three of them came out, they met Margaret. Was this a coincidence? Absolutely not, she was waiting for Alex to come out for a long time in her lawn. Margaret, who was used to sleeping till noon, had to cut back her sleep just because of Alex.

"Good morning Mr and Mrs Rutherford, going to work?" Margaret came forward and greeted them. She looked at Alex and smiled to which the latter could only avert his eyes.

"Good morning, what are you doing out here? I have never seen you out at this time of the day" George asked. He didn't mind Margaret ending up with Alex. He did not care about the rumours too. Most of the rumours are always false, created by losers against those whom they can't afford to compete with.

"Well, I was going out too". Margaret said.

"Ohh... is your car broken?" George asked as he winked towards her.

"No, why?" Feeling a little weird Margaret said.

"What a bummer, otherwise I would have asked Alex to drop you on his bike". George was a bit disappointed that she did not understand his sign.

'How is he going to help her if she is going to be like this?'

All the others except George had different reactions to his words. Martha and Alex were looking towards George with astonishment, while Margaret was regretting as to why she did not lie.

"Well then I will be leaving now, I don't want to be late on my first day". Saying this, Alex got on his bike and drove away.

When Martha and George were walking towards their car, George turned around and gave Margaret a thumbs up, leaving the latter embarrassed.

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After half an hour, Alex was in the parking lot of 'Theation'. He parked his bike and made his way to the elevator. There was no one along with him in the elevator and he found it odd. He pushed the button for the fourth floor, but then he remembered about Susan, the receptionist and his promise to her. He got off on the ground floor and made his way towards the reception.

Just like the day when he came here for the interview, today too as soon he showed up bustling of ladies grew in the lobby. He turned every head in his direction.

"Hey," Alex said to Susan who was busy doing her work.

Susan, who was busy writing something, looked up and was surprised to see Alex, "Hi, I see you got the job," Susan said with a smile.

"Yes, so I am here to fulfil the promise I made the other day". Alex said, reminding of the deal they made the other day.

"Are you sure? You don't have to take that seriously". Susan said. She was not certain about that promise he made, just to get her out of that situation.

"Why not? Since we already talked about, let's just get on with it?" Alex said.

"Okay then". Finally, Susan agreed.

"How does dinner on Sunday sound?" Alex asked.

"It's okay with me". Susan agreed.

"Well then, it's decided. I should get going now, bye". Alex bid his farewell and walked towards the elevator.

"Bye". Susan just waved her hand, weakly behind him.

After Alex left all the other ladies gathered around Susan to find out what they talked about, but Susan just replied vaguely, not getting into the details.

* * *

Alex was waiting for the elevator when someone tapped on his shoulder from behind. Alex turned around to see a girl about the same age as his, looking at him with smiles. With a round face and shoulder-length hair, the girl could be considered tall, as she was able to reach Alex's shoulder.

Alex looked at her for a while, trying to guess if he knew her or he could have met her somewhere, but having no recollection of her, he could only apologise.

"Sorry, but do I know you?" Alex asked apologetically.

"Ehhh... you don't remember me?" The girl asked astonished.

"No, have we met before?"

"Well, I came for the job interview, just like you". She reminded him.

"Ohh... so you also got the job. Congratulations" Meeting a fellow newcomer, Alex was more than happy to befriend her.

*Ding the elevator arrived.

The two of them got on the elevator and arrived on the fourth floor.As the two of them entered the PR department, other employees were already there.

The PR head was giving instructions to them when she saw them.

"You both are here! Come let me introduce you to all" the PR head said as she gestured them to stand beside her.

"These two are the new recruits from the last interview, this is Amber Smith and the guy here is, Alex Rutherford".

"I could not introduce myself on the day of the interview, I am Karen the head of the PR department. You can come to me if you need any help". The PR head introduced herself.

"We finally got a man to ourselves," one of the ladies said.

"Well, I wouldn't go calling him a man, he is just a boy" the other rebuked.

"A pretty boy," someone said.

"Look at his face, so cute".

"Should I get a divorce?"

"You are as old as his mom, don't you feel pity for him?"

"Who is old here? This lady is in her prime right now".

Alex was getting more and more embarrassed as he heard them talk. Karen looked at his face and felt a bit of pity.

"Will you guys shut up and introduce yourself?" Karen scolded them.

"Hi guys, I am Elaine, the Social media manager. If you need any help you can come to me, especially you pretty boy" one of the ladies said and winked at him.

"Get aside, I am Hazel and the PR strategist. Since everyone is ogling over the boy, I will hold on to the girl".

"I am Jennifer, the publicist of the PR department," One of the ladies said weakly.

And following them, the others also introduced themselves.

"Since both of you are new here, right now both of you are going to assist all the teams here. Whoever needs you, will call for you. After three months you will be put in a team permanently. Your seats are over there. Now all of you get back to work". Karen assigned work to the two of them and walked towards her office.

After Karen left, Alex and Amber went to their desks. Alex stared at his desk and felt pumped up. ' Now he was going to work hard and soon climb up the corporate ladder. His name will be among the most competent men in...' Alex was interrupted in his imagination.

"Hey, newbie get us coffee". Elaine said to Alex.

Alex shook out of his dream, he looked around but could not find anyone else other than himself. He looked at Elaine and pointed the finger towards himself to which Elaine nodded.

Alex was shaken to the core. Is this for real?