More Than I've Seen

As Anushka sat at her desk, staring at the photo of her and Mark, the door to her office creaked open. Emily stepped in, her usual bright smile softened by a hint of concern. "Hey, Anushka," she said. "I'm so glad you're back. How are you holding up?"

Anushka looked up, forcing a small smile. "I'm… managing. It's good to be back, but it's strange without him."

Emily nodded, her expression sympathetic. "I know. We all feel it. But we're here for you, okay? You're not alone in this."

Anushka appreciated the sentiment, but the weight of Mark's absence still felt like a heavy stone in her chest. She glanced around the office, her eyes lingering on the empty chair where Mark used to sit. "Thanks, Emily. That means a lot."

Emily stepped further into the room, her tone shifting to something more practical. "So, have you had a chance to see the rest of the Cyber Genesis departments? I know Mark kept you pretty close to his side, but there's a whole world out there you haven't seen yet."

Anushka blinked, surprised by the question. "No, I haven't. Mark never really… introduced me to the rest of the team. I guess he wanted me to focus on the projects we were working on together."

Emily chuckled softly, shaking her head. "That sounds like Mark. Always keeps his favorite people close. But now that you're stepping into his role, you need to know the ins and outs of the company. Come on, I'll give you the grand tour."

Anushka hesitated, her stomach twisting with a mix of curiosity and anxiety. She had always known Cyber Genesis was a large company, but she had never stopped to consider just how vast it truly was. Still, she nodded, pushing herself up from her chair. "Alright. Let's do it."

The two girls left the office, stepping into the hallway that Anushka had walked countless times before. But this time, instead of going straight toward the private elevator she always used, Emily led her to the right. Anushka frowned as they passed a series of elevator doors she had never noticed before. "Wait, how many elevators are there?" she asked, her voice tinged with confusion.

Emily grinned, clearly enjoying Anushka's bewilderment. "More than you'd think. The one you've been using is Mark's private elevator. It's reserved for him—and now you—to get to and from the top floors without running into the rest of the staff. But there are plenty of others for everyone else."

Anushka's eyes widened as they continued down the hallway, which seemed to stretch on forever. "How big is this place?" she muttered, more to herself than to Emily.

Emily laughed. "Bigger than you realize. Just wait."

They reached the end of the hallway, where it split into two more corridors. Emily gestured to the left. "This way. First stop: Pen-Testing and Ethical Hacking."

Anushka followed, her heart racing as they approached a massive glass door. Above it, a bold sign read: Pen-Testing and Ethical Hacking Department. Emily pushed the door open, revealing a bustling room filled with rows of desks, each occupied by employees hunched over their computers. The hum of keyboards and the occasional murmur of conversation filled the air.

Anushka froze in the doorway, her eyes scanning the room. She had no idea this department even existed, let alone that it was so large. "How many people work here?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Emily shrugged. "About fifty in this department alone. And this is just one wing."

Before Anushka could process that information, a jovial young woman with curly hair and a bright smile approached them. "Emily! Long time no see. Who's this?" she asked, her eyes flicking to Anushka with friendly curiosity.

"Stacey, this is Anushka," Emily said, gesturing between them. "She's stepping into Mark's role for now. Anushka, this is Stacey, the head of Pen-Testing."

Stacey extended a hand, her grip firm and confident. "Nice to meet you, Anushka. I've heard a lot about you. Mark always spoke highly of you whenever he came around."

Anushka shook her hand, feeling a mix of pride and discomfort at the mention of Mark. "Nice to meet you too. I… I didn't even know this department existed until now."

Stacey laughed her tone light and teasing. "Well, I guess Mark didn't give you a chance to stop by. But don't worry, we don't bite. Welcome to the team."

Emily stepped in, her tone shifting to something more authoritative. "Stacey, Anushka will be your direct point of contact moving forward. She'll need regular updates on your department's progress and any issues that arise."

Stacey nodded, her expression serious now. "Understood. I'll make sure she's kept in the loop."

With that, Stacey turned to the room and clapped her hands sharply. "Everyone, listen up! This is Anushka. She's stepping into Mark's role, so from now on, she's your boss. Let's give her a warm welcome!"

The room erupted into a chorus of greetings and applause, leaving Anushka feeling both flustered and overwhelmed. She managed a small wave, her mind racing as she tried to take in the sheer number of faces staring back at her.

The rest of the tour was so hectic. Emily led Anushka through the Network Security Department, where teams monitored the company's digital infrastructure for threats in real time. Next was the Incident Response Team, a group of specialists who sprang into action whenever a breach or attack occurred. Then came the Threat Intelligence Division, where analysts tracked emerging cyber threats and developed strategies to counteract them.

Each department was more impressive than the last, and by the time they finished, Anushka's head was spinning. "How am I supposed to manage all of this?" she asked Emily as they finally stepped into the elevator. "There's so much I don't know. Mark made it look so easy, but… I'm not him."

Emily placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "You don't have to be Mark. You just have to be yourself. And you're not alone—you've got me, Jacqueline, and the rest of the team to help you. We'll figure it out together."

Anushka nodded, though her anxiety didn't fully dissipate. When the elevator doors opened on the ground floor, they stepped out into a massive cafeteria filled with employees. Anushka's eyes widened as she took in the sight. "I had no idea this many people worked here," she murmured.

Emily chuckled. "Most of them don't use the private elevator, so you've probably never crossed paths with them before. But now that you're in charge, you'll get to know them all."

As they grabbed their food and found a table, Anushka's mind was still reeling. She turned to Emily, her voice hesitant. "Do you think… do you think Mark will come back?"

Emily's expression softened, and she reached across the table to squeeze Anushka's hand. "I don't know. But I do know that he'd want you to keep going. To take care of the company he loved. And we're all here to help you do that."

Anushka nodded, her resolve hardening. She didn't know if she could fill Mark's shoes, but she was determined to try. For him. For the company. And for herself.