Settling In

I had resumed work as the secretary after a training I took from a staff in the office, I couldn't sleep overnight due to the excitement in me.

My palms were clammy by the time I walked into Sterling Enterprises that morning, my mind racing through all the ways this could go horribly wrong.

"Just breathe, Peace," I whispered as the elevator opened onto the top floor. Sleek and intimidating-just as it had been yesterday-early, that didn't stop the pulse of anxiety running through me.

Save for a few early birds, the office was pretty much deserted. Nathaniel's door was shut, which meant I had some time to acclimate at the new desk outside his office. I just stared at the computer in front of me-at least trying to figure out how to log on.

"Okay, not freaking out," I whispered to myself, hitting random keys. "Totally not freaking out."

"Need a hand?

I jumped-my heart almost quite literally leaping out of my chest. Standing beside my desk was a tall man with warm brown eyes and a friendly smile. He was sharply dressed, yet not in such a way that it screamed intimidation, like Nathaniel had been. More approachable, like someone you actually could talk to.

"Sorry I don't mean to bother you." he said, chuckling. "You must be the new hire-Peace, right?"

I nodded, shock dissolved fast with several rapid blinks. "Yeah, that is me-despite still trying to figure out how to log in."

"No problem. I'm Lucas Smith, Chief Revenue Officer." He extended his hand and I shook it-feeling a little more at ease now. "It can be overwhelming on your first day-especially working for Sterling. He's, uh, intense."

I laughed nervously. "Yeah, intense is one way of putting it."

Lucas smiled; his eyes danced with humor. "Don't worry, you will soon understand everything, do you want me to help you with that login?"

"Please. I feel like I'm already in over my head." I handed him my ID card, and he had me logged on and within the system in a matter of seconds, whizzing through them with a familiar ease.

"There you go," he said, stepping back as I took over with the mouse. "You'll be a master at this in no time."

I smiled gratefully. "Thanks, Lucas. Really appreciate the help."

"No problem, I'll be around if you need anything. And when Sterling is giving you a hard time, just come find me. I've got your back."

His words caught me off guard; nice, though, to learn there was someone in here who wasn't as daunting as the rest of the building. I watched him disappear into one of the offices off to the side, confident stride carrying him away.

No sooner had I become engrossed in the work on the screen in front of me than Nathaniel's office door opened. He stepped out and his eyes sliced directly to me.

"Peace, in my office. Now."

I swallowed hard and rose to my feet, my whole body sizzling as I followed him inside. He didn't say another word until the door had clicked shut behind me. He strode across the room to his desk, sat down, and waved a hand toward the chair opposite. "You're settling in, I assume?" he asked, his voice as sharp and cold as usual.

"Yes, sir," I replied, professional enough. "Lucas helped me log on, and I am wading through this morning's e-mails."

He raised an eyebrow at me. "Lucas?"

"Mr. Smith-he was nice enough to help."

Something flickered across Nathaniel's face, gone again in a moment. "Good, you'll have to work with all the department heads, Lucas included.

Don't let his friendliness distract you from the job at hand."

I blinked, taken aback. "I won't. I'm here to do my job."

"Good," he repeated again, eyes boring into mine. "I have no time for distractions, Peace. Keep your focus on the tasks at hand. We're in the middle of a major project, and I expect efficiency."

I nodded hastily as it turned the heat up. "Understood."

"Now," he went on, his voice no less firm, but the merest fraction softer, "there is a meeting at 10 with the board.

You'll be minute-taking and dispatching the letters. See everything's perfect."

"Yes, of course, sir."

He merely nodded curtly and sent me away. I hightailed it out of the office in a rush, with my head spinning. This job was going to be more intense than I could have imagined anytime: every second tightrope-walking around perfection and botching.

I was back to my desk, buried in work-emails answered, Nathaniel's calendar updated and ready for that board meeting.

Buried so deep, actually, that I didn't even see Lucas approach until he tapped lightly against my desk.

"How's it going, Peace?" he asked, leaning against the cubicle wall with that blasted easy smile.

"It's not easy but I'm trying to figure things out." I said, looking up at him. "I have a meeting with the board coming up."

"Board meetings at Sterling can get pretty intense," Lucas said in a conspiratorially hushed tone.

"But just remember to stay cool, and they won't be able to get under your skin. You'll do fine."

I smiled small, appreciative. "Thanks for the pep talk. I might need it."

Lucas chuckled.

"We all did when we first started, trust me. I have been here six years, and I still get a little nervous when he is around."

Before I could utter anything in response, my phone began to buzz.

A notification of an email had come through onto my screen-it was from Nathaniel.

*"Need you to pull together the revenue reports for this month. Lucas will send you the data. I want it done by 3 p.m."*

I turned to Lucas, who looked just a little too pleased at whatever was on the screen. "Looks like I've got my next task."

"I'll send over the reports right now," Lucas said, pushing off the wall to head back to his office.

Morning was fast slipping, and I juggled e-mails, the board meeting, and the reports Nathaniel wanted.

Lucas sent across all that I needed, and true to his word, he was helpful without being too in-your-face.

It felt good to know that at least one person in this company didn't think of me as a cog in the machinery wheel.