The sound of a car horn outside pulled Jeslyne from her thoughts. She peered through the window, spotting Emma waving energetically from the driver's seat of her red sedan. Jeslyne sighed, grabbed her bag, and headed out to join her best friend.
As she slid into the passenger seat, Emma gave her a quick glance before pulling back onto the road. "Okay, spill. What's wrong with you?"
Jeslyne turned to her with a frown. "What do you mean?"
"You've been sulking since yesterday. I can practically feel the storm clouds hovering over your head," Emma said, flashing a teasing smile. "Come on, out with it."
Jeslyne hesitated. "I'm fine, Em. Just a little overwhelmed with work, that's all."
Emma narrowed her eyes, clearly unconvinced. Then, out of nowhere, she smirked. "Wait a minute. Is this about the boss?"
Jeslyne blinked, startled. "What?"
"You know, Rolland Williams. Mr. Brooding and Handsome. Do you have a crush on him?" Emma wiggled her eyebrows mischievously.
Jeslyne felt heat rise to her cheeks. "Why would you even think that?" she asked, attempting to sound nonchalant but failing miserably.
Emma laughed. "Because you didn't deny it! Oh my God, you totally like him."
"I didn't say that," Jeslyne protested, shaking her head. "And besides, why would you even think something like that?"
Emma gave her a knowing look. "Because you've been acting weird ever since those rumors about the new vice CEO started flying around. Come on, Jes, I know you. You don't stress about management changes unless there's something more to it."
Jeslyne sighed, running a hand through her hair. "Fine. If you must know, it's not about him—it's about what a new management structure means for the rest of us. I'm stressed about how this vice CEO might interfere with my work. Women in management can be...difficult to deal with sometimes."
Emma raised an eyebrow. "Care to elaborate?"
Jeslyne nodded, her voice calm but firm. "Think about it. If she's coming in to oversee entertainment, she'll probably want to approve everything, from fashion styles to the models we use. What if her tastes clash with ours? Worse, what if she decides my office isn't necessary anymore? That's a threat to my work, Em, and I can't afford to lose my footing here."
Emma considered this for a moment. "Okay, fair point. But you're forgetting something—no one can touch your position. You're brilliant at what you do, and everyone knows it. Besides, you've got me. We'll take on this vice CEO together if we have to."
Jeslyne smiled faintly, grateful for Emma's unwavering support. "Thanks, Em. I just hope it doesn't come to that."
When they arrived at the studio, Jeslyne felt a sense of relief. Spending time outside her office might be exactly what she needed to clear her mind. Emma's cheerful energy was infectious, and soon Jeslyne found herself immersed in the training session, watching as the models perfected their walks and poses.
"See? Isn't this better than moping around in your office?" Emma teased, nudging her playfully.
Jeslyne laughed. "Okay, okay, you win. This is...refreshing."
They spent the next few hours observing the models and occasionally stepping in to offer feedback. Jeslyne surprised herself by enjoying the session far more than she had anticipated. Emma's enthusiasm was contagious, and the models were a mix of raw talent and eager determination.
At one point, the two of them fell into a playful argument about who among the models was the best.
"That one," Jeslyne said, pointing to a tall brunette with sharp features and a confident stride. "She's got the perfect mix of grace and attitude."
Emma shook her head. "No way. The blonde in the corner has way more potential. She's versatile and can adapt to any style."
"You're just saying that because she reminds you of yourself," Jeslyne quipped, smirking.
Emma gasped in mock offense. "Excuse me, but I happen to know talent when I see it. And anyway, you're not exactly qualified to judge. You chose a desk job over modeling, remember?"
Jeslyne laughed, feigning indignation. "That's rich coming from someone I beat in every fashion show back in university."
Emma rolled her eyes. "Oh, please. You won one show because the judges were clearly biased. I dominated the rest."
The playful banter continued, with both of them throwing lighthearted jabs about their university days. For the first time in what felt like forever, Jeslyne felt genuinely relaxed.
As the day drew to a close, Jeslyne found herself reluctant to leave the studio. Spending time with Emma and the models had been a welcome distraction from the tension she had been feeling.
"See?" Emma said as they packed up for the day. "I told you this would be good for you. Spending a day outside your office is exactly what you needed."
Jeslyne smiled, her mood noticeably lighter. "You were right, as usual. Thanks for dragging me out, Em."
"Anytime," Emma replied, slinging her bag over her shoulder. "And remember—you've got this. Whatever changes are coming, we'll handle them together."
Jeslyne nodded, feeling a renewed sense of determination. She wasn't sure what the future held, but for now, she was content to take things one day at a time.
As they walked out of the studio together, the evening sun casting a warm glow over the city, Jeslyne realized that sometimes, a little escape was all it took to regain her balance.
The following days passed by smoothly for Jeslyne, her time at work surprisingly peaceful. She found a rhythm she hadn't experienced in weeks. Emma's encouragement had given her the boost she needed to focus on the lighter aspects of her job, and the modeling classes became a daily retreat. Jeslyne embraced the break from the relentless office atmosphere, choosing to immerse herself in creativity and collaboration.
The models adored her presence, often seeking her advice on wardrobe, poses, and overall presentation. Her bond with Emma grew even stronger, and they often ended their days reminiscing about their university escapades or debating over the next big name in the industry.
By the time Friday rolled around, Jeslyne was feeling a rare sense of calm. She decided to use the quieter office hours to catch up on some pending work, preparing for the busy weeks ahead. Modeling Month was coming to an end, and she wanted to ensure everything was in order before Monday.
Jeslyne arrived at work early Friday morning, her coffee in hand and her mind set on productivity. But as she approached her office, she stopped dead in her tracks.
Her office—her personal space that she had curated meticulously—was completely unrecognizable. The glass walls that once displayed her vision boards and sketches were now sleek and minimalistic, with no trace of her creative touch. A large, imposing desk sat at the center of the room, and behind it, a woman sat typing on a laptop.
Jeslyne blinked, her heart sinking. She stepped back, assuming she had walked into the wrong office.
"I'm so sorry," she said, her voice shaking slightly. "I must have made a mistake."
The woman looked up, her expression cool and composed. She was impeccably dressed in a tailored navy suit, her dark hair pulled into a sleek bun. Her eyes fixed on Jeslyne with a piercing intensity.
"Miss Timer, isn't it?"
Jeslyne froze, turning back to the woman. "Yes, that's me," she replied cautiously.
The woman stood, extending a hand. "I'm Sofia Laurent, the new Vice CEO overseeing the entertainment division. I've heard a lot about you."
Jeslyne forced a polite smile as she shook Sofia's hand. "It's nice to meet you, Miss Laurent."
Sofia gestured to the newly renovated office. "I've made a few changes around here. I reviewed your work and concluded that this office was no longer necessary. Going forward, you'll need to choose one department—modeling, fashion design, or event management—to focus on. You'll report directly to the department head."
The words hit Jeslyne like a slap. Her office—the space she had worked so hard to build—was gone. And Sofia's tone was cold and dismissive, as though Jeslyne's contributions meant nothing.
"I see," Jeslyne said, her voice steady despite the anger bubbling beneath the surface. "Thank you for letting me know."
Sofia offered a tight smile, her tone almost patronizing. "Change can be difficult, but it's necessary for growth. I trust you'll make the right decision."
Jeslyne nodded, biting back the retort that threatened to spill from her lips. "Of course. If you'll excuse me, I'll take some time to think about it."
Without waiting for a response, Jeslyne turned and walked briskly to the elevator. She pressed the button for the 21st floor, her mind racing.
Seeking Refuge
The modeling studio on the 21st floor was a haven compared to the chaos downstairs. Jeslyne found Emma there, along with a few colleagues, all of whom looked equally disheartened.
"Jes! You're here early," Emma said, her smile faltering when she noticed the stormy look on Jeslyne's face. "What happened?"
Jeslyne dropped her bag onto a nearby chair and sank down beside her friend. "The Vice CEO happened," she said bitterly. "My office is gone, Em. Just like that. And she didn't even bother to warn me."
Emma's eyes widened. "What? That's insane! They can't just...kick you out like that."
"Oh, they can," Jeslyne muttered. "Apparently, I need to pick a single department to work in. My position doesn't 'align' with the new structure."
Another colleague, Anna, chimed in, her voice filled with frustration. "You're not the only one. I just found out I've been demoted to an assistant position. All the years I spent climbing the ladder...gone."
They looked at each other, the weight of their shared experiences heavy in the air. Unable to face the prying eyes of others in the studio, the group retreated to the stairwell, where they sat in a circle, venting their frustrations.
"This is a disaster," Anna said, burying her face in her hands. "I don't even know where to start."
Jeslyne leaned back against the cold wall, her mind racing. "We have to adapt," she said finally. "It's the only way we'll survive this."
Emma looked at her, her eyes narrowing. "What are you thinking?"
Jeslyne hesitated before responding. "I'm thinking of signing up for model scouting and training. If I'm going to choose a department, I might as well pick one where I can make a difference."
Anna nodded slowly. "That's actually not a bad idea. At least you'd still have some control over the creative process."
The group sat in silence for a moment, each lost in their thoughts.
By the end of the day, Jeslyne had made up her mind. She filled out the necessary forms to join the modeling department and submitted them before heading home.
As she walked through the quiet streets, the weight of the day pressed down on her. But beneath the frustration and disappointment, there was a spark of determination.
This wasn't the end—it was a new beginning. And Jeslyne was ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.