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“Karla. Jake’s new paralegal.”
She smiles back at me. “Let me guess, you are so excited to work with Jake.” I want to pretend and hide my excitement, but I can’t. She looks at me.
“Okay.” I don’t know if it is sarcasm. “You can join us all for lunch.”
“Really?” I don’t know what I am doing right and why they are invited to lunch.
When I was in high school, I had to try so hard to fit in, and now they are inviting me to the table unprovoked. It’s like a dream come true for me right now.
“Girl, are you going to show up?” Susanne asks, and I quickly nod, a little scared that she will redact her invitation.
“Okay then.” As soon as she leaves my office, I start to count down to my lunch break. Today, when I entered the office, I was a little sad because the faces were strangers, and I felt so unknown.
After a while, it’s finally lunch hour. I had to quickly call my mom, so the rest of the coworkers left without me, and Susanne texted me the address.
On my way to the restaurant, I can’t help but feel nervous.Are they going to like me? Are they going to think that I am nothing but some dog crap stuck to the bottom of their shoe?I try to assure myself that they don’t think that.
I walk into the bustling restaurant just outside the office, my heart pounding with anticipation. I can't wait to meet all of my new coworkers. The delicious aroma of food envelops me, making my mouth water
As I approach the large table where my new colleagues are gathered, laughter and chatter fill the air. They seem like a close-knit group, and I hope I can fit in. Taking a deep breath, I join them, feeling a mix of excitement and nerves.
"Hey, Karla! We've been waiting for you!" Sarah, a friendly and welcoming woman, exclaims with a warm smile.
The table erupts in cheers and applause as I take my seat. This team knows how to make a new member feel at home. The conversation flows effortlessly, with everyone eager to introduce themselves and get to know me.
"So, Karla, tell us about yourself," Mark, a charismatic guy with a great sense of humor, prompts. "What made you decide to join our team?"
I share my background and passion for the legal field, feeling a sense of camaraderie as they nod and share their own stories. We talk about our favorite hobbies, movies, and even our most embarrassing moments. Laughter fills the air as we bond over shared experiences and inside jokes.
This is great,I tell myself. I don't know why I feel the need to assure myself all the damn time.
As the conversation deepened, I discovered that our team is a diverse mix of personalities and talents. Emma, the resident tech whiz, regales us with stories of her latest coding triumphs. Mike, the office prankster, has us in stitches with his hilarious antics, and Lisa, the wise and experienced one, shares invaluable advice for navigating the challenges of our work. I really like that I am working with interesting people.
The minutes fly by as we savor our meals and enjoy each other's company. It's refreshing to be surrounded by such a supportive and fun-loving group. I feel like I've found my tribe, and I can't wait to see how this new journey at work will work.
Oh, it doesn’t matter if that first meeting with Jake was bad. I have found my own people,I tell myself.
The echoes of laughter and clinking cutlery reverberate through the restaurant as we, the newly formed colleagues, share a late lunch. The atmosphere is amiable, but an unspoken tension lingers beneath the surface. I try to keep up with the casual banter, all the while aware that my next encounter with Jake Perrington, the renowned lawyer, awaits me back at the office.
After the meal, I return to my desk, hoping to ease into the afternoon tasks. My phone buzzes with a message from Jake. "Karla, bring some coffee to my office. Urgent."
The directive is abrupt, and a sense of unease washes over me. Hesitating for a moment, I gather myself and head to the office kitchen to fetch the coffee.Will he call me into his office and tell me that I am fired and must never step foot inside this place anymore?
As I pour the steaming liquid into the cup, I can't help but replay the stories I've heard about Jake's strict demeanor in my mind. The weight of expectation is heavy on my shoulders as I make my way to his office.
The sleek door swings open, and I enter, holding the cup with a sense of trepidation. Jake is engrossed in his work, seemingly unfazed by my presence. "Close the door, Karla," he says without looking up.
I comply, and as I approach his desk to place the coffee, my hand trembles ever so slightly. The documents spread across his desk demand attention, and I catch a glimpse of the intricate legal web he navigates daily.
"Here's your coffee, Mr. Perrington. Is there anything specific you need assistance with?" I offer my voice a mix of politeness and nervousness.
"Sit down, Karla. We need to discuss something important," he says, finally lifting his gaze from the documents. His expression is stern, and I take a seat, feeling the tension in the room escalate.
Our conversation dives into new case details left by another corporation's stupid decision-making. Jake's frustration is palpable as he explains the urgency of the upcoming court appearance. I absorb the information, trying to keep up with the rapid pace of his expectations. I am new. I hope he realizes that.
As we delve into the complexities of the case, a sense of unease settles over me. The pressure builds, and I can feel the weight of responsibility pressing down. The minutes turn into an intense discussion, the air thick with the importance of the matter at hand.
Amidst the intricate legal talk, I notice the untouched coffee on the desk. The cup sits there, a visual reminder of my interrupted task. Jake's gaze follows mine, and a shadow of annoyance crosses his face. "Karla, why is the coffee still here? I asked for it, didn't I?"
