slow down

chapter one

veronica

"het zal me goed gaan, dit werk is eenvoudig" i say over the phone to my mother, as she
gives me pointers about my new job. [translation: "i'll be fine, this job is simple"]

today, i start my new job at the biggest corporate trade firm in nyc, 'gianluca and co.'. i will
admit, it seems stressful - but i'm not new to reception so i think i'll be fine.

"goodbye mammie, i will text you later" i say as i hang up the phone.

i'm packing my bag and making sure all is well before i leave, as i'm trying my hardest to be
on time.
i look into my mirror and fix up my skirt which was sliding up a bit - i really dont wanna
flash someone at the biggest corporate firm in nyc.

i'm leaving my apartment, and i walk with confidence. no one will see me moping around,
not when i look this good.

i take in all my surroundings... flower shop, food van, weed van, man yelling, cars honking,
men staring at me...

nyc sure is "magical"... in a way.

i set my eyes on my building and take a deep breath.

i re-adjust my heels and stride into the building like i own the place.

the men stare, the women stare, and i strut. dress to impress was my motto.

i step into the shiny elevator and hit the button for the 77th floor. executive office level. i'm
really doing this.

i take deep breaths and look around the elevator. it's covered in mirrors and just a keypad. not
much to it.

74... 75... 76...

77.

the metal doors open slowly, and the executive level is revealed to me, in all its glory.

the walls and floor are covered in marble tiles, with a few doors covered in frosted glass, so
you couldn't see in.

i turn my head back to the front desk, and i'm greeted by a tidy-looking woman who has a
small smile on her face.

i wave at her, and she suddenly cracks a massive grin and runs towards me,

"eeeee!! new girl!! hiiii! im alex!" she says cheerfully and with a giggle,

"i'm veronica, it's wonderful to meet you! will we be working together?" i query,

she makes a questionable expression, "kiiiinda... i'm the executive's assistant, so i run errands
and all that real "fun" stuff. so, we'll see each other, but i won't always be here."

i nod and start to wander around the level opening.

all the doors have keypads for some reason.

i point at them, "are these really necessary?" i turn to face alex,

she nods quickly, "although we have max security, these people are the best and most
powerful out of all the people in this building..."

"...especially mr gianluca." she finishes, pointing at the double doorway, having a private
sector.

ah yes, mr gianluca. the ceo and head of 'gianluca and co.' as you can kinda tell from the
name.

alex puts her finger up, as she says, "there's a book of notes on your desk, so have a look
through those when you get a chance."

i nod and walk towards the desk, seeing the thick binder... gee, how exciting.

alex walks towards the elevator and quickly turns around,

"i have to go now, but just be on your best behaviour, and have good manners. have a great first day veronica. it was great meeting you!" she says as she steps into the elevator.

"thank you alex, it was nice meeting you." i respond, watching the doors slowly close.

once alex is gone, i realise how quiet this place is. no one else around here except me.

i look down at the binder, deciding whether or not i should have a skim through the work,
which i've decided is the best idea.

15 minutes pass, and i'm only a third through this binder.

i jump up upon hearing a door open, with a woman yelling on the phone

"i don't care how busy you are, you heard my orders, and you follow them." she hangs up.

this woman has long brown hair, with green eyes and a red lipstick on.

she's wearing a black pantsuit, with high heels on.

she looks very professional, and very hot.

i'm just staring at her trying to read her, when she turns her head to me,

"hello? who are you?" she questions,

"o-oh i'm veronica...! i'm the new receptionist for this floor." i say with a slight shake in my
voice.

'ohhhh you're the new one! i'm ms parker, ms adele parker. i'm the marketing executive
here." she says with a smug smile.

i nod and stare at her nervously, i'm not really sure what to say from here.

she points at the computer, "i have a meeting at 12:45pm, note that for me and send me the
schedule for today.",

i nod and type that into the daily planner,

i look down and think about what i'm about to ask, "i know this is really random, but when
will i meet everyone on the floor?" i ask her,

"i have no clue doll, these men come and go as they please... between you and me... you
can't rely on them for shit here." she says and rolls her eyes.

doll. doll. she called me doll.

she sighs and runs her hands through her hair,

"alright, well i'm off for lunch now, but reminder we have a staff meeting at 3:30 today... if
no one told you." she continues,

"goodbye veronica, i'll see you later." she struts away into the elevator whilst getting back
onto her phone.

she's really hot.

i register what she just said as the elevator doors close,

"wait... we have a staff meeting?!" i had no idea!

she said 3:30... its 10 right now... i have time.

i get onto the computer and start looking around the files that have been left for me,
dress code, behaviour policy, technology code, spreadsheeting demo...

...'for veronica'

i rub my eyes just to check i'm not going crazy,

there has been a document left for me in the computer.

i double-click the file and a notepad message pops up,

"hello veronica,

it is Mr Gianluca here,

i want you to understand what i need..."

i read further and the tone of the words just yells out at me...

...he's speaking to me like i'm a dog.

"i need obedience, punctuality, and loyalty, don't go with another company..."

my eyes widen at the last sentence,

"... you're mine now."

that sentence makes my heart skip a beat,

what have i gotten myself into...?