Chapter 70
Miranda
The sign to Moonlit Labs stares at me. It’s a bittersweet sight. I used to beg my mother to take me with her to work, wanting to see heroes at work. My mother was my superhero and role model when she was here with me on earth. She still is. I like to think that she’s my guardian angel watching over me.
I take a single step towards the door. I hesitate.
Insecure questions run through my mind at a rapid pace. Will I be good enough? I know I have the talent to bring back Moonlit Labs, to make it better than ever, but I need the support of its employees and workers to truly be successful.
A company is only as good as its lower worker and Lily has destroyed everything good about Moonlit Labs.
“Good morning, boss,” Jessica says and pats my shoulder. A smile spreads across my face. I look at her before turning back to the building.
It’s right next door to Sebastian’s skyscraper. Lily had worked from his building, which only created an even bigger divide between her and her employees.
I scrunch my face and take a deep breath, trying to take another step but I hesitate yet again.
“Nervous?” Jessica asks.
“How could you tell?” I nervously laugh, glancing at her.
“I like to think that I know you pretty well,” she chuckles. She wraps an arm around my shoulders and we stare up at the building’s sign.
Moonlit Labs
It stares back at me, almost like it wants to haunt me and my time here.
“Take a deep breath, Miranda. You are going to do great things here. You’ve always wanted this, what’s stopping you?” Jessica’s words bring me both comfort and a sense of dread. She lets go of my shoulders and takes the brave and bold choice to step to the door. She opens it up and looks back at me.
She nods her head towards the inside of the building. The smile returns to my face and I take a deep breath.
I got this. I’m going to do great. My mother will be proud of me. My kids will be proud. Sebastian will be proud.
I walk up the stairs and slip into the building, Jessica following close behind. People watch us as we navigate our way to the reception desk. A woman looks up and smiles at us, beaming.
The employees next to her glance at us before their gazes shoot away. They whisper to each other behind their hands and I can’t help but feel a sting of rejection from them.
“You must be Miranda!” She jumps from her seat and circles around the desk. She shakes our hands and the smile remains plastered on her face. “Welcome! Let me show you to your office!”
“Thank you,” I breathe out. Jessica and I share an excited glance and follow the employee to the back elevators. We enter and shoot up to the highest level of the building where the CEO’s office sits.
“You are at the very top, ma’am! You have a nice view of the city and have full access to the labs below you,” the employee’s voice is warm but there is a hint of hesitation in it.
I hum along with her words. Jessica makes herself at home and plops down onto a plush couch in the middle of the room. I roll my eyes and watch as the receptionist approaches the desk.
“The phone has all of the numbers of the building saved. We have a list of the numbers as well as the corresponding name to the department it goes to. Don’t hesitate to call! We are here to help!” She smiles and pushes away from the desk.
She heads to the elevator, brushing past me. I watch as she goes but reach out, the words stammering out of my mouth.
“Wait! I have a question!”
“How may I assist you toddy, ma’am?” She asks.
“No need to call me ma’am. My name is Miranda,” I approach her. She nods, a flash of warmth spreading across her face. “If I’m going to be honest, I want to earn your trust, alongside every other employee here. I don’t want to be like Lily. Do you have any suggestions on how I may be able to earn the company’s trust?”
The receptionist tilts her head to the side, staring at me with furrowed brows. She takes a moment before finally responding to me, “Not off the top of my head, no, but I will take the time to ask around and see what the consensus is?”
“Yes! Thank you, I would really appreciate that. Please be discreet, though,” I chuckle.
“Of course, Miranda. May I show Jessica to the office you requested for her?” She asks. Jessica shoots up. She smiles at us and rushes to the woman, linking arms with her. They exit as their banter begins. I can’t help but laugh at her excitement, turning to the rest of the room.
The office reeks of Lily and Harper. Their design is much different than mine. It’s all white and clean; there is no color or life. I move to the desk, examining it closely and notice a framed picture. I pick it up and sigh.
Lily and Evan sit next to each other. They both look as if they don’t want to be there with huge frowns on their faces and arms crossed. I slide the picture out of the frame and rip down the middle. I toss Lily’s part of the picture into the trash and slide Evan’s half into an empty drawer.
Damn. Lily really never used this place. No wonder it feels so…staged.
A knock at the door catches my attention. I walk to the door, a slight pep to my step, and swing it open.
Purple flowers are held in front of my face. I chuckle and take a glance around them, noticing Sebastian hiding his face behind them. I gently take the vase from his hands and turn around, walking deeper inside the office.
“Do I need to tip you for this delivery?” I chuckle, placing the vase of flowers down on the table in the middle of the room.
“You don’t, no, but I’ll definitely appreciate it,” Sebastian counters, closing the doors behind him. “How are you settling into your CEO role?”
“I just got here but I think I’m doing well,” I turn and face him, hands clasped behind my back. I smile at him and he closes the distance. He stands only a couple inches away, looking down at me. He takes my hand and kisses my knuckles, bowing his head.
“My Queen,” he muses with a smile. I roll my eyes and ignore the flutter in my stomach, pulling my hand away. He pulls out a folder and passes it to me. “You’re official. The board approved you this morning. I came straight from the meeting.”
“Thank you, Sebastian, truly,” I sigh and look at the papers. “Hopefully they know I still have my training wheels on.”
“You’ll get the hang of it soon enough,” Sebastian sets the papers down and takes my hands, pulling my body against his. We share a throaty chuckle. I push up on my toes, our lips about to connect, when the office doors burst open.
“Miranda! There’s been an explosion at one of the manufacturing plants! We need you now!”
