24 - favors

Amina

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January 5th

I walked into the office confidently with my head held high. I couldn't believe the new year was already here. When I got back to my apartment, I started making plans for the year.

This year was going to be different. I was going to do exactly what Caleb suggested. Focus on myself, my studies, and most importantly no boys. No drama with Dominic, steering clear of Aaron, and no more potential love interests!

Now that my internship was starting and I was going to be carrying a heavier load of classes this semester I couldn't afford for anything to distract me.

"Amina, welcome back. I hope you had a good holiday?" Felix welcomed me as I entered the business analytics department at Acme.

I nod, "Happy to be here! How was your holiday?"

He shrugs, "Nothing special. You remember where your desk is?" I nod again, "Good, go ahead and take a seat. Log into your Outlook and start setting up your email and calendar. You'll see we already have meetings scheduled, and you may see some projects for you to start on in your email. You know where my desk is if you have any questions."

"Yes sir, I'll get right on that." I reply with a nod to show my understanding.

He chuckles, "Good luck on your first day."

"Thank you." I smile genuinely before making my way to my desk. I opened up the computer desktop and signed into the account I was given. There were many calendar requests to be answered. I guess the role was going to be very meeting-heavy. My email also already had two projects for me to start on. One from the finance team, and another from Human Resources, all sent down from Tasha, my boss.

I scoot into my chair and begin working.

Despite it being my first day, the workload was heavy. I sat for hours analyzing reports, developing new processes for mid-performing systems, and proofreading whatever was sent to me all while occasionally stopping to make coffee runs for the office.

I couldn't complain though, I was getting experience and I was getting paid. Of course, it wouldn't hurt to receive more than minimum wage but I'll take what I can get.

As my workday drew closer to its end, Felix approached my desk. He placed a stack of papers on my desk making my eyes widen. He chuckles, "Don't worry this isn't for you. But I do need you to run this to the marketing director's office."

I chuckle, "I'll get that right over for you." I tell him as I stand up from my desk. I make my way over to the elevator and head down to the 3rd floor where the marketing department is located.

I stroll in, saying my hellos before knocking on the director's door. I could see his tall figure usher for me to come in through the glass walls. "I'm delivering these from business analytics." I tell him.

"You the new intern?" He asks. I nod in response, "Okay noted. What's your name?"

"Amina Bassey."

"Alright, we'll be seeing a lot of each other so I like to remember names. Thanks for dropping this off and nice to meet you."

"Of course, nice to meet you too Mr. Collins."

He chuckles, "Please, it's just Phil."

I nod, "Phil."

I make my way out of the large department. It was filled with cubicles and private meeting rooms, similar to our setup on the 5th floor. As I was walking toward the elevator I paused as I thought I saw a familiar face. I squint my eyes to try to get a closer look when I hear the elevator ding behind me.

I sigh before entering, deciding it couldn't possibly be him. No way.

The elevator takes me up, but not before stopping on the fourth floor to pick up another passenger. Joseph Taylor, the CEO of the company enters the elevator, giving me a kind smile.

"Amina, just the person I was coming to see." He greets.

My eyes widen, "Me? You were coming to see me?"

He nods, "I know today's your first day, but I wanted to speak to you about something in my office. If you don't mind."

I shake my head quickly, "Of course not sir, what can I do for you?" I ask eagerly.

"Why don't you follow me to my office for us to discuss?"

I nod, allowing him to press level 18 on the elevator panel. I remained silent as my thoughts started to wander around what the CEO could be wanting to speak to me about on my first day. I was terrified to speak again, although he didn't seem to be a mean man, his presence radiated power and commanded respect. So I stood beside him timidly until we reached the 18th floor.

Natalie, the front desk receptionist, eyes widened when I entered the office but stayed silent because I was with Mr. Taylor. Her eyes glued to the both of us as we passed Veronica's office and entered his.

"Go ahead and take a seat." He requests as he shuts the door behind him. I silently gulp, taking a seat in front of the large wooden desk. He follows suit, taking a seat in the big chair in front of me. He lets out a chuckle after taking a look at me. "You're not in trouble Amina." He assured me. I let out a breath of relief that I hadn't realized I had been holding. The expression on my face must've given away my emotions. "This is about my son, you're friends with Dominic right?"

My eyes widen, oh no.

I nod slowly, "We're neighbors and somewhat friends. Yes."

"He's been, rather difficult lately. And you're the only friend of his that I really know. Besides that awful Andre." I nod in understanding, waiting for him to continue. "I've been trying to get Dominic to attend some of our company events, as well as some family events that I host. He refuses to come to any of them. He skipped Thanksgiving with me, Christmas, and the end of the year gala."

"I'm sorry about Thanksgiving. I didn't know there were other plans."

He shakes his head, "Don't worry, that's not on you. Dominic knew." He sighs, "But what I'm getting at here is, there's another gala, and this one is very important to the company and to me. I would like it if you could try to persuade Dominic to come. You would of course be invited as well."

My eyes widen, "Oh. Of course, I could try, but I'm sorry sir I can't guarantee anything."

He nods, "I understand that. I wouldn't fault you at all if he doesn't show up but it's worth a try."

"When is this gala?"

"February 10th."

I lightly gasped, "Sir, you're not referring to the annual Innovation for Impact Gala are you?"

He nods, "That's the one. As you know it's a very important event for the company where we highlight our technological innovations and efforts that are making a positive impact in the world. It would mean a lot to me if my son for once could be present."

"Yes, I'm aware! I've only ever read about it in articles, this company has done so much in its humanitarian efforts. It would be an honor to attend, and of course, I'll talk to Dominic."

He smiles, "I knew I liked you." I blush slightly as he gets up from his seat, "I don't want to hold you too long. I know you're off at 3 and need to check in with your boss."

I nod, "Thank you for having me."

"No Amina, thank you. I hope to see you at the gala, my assistant will send you two tickets."

I smile, "Thank you, sir. I'll see you then."

I walk out of the office trying to hide the giant smile that was trying to form on my face. The Innovation for Impact Gala was a huge deal. It was like the MET Gala of the tech industry! That would mean I would be in the same room with some of the greatest minds in the industry.

The only thing standing between me and that access was Dominic Taylor.

"Amina! The CEO's office on the first day? What's going on?" Natalie exclaims as I approach her desk.

"He wanted me to do him a favor, regarding his son."

She raises a brow, "A favor?"

I nod, "He wants me to convince him to go to the Gala next month."

She chuckles, "Dominic has never been to a single gala his father has thrown. If you could get him to go you'd be a miracle worker."

I frown, "He's never gone? Do you know why?"

She shakes her head, "I know almost nothing about him besides his name and face. I'm sure you know a lot more don't you?" She asks with a smirk.

"Not too much. We just attend school together."

"Then why don't I believe you?" She asks skeptically.

I shrug, "I have to head back to my workstation though. I don't want Felix to freak out. Nice talking to you!" I rush out before she can say anything.

I make my way to the elevator, riding down to the business analytics department with my thoughts. How was I going to convince Dominic to go to an event he never goes to, at the request of his father whom he hates, when he and I aren't even speaking anymore?

The task seemed impossible, but I was going to try.

-

After the first day of the internship, I was unusually tired. Unfortunately for me, I had already made plans with the boys to go out for the evening with Kendra and Bianca. All of us were meeting up at the bowling alley to catch up after the winter holiday.

I was the last to show up, as I was short on time after my first day of work. When I arrived, Bianca was bowling as everyone behind her watched.

"Come on Bianca don't lose this for us!" Noah cheers from behind.

"Shut up you're psyching her out!" Caleb says hitting Noah on the back of the head.

Bianca gulps before making her stance, and rolling the ball across the lane. The ball rolls slowly from her timid throw, but rolls down the center, hitting a strike.

Caleb and Noah erupt into cheers as they run over to celebrate with Bianca on their winning roll. Kendra, Isaiah, Will, and Oliver groan making it clear that they were on the opposing team.

Kendra's eyes light up when she spots me, "Ami! You finally made it." She says getting up from her seat to hug me. She observes me after departing from her hug, "You look exhausted."

"I fell asleep after work, that's why I'm late." I respond with a yawn.

"Aw, we can't have a sleepy person on our team. It'll mess with our winning streak!" Noah complains as I take a seat on their side.

Caleb hits him again making him groan. "You okay Ami? You can sit the next round out if you want to rest?"

I shake my head, "Nah I'm here. Let's bowl."

The game had gone to the next round and I was the first to bowl for our team. I pick up a ball and attempt to strike down the pins, resulting in a spare.

"That was cute. Watch how a pro does it." Isaiah boasts as it's his turn to bowl. He proceeds to hit a strike, making his team cheer excitedly.

The game continued as each team went through its players till it was down to the last one. It was Caleb against Kendra, whoever scored higher for their team as we were currently tied for the last round.

Caleb bowled, gaining a strike.

Kendra bowled, also getting a strike.

"Oh come on! How are we this evenly matched?" Isaiah exclaims looking through the scoreboard on the screen.

"Can I just highlight the fact that we evenly matched you even though we started off down one player?" Noah boasts broadly.

Caleb nods in agreement, "I think that makes us winners by default."

Kendra scoffs, "Winners by default? That's not a thing."

"You'd rather take a default win over a tie?" Oliver asks.

"Why don't we just play a tiebreaker round?" I ask tiredly.

Caleb raises a brow, "Do you want to pay for the extra round?"

I shake my head, raising my hands up in defense and shutting up. Will sighs, "Can we just go get something to eat? It feels like we've been bowling for hours."

"Not till we know who really won!" Isaiah declares. He sighs, "I'm getting a manager to decide."

Kendra chuckles as he walks off. "Okay Karen!" She calls after him, making him shoot her the middle finger. "How was your first day at the internship?" She asks turning her attention to me.

"Yeah, how did it feel officially joining corporate America?" Will asks.

I sigh resting back into my seat, "It was good, just tiring as you'd expect."

"Nobody gave you any trouble right?" Caleb asks.

I chuckle, "No Caleb. No trouble at all."

He nods, "Good."

"The stupid manager said he can't decide who won. He wants us to flip a coin." Isaiah says in disappointment with a coin in his hands. "As team captain, I'll call for my team, Caleb call for yours."

"Heads." He calls nonchalantly.

Isaiah frowns, "I was going to call heads."

"Oh for goodness' sake, just play rock paper scissors or something." I say in annoyance.

Isaiah mumbles before positioning in front of his brother for a game of rock paper scissors. Caleb draws rock while Isaiah draws scissors.

"We win!" Noah exclaims as my team cheers gleefully.

"Best two out of three?" Isaiah asks as everyone begins packing up their things.

"Forget it, buddy. Let's go eat I'm starving." Will says wrapping an arm around his shoulder.

———

Should Ami bother asking Dominic about the gala??

Thanks for reading!

- AuggiePooh_