On her first morning at the company, Amara Reed arrives quietly.
She carries a modest black leather handbag, a notebook, several documents, and a laptop.
Nothing about her appearance suggests that she has come to take control of anything.
She walks through the modern corporate office and stops at an executive desk near the windows.
It has been prepared for her.
Amara places her belongings on the desk and looks around calmly.
She is taking in the environment.
The office.
The people.
The atmosphere.
And the culture she has been appointed to lead.
Then Marcus Hayes approaches.
Marcus has worked at the company for years.
He knows the office hierarchy.
Or at least, he believes he does.
He looks at Amara's belongings.
Then at her.
Without asking who she is, he picks up her notebook and documents and drops them onto another desk.
Her handbag lands beside them.
“Not here. Move your stuff.”
Amara slowly turns.
“Excuse me?”
Marcus scoffs.
“You heard me. This isn't your desk.”
Amara takes a slow breath.
“Then you could have asked.”
Marcus gives a dismissive half-laugh.
“I shouldn't have to.”
Amara looks directly into his eyes.
She says nothing.
But Marcus doesn't realize that the woman standing in front of him isn't another new employee.
She is the company's newly appointed director.
And she has just begun her first day.
Marcus folds his arms.