"If you really love something, you have to know how to let go." — Kim Taeyeon.
To love is not to hold too tight,
But to let the wind carry what you can’t keep.
To let the heart breathe its own rhythm,
Even when silence echoes in your chest.
Love is not a cage,
But a space where freedom finds its voice.
To let go isn’t to forget,
But to trust that love will return in its own time.
It’s the art of surrendering,
Of knowing when to step back,
And when to let the world dance without you,
Even if it means watching from afar.
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“Good morning, Sir,” I greeted the man in charge of new intakes at Summit River Corp, Mr. Ron. My morning had started with an Ice Matcha Latte—my usual choice since I can’t handle caffeine anymore. Matcha, with its natural energy-boosting properties, had proven to be a good substitute. Studies show it lasts longer than coffee, keeping you alert for up to five hours, and I needed that today. The sleepless nights over the past two days wouldn’t stop me from showing up ready. Though I wasn’t a fan of milky drinks, I preferred something fresher and fruitier, but I made an exception this time. Today had to go well.
“Sorry, can you introduce yourself first?” Mr. Ron asked.
I straightened and cleared my throat. “I’m Maelafaysha Alex, a graduate of Ravenswood University with a Bachelor of Computer Science with honours. I just finished my internship at QuantumNet Solutions.”
“Ah, yes! The genius!” Mr. Ron said, a proud smile on his face. I blinked, a little thrown off. ‘Genius’ was a term I’d never heard used for me before.
“Genius?” I repeated, unsure if I had heard him correctly. It was the first time anyone had referred to me as such, and I wasn’t sure what to make of it.
“Yeah, no one expected your team to create such a flawless software for the healthcare industry, did they?” He continued. “But since you’re here now, I guess you’ll be focusing on application development.” He chuckled. “But here’s the thing: You’ll need to pass a certain level of interviews based on your performance. If you do well, you might end up working directly under the CEO or Co-CEO. But it’s tough—look at me, I’m still stuck here.” He laughed again, and I couldn’t help but wonder about the ‘Co-CEO’ he mentioned. I’d never heard of such a title at QuantumNet.
“Co-CEO?” I asked, my curiosity piqued.
“Yeah, the CEO’s wife,” he explained casually. “You know, this company was founded by their father.”
“Oh, I see,” I nodded, trying to keep up. “But why is there no official news about her?”
Mr. Ron shrugged, a little more cautious now. “I’m not sure, honestly. But just don’t go asking about it. The CEO is kind and gentlemanly, but his wife? Let’s just say... she’s as scary as a ghost. Maybe even ghosts are scared of her.” His tone was light, but there was something in his eyes that suggested he wasn’t kidding.
Before I could say anything, he led me to a desk that clearly wasn’t my permanent spot—just a temporary one, shared with a few other new faces. It was quieter than I expected, with only me, Mr. Ron, and another new hire.
“You guys can sit here for now. It’s your first day. Feel free to get settled before Ms. Evelyn comes to show you to your departments,” he said, then left.
Less than an hour later, Ms. Evelyn arrived, a striking woman in a sharp pink-and-white suit, flanked by a man who looked like a bodyguard. I swallowed. I had completely forgotten to ask the name of the Co-CEO.
Ms. Evelyn moved with an air of authority that instantly commanded attention. Her sharp features and meticulously put-together look spoke of someone with a prestigious background, and her presence seemed to fill the room. I could tell she was someone not to be underestimated.
“Maelafaysha, welcome to Summit River Corp,” she greeted me with a smile that seemed polite, yet distant. “Let me show you to your department.”
As we made our way toward the elevator, Ms. Evelyn’s voice broke the silence. “Do you have a nickname?” she asked casually, glancing at me.
I blinked, momentarily zoning out. Her question caught me off guard. “Huh?”
She chuckled softly, clearly amused by my brief confusion. “Maelafaysha... it’s a bit long for me,” she explained with a warm yet teasing smile.
“Oh, um... Mae,” I stammered, suddenly feeling awkward. It wasn’t a nickname I was used to saying aloud, but it felt natural enough.
“I see. Mae,” she repeated, testing the sound. There was a brief pause as she pressed the button for the lift. I found myself watching her, still trying to adjust to the dynamic of this new environment. The soft hum of the elevator filled the air as we stepped inside, and I was acutely aware of how different everything felt.
I couldn’t help but notice the polished, professional atmosphere. “Wow... this building is amazing,” I said before I could stop myself, my eyes scanning the sleek surroundings.
Ms. Evelyn glanced at me, a glint of pride in her eyes. “Indeed, it is. Let me tell you a bit more about the layout while we’re on the way up. There are more than 10 departments in this building. Each floor has a different team, and every department is organized based on its specific needs.” She paused, pressing the button for the 18th floor. “You’re going to be in Software & Product Development, or SPD. I’ll show you around once we get there.”
I nodded, trying to absorb all the new information. The architecture of the building, the efficiency of the staff, and the hum of energy—it was a lot to take in. As we ascended, I felt a mixture of excitement and nervousness.
When the elevator doors opened to the 18th floor, the noise hit me instantly. It wasn’t overwhelming, but it was definitely louder than I’d expected. The floor was buzzing with activity—people walking briskly between desks, printers whirring, phones ringing, and the occasional burst of laughter. It felt like organized chaos.
Ms. Evelyn led me off the elevator and toward a set of double doors. “This is where your team is. Follow me, Mae.”
“Wow, the interior design is incredible,” I murmured, glancing around with wide eyes. I was genuinely impressed.
She nodded, smiling slightly. “I thought you’d say that. SPD is just one part of the building. You’ll get to see it all eventually. We have more than 10 departments here, each occupying different floors. Once we’re settled, I’ll give you a tour.”
She led me to another door at the end of a hallway. This one had a smaller sign that read “Software & Product Development” on it. Stepping inside felt like walking into a different world. The noise from the main floor quickly faded as the door swung open, and the atmosphere here felt quieter, though still alive with energy. The space was large, with modern workstations, sleek furniture, and an overall clean, tech-forward vibe.
“Morning, peeps!” Ms. Evelyn called out as she entered, her voice carrying across the room. “This is Maelafaysha Alex, your new team member. You can call her Mae.”
A handful of people looked up from their desks, nodding or smiling at me. I smiled back, feeling both excited and a little nervous. “Morning, everyone,” I said, trying to sound confident. “I’m Mae, and I’m really looking forward to working with all of you to create better products for the company and our users.”
Before Ms. Evelyn could continue, I leaned in slightly, lowering my voice to ask, “What’s SPD? And why do the doors have names like ‘Aetheron’ and ‘Cytrix’?”
She smiled, clearly expecting the question. “Ah, yes, I knew you’d ask. Maybe your senior can explain?”
A sudden voice spoke up from across the room. “SPD stands for Software and Product Development, but we also use short forms like PD or SD around here. And the names on the doors? Those are just to keep things organized. Each team here handles different industries. For example, our team focuses on healthcare, but other teams might work on supply chain, e-commerce, beauty products, and so on. The names help you identify which team is in charge of what. You’ll get used to it soon enough.”
I turned toward one of the employees who had spoken up, a man in his early thirties. He wore glasses, a well-groomed beard, and a simple black jacket that gave him a no-nonsense vibe. “Thank you for explaining,” I said, trying to absorb everything. “So, ‘Aetheron’ handles healthcare, for example?”
He nodded. “Exactly. Each team has its own area of focus. It helps keep things streamlined.”
“Oh, I see,” I said, feeling a bit more at ease. “Thank you, Mr...?”
“Aaron. Just call me Aaron,” he said with a nod.
“Thank you, Aaron,” I repeated, grateful for the clarity.
Ms. Evelyn motioned for me to follow her. “Alright, Mae, let’s get your stuff settled at your desk. Then I’ll show you around the rest of the department.”
I followed her down the aisle, trying to absorb everything. “So, this building is huge,” I said, my mind racing with new information. “I didn’t realize there were so many departments.”
Ms. Evelyn smiled knowingly. “It’s a lot to take in at first. But here’s the rundown: Level 1 has the café and guest areas. You’ll probably spend a lot of time there for lunch breaks. You’re on level 18 now, but we have departments all the way up to level 22. The floor you’re on is home to SPD, ITSI, and PMO—some of the busiest departments. Then there’s Customer Services and Client Support on Levels 5 and 6, and Finance, Sales Marketing, HR, and Admin are on Levels 7-11. Levels 12-21 handle everything from cloud services to IT support, data analytics, and R&D.”
I nodded, trying to keep up. “Sounds like a lot of moving parts.”
“Exactly,” she said, glancing over at me. “But you’ll get the hang of it. Now, let’s continue the tour.”
As we walked through the corridors, my mind was a whirlwind. The place was buzzing with activity, but the energy felt different—like a well-oiled machine. Everyone had a clear purpose, moving with a sort of synchronized urgency. I couldn't help but observe the sleek modern design of the building—the polished floors, the glass walls, and the low hum of conversation filling the space. It was a far cry from anything I was used to, and the sheer scale of it all was almost overwhelming.
I couldn’t stop myself from feeling a sense of awe. This is where I’m going to work, I thought, my pulse quickening a little. The pace was quick, there was so much to learn, and the pressure seemed to hang in the air. But despite the weight of it, there was something exciting about it. This place was full of ambition, and I was ready to be a part of it.
I glanced at Ms. Evelyn, who was confidently leading me through the building. Something about the way she carried herself, with such ease and authority, made me want to ask more questions. "Ms. Evelyn... What’s your exact title here?"
She looked at me, her expression slightly amused, as if she’d been waiting for this. “I’m Claire’s assistant,” she replied, her tone light but firm, as if the simplicity of her title was enough for now.
“Mr. Leo’s wife?” I blurted out before I could stop myself, the realization dawning on me. That’s where I’d heard her name before—the connection was finally clicking into place.
She raised an eyebrow, the corners of her mouth curving into a small, tight smile. “So, you’ve heard. Not many know about Mr. Leo’s wife.”
The words felt heavier than I’d intended, and I instantly regretted how blunt I’d been. A sharp pang of discomfort settled in my chest as I looked up at her. She didn’t seem offended, though. Instead, she gave me a small, knowing smile, and for a second, it felt like she was measuring me. There was something in her expression that suggested I’d stepped into a world far more complex than I had expected.
I hesitated, unsure whether I should apologize for the awkwardness of my question, but she just gave me that look, one that told me she wasn’t bothered by it. She knew more than I did about what was going on here—about Claire, Leo, and everything in between.
As we continued walking, I felt the weight of her words hang in the air. There was so much I didn’t understand about this place, about the people who ran it, and about how everything fit together. But one thing was clear—this was just the beginning of a much bigger journey.
The halls were busy with people moving in every direction, each focused on their tasks. The occasional laughter or phone call echoed off the walls, but there was a strange harmony in the chaos. I couldn’t help but observe, my mind racing with questions, my senses overloaded.
But through it all, a small thrill began to rise in me. I was about to be a part of something bigger than I had ever imagined. The question wasn’t whether I was ready for this—it was whether I could keep up.
After the tour wrapped up, Ms. Evelyn led me back to my desk, reminding me where to meet her tomorrow and outlining the next steps. "You've done well today, Mae," she said with a smile. "It's always a lot to take in on your first day, but I’m sure you’ll find your rhythm soon."
I nodded, grateful for her warm welcome, even though my mind was still buzzing with all the new information. As I grabbed my things and made my way out of the building, the cool evening air hit me, refreshing after a long day. The weight of everything I had learned was finally starting to sink in.
That night, I came home to the familiar buzz of family life. The house felt cozy and warm, the kind of comfort that instantly puts you at ease. As soon as I walked in, I was greeted by my brother Mike’s voice from the kitchen.
“Mae! How was your first day?” he called out, his face lighting up as he saw me. He was in the middle of cooking dinner, wearing his usual laid-back expression, though I could tell he was a little tired from juggling work and parenting.
“Exhausting, but good,” I replied, leaning against the doorframe. “So much to take in. It’s like drinking from a firehose, but I’m excited. How are you and Amara doing?”
Mike grinned. “We’re good. Busy, as usual, with little Emma around. She’s a bundle of joy, but definitely keeps us on our toes.”
I could hear Emma’s giggles echoing from the living room, and soon enough, Amara appeared, holding her in her arms. “Emma’s been keeping Mike on his toes, as always,” Amara said with a laugh, gently bouncing their toddler in her arms. “But we’re surviving.”
“Emma’s really grown, huh?” I said, walking over to her. The little girl was reaching for me, and I couldn’t resist picking her up. Her tiny hands grasped my cheeks, and I smiled down at her. “Hey, little one,” I cooed, brushing her hair out of her face.
“She’s a handful, but she’s our handful,” Mike said, giving me a wink. “It’s a full house now. You should come over more often. I think she misses her auntie.”
“Of course, I’ll come visit,” I replied with a smile. “You know I love spending time with her. How’s everything else? Amara, how’s work?”
Amara sighed as she set the table. “Busy, but you know how it is. I’m just trying to keep up with everything—Emma’s preschool schedule, Mike’s work, my job—it’s a lot to juggle.”
“I get it,” I said, glancing over at Mike. “How do you both manage everything with a little one? It must be a lot.”
Mike chuckled. “We make it work. No choice, really. We tag-team. Amara handles the mornings and I pick up the evenings. But we get by. Emma’s our priority, so everything else just falls into place.”
The conversation flowed easily over dinner. We talked about work, life, and funny anecdotes from Emma’s day. Emma babbled happily in her high chair, occasionally mimicking our words, making us all laugh.
“So, Mae,” Mike asked, glancing at me between bites of food. “What’s going on with work? What’s the company like?”
I paused, trying to distil the chaos of my first day into something more coherent. “It’s overwhelming. The building’s massive, and the people are nice, but it’s just a lot to process. Ms. Evelyn showed me around, and I’m in the Software & Product Development department. There’s a lot to learn, and people seem to have high expectations.”
“That’s normal,” Amara said, giving me an encouraging smile. “Starting a new job always feels like that. But from what I’ve heard about Summit River Corp, it’s a place where you can really grow. They take care of their people.”
“I think you’re right,” I said, nodding. “But honestly, it’s the behind-the-scenes stuff I’m still trying to figure out. I heard something today, and I don’t want to sound like I’m gossiping, but I was just curious.”
Mike raised an eyebrow. “What kind of stuff?”
“Well... I heard that Mr. Leo might be married. No articles about it, but I found out her name is Mrs. Claire.”
Amara gave me a knowing look. “That’s okay, Mae. Just focus on your job, and let everything else unfold naturally.”
I sighed in relief. “Thanks, Amara. I’ll try to keep my head down and focus.”
“Good plan,” Mike added. “And just remember, if you ever need to vent or talk about work, we’re here. We’ve got your back.”
Dinner continued with more light-hearted conversation. By the time we finished, Emma had already started to doze off in her high chair, her tiny hands curled into little fists.
“Looks like someone’s ready for bed,” I said with a grin, carefully lifting her out of her seat.
Mike chuckled. “Yeah, she’s been running around all day. We’ll take her up to bed soon. Thanks for hanging out with us tonight, Mae. You know we love having you around.”
“I love being here,” I said, feeling warmth fill my chest. “You guys are my anchor. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”
The evening wound down with more quiet conversations. I helped clean up the dishes, and then, after a long day, I finally retreated to my room, reflecting on everything that had happened. It was a lot to absorb, but I was determined to make the most of my time at Summit River Corp—and hopefully, the path ahead would start to make more sense as I went along.
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Summit River Corp Organization Tree and Information
 Founder: Mr. Theodore Linwood (65)
 Co-Founder: Mr. Alexander Leo Anders (62)
 CEO: Mr. Leo Anders (32)
• Description: The eldest son of Alexander Leo Anders and current CEO of Summit River Corp. Leo took the reins of the company after his father’s retirement, ushering in a new era of innovation.
• Personality: Visionary, charismatic, and highly ambitious, Leo leads the company with a focus on growth and technological advancement. He balances ambition with a modern leadership style.
 Assistant to CEO: Mr. Ethan Connors (28)
• Description: The highly efficient, charming right-hand man to Leo. Ethan ensures the CEO’s time and priorities are perfectly managed while adding a bit of humour to otherwise serious situations.
• Personality: Quick-witted, dependable, and diplomatic, Ethan is a master at navigating the politics of a busy office.
Co-CEO: Ms. Claire Linwood-Anders (31)
• Description: Leo’s equally brilliant wife and the Co-CEO of Summit River Corp. Claire oversees the company’s operational structure and ensures everything runs efficiently. She’s known for her perfectionism and no-nonsense attitude.
• Personality: Assertive, analytical, and composed. Claire is the calm, strategic thinker to balance Leo’s bold energy. While she’s tough at work, she shares a softer side with those closest to her.
Assistant to Co-CEO: Ms. Evelyn Harris (29)
• Description: Evelyn is the essential assistant to both Leo and Claire, handling administrative matters, coordinating schedules, and keeping the team on track.
• Personality: Efficient, charming, and a bit sarcastic at times, Evelyn manages to make the busiest days seem less chaotic with her calm demeanour.
 CFO/COO: Mr. Gabriel Vaughn (30)
 CTO: Dr. Ivy Nakamura (29)
 CMO: Ms. Penelope “Penny” Steele (30)