Chapter 15 - The View from the Top
On Monday morning, I walked through the main glass doors of the corporate headquarters at 8:00 AM.
The lobby was bustling with morning energy. Employees were grabbing coffee, chatting by the elevators, and preparing for the week ahead.
As I walked toward the central elevator bank, a young female intern in a plain, oversized suit stepped into the lobby carrying a tray of coffee cups. She tripped slightly on the marble floor, a splash of coffee spilling onto the polished brass elevator doors.
She gasped, her face flushing with pure panic as she saw me approaching.
"I'm so sorry, Madam CEO!" the intern stammered, her hands shaking violently. "I'm so sorry! I'll clean it right now!"
I stopped beside her, reached into my coat pocket, and pulled out a clean linen handkerchief.
I gently wiped a drop of coffee from the young woman's sleeve, then handed the handkerchief to her with a warm, genuine smile.
"Accidents happen," I said gently. "What's your name?"
"Sarah, ma'am," she whispered, her eyes wide with shock. "I... I'm a new intern in marketing."
"Welcome to the company, Sarah," I said, pressing the elevator call button.
The glass doors chimed open. I stepped inside and held the door open with my hand, looking out at her with a gentle nod.
"Are you going up?" I asked softly.
Sarah blinked, looking at the executive elevator, then at me. "Ma'am... interns aren't allowed—"
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"In this company, Sarah," I smiled, holding the door wide, "everyone takes the same elevator. Come on in."
Sarah smiled through her tears, stepped into the bright, glass elevator beside me, and together, we rode all the way to the top.
