LIGHTNOVELWORLD Chapter 6: Smithers Group (1)
Darren's bike screeched to a halt as he pulled into the parking lot of Smithers Group. He leaned forward, exhaling slowly, before sliding his helmet off.
Then, he lifted his head. 'Here I am again,' he thought. 'Ten years back.'
For a moment, he stared at the company's emblem ingrained into the shining stone wall ahead of him. It was a not-so-creative adjoining of the letters S and G, standing for Smithers Group.
Sighing, he got down from the bike, placed the helmet into its rear compartment, and adjusted his faded blazer. Instead of hurrying into the building, he took a while to stand and watch.
The nostalgia hit bitter and strong. By the time of his death, the Smithers Group headquarters had already received massive refurbishments and redesigns. They had changed the bland SG logo to a star with an S torn into it, and the building was far more modern than it was now.
But even now, it still towered over him like a monument of vanity. The exterior was made of reflective, pristine glass, with geometric patterns of steel framing the rectangular windows.
Even at this point, Smithers Group was already among the epitomes of prestige, well-known as a beacon for industry leaders.
The company had built its empire on financial consultancy and investment strategies, managing the portfolios of the wealthiest elites. Darren used to be awestruck by its grandeur, the sheer power it wielded in the world of commerce. It was why he had been so happy when he landed the paid internship.
But now... standing before it, he felt only disdain.
'It all started from this place, didn't it?' he muttered in his thoughts. 'After everything I gave them... they threw me to the wolves.'
Memories of his younger self flooded his mind: how thrilled he had been, how proud his mother was. But those memories soured quickly, tainted by betrayal, exploitation, and dismissal.
Most importantly, his death.
With one steadying breath, Darren held his suitcase tightly and walked into the building.
The inside was a bit difficult to recognize, seeing that it had been years. He did his best not to act too confused, but the lobby was buzzing with activity.
Men and women in fine suits walked up and down purposefully across the glossy marble floors. The ceiling stretched high above, adorned with decorative bulbs that illuminated the space brightly.
Darren recognized the large screen on the wall displaying the stock market ticker alongside promotional clips boasting the company's accomplishments.
He moved through the space like a ghost, trying not to draw too much attention. It wasn't difficult, as people brushed past him without a glance, their conversations flowing around him.
When someone did notice him, it was only to murmur something under their breath or cast a judgmental glance his way.
He finally made his way to the reception desk, where he recognized the young receptionist. She didn't last long in this job, he recalled, with her sharp eyelashes and perfectly styled hair.
She glanced up from her computer, and her expression soured as her eyes landed on Darren.
"Late again, Steele?" she sneered at him. "You ever good for anything?"
Darren didn't respond. The stupid girl's going to get fired before the month ends, he thought. He only recognized her because of how often he'd shown up late and she'd given him stick like she owned the place.
He picked up the pen and signed his name in the register. Without a word, he walked past her, heading to the elevators.
During the uneven elevator ride to the financial department, he spent the time in his thoughts, pondering how strange it felt to be around this time, seeing people he hadn't seen in ten years.
When the doors slid open, Darren stepped into the main office hall, where dozens of interconnected offices branched off. The air was filled with the low hum of conversations, the clicking of keyboards, and occasional laughter.
Ignoring the sideways glances, Darren made his way to a modest office tucked at the end of the corridor. The plaque on the door read Sandy Meyers – Financial Assistant. Pushing the door open, he stepped inside.
Sandy Meyers sat at her desk, her scarlet hair pulled into a neat bun. Her round glasses perched on her nose as she reviewed a spreadsheet on her computer. She looked up as Darren entered, a warm smile breaking through her otherwise tired expression.
"Look at you, Darren," she said, leaning back in her chair. "You finally made it. Gareth's been breathing down my neck about those reports you're working on. He's not exactly the patient type, you know."
Darren smiled faintly. "Yeah... that. Don't worry, I managed to get it done last night."
Sandy shook her head, chuckling. "You're a workaholic, you know that, right? You were barely done with it yesterday."
Darren just smiled awkwardly.
She looked at him for a while longer, then said, "Just don't impress the man too much, so he doesn't start thinking of replacing me with you. Now off you go, and like I always tell you, try not to take anything he says to heart."
Darren could only stare. It had been at least seven years since he last saw Sandy.
She had been abruptly and suspiciously fired back then. There were talks that she'd been involved in some kind of scandal with the CEO. Some even said hush money was involved. Darren vividly remembered the aftermath in the office.
Back then, he had felt conflicted, guilty even, about stepping into her role. She had been the only one who was kind and fair to him. She was older — at least ten years older, the same age as his past self — and had always had a motherly, mentoring demeanor toward him.
Seeing her now felt good. At least he didn't hate everyone in this damned company.
He wanted to say something, but the door burst open, and a whirlwind of blonde hair and energy stormed in.
"Darren!"
Lily's voice rang out, light and melodic, and before he could react, she threw her arms around him.
He froze, his body stiff as her warmth enveloped him. Her face pressed against his shoulder, her perfume — a floral, sweet scent he remembered all too well — filled his senses.
"Where have you been?" she asked, pulling back just enough to look at him, her blue eyes sparkling with genuine excitement. "I've been waiting the whole morning for you."
Darren's throat tightened. He couldn't speak.