Not first, but the best...

The car was filled with calm silence as Dan drove Jane home. The rain outside matched the soft sadness in Dan's eyes.

Jane, smiling warmly: You don't have to overthink, Dan. I'm here for you.

Dan, softly: Thank you, Jane. I don't know what I'd do without you.

As the car slowed in front of her apartment, Jane looked out the window for a moment before speaking.

Jane, thinking: You know... I had two relationships before. When I was still studying. They weren't serious though.

Dan, curious: Really?

Jane, smiling a little: Yeah. And then... I met Von. I thought he was the one. I had a little crush on him... maybe because he was a German. We met when I joined my first company here.

Dan listened quietly, his heart sinking a little as he heard Von's name.

Jane, voice low: He was toxic. But I didn't mind. I loved him so much. Still... he broke up with me. He didn't even tell me he had to move to Germany forever. He just... left.

Dan: You didn't deserve that.

Jane, smiling sadly: I was broken for months. Cruz helped me a lot to heal. Then I joined Kein...

Dan, curious: How did you meet Cruz?

Jane, with small laugh: She was my roommate when I first came to North America. We clicked instantly. Like... true besties.

Dan chuckled softly: you guys are really good friends!

Jane: I moved to this apartment because it's near to Kein. Cruz stayed there with her new roommate. But my roommate is moving out. So Cruz can move in here. And I have no connection with this roommate. She's busy with her own life.

Dan: I was wondering... isn't Kein really far from her appartment? It must be expensive every day.

Jane, nodding: Yeah. So I am hoping for my roommate to move fast. And... So... I am going Dan. Good bye.

Dan leaned over, kissed her softly on the cheek, and waved goodbye. Jane smiled, feeling butterflies as she walked into her building.

~the next day~

The next morning at the office, Cruz walked to Jane's desk with her usual bright energy.

Cruz: Good morning, bestie!

Jane, smiling big: Morning, girl!

Dan, from beside Jane: Morning, Cruz.

Cruz smiled and sat at her desk. Sam, sitting in the desk next to her, caught a glimpse of Cruz and immediately straightened up, heart beating fast.

Sam, a little nervous: Um... hey Cruz. I have a small design task today...And Mr.Rivera told me to get your input. I hope he told you already about today's task. Did Petra send it to you?

Cruz, nodding: yeah, Petra is the coordinator right. And Mr.Rivera yesterday told me clearly that, as a strategist I should be working with the designer.

Sam, smiling: yeah. We should be like a team inside the team...

Sam explained about the campaign theme that he already started designing. Cruz listened carefully, giving her ideas with ease.

Cruz: You should change the color scheme and I will send you the taglines that will connect emotionally. You can do graphical designs in it now. I will type and send you the taglines to your mail.

Sam, blinking his eyes: Wow. You're seriously amazing, you know that?

Cruz, laughing: Are you trying to make me touch the sky by your compliments?

Sam, joking playfully: If I don't, someone else might steal you first.

Cruz laughed, her eyes sparkling, and Sam felt like he won a trophy.

From Petra's desk, she watched with a tight smile. After a second, she got up and walked over to Sam.

Petra, sweet voice: Sammy... Can you come to my desk? I think there are some issues with the sale poster you designed yesterday. I have to send it to Mr.Rivera soon.

Sam glanced once at Cruz, then followed Petra. At Petra's desk, he spoke quickly.

Petra: I think the discount offer tagline you used in the sale poster is not catchy. And the design is also flat.

Sam, after a sigh: The new strategist, Crystal just joined yesterday. Also Mr.Rivera told me when Zara resigned, that I will be having simple works like this which does not require strategist that much. You can send it to Mr.Rivera. it's just a discount poster for social media.

Petra: oh, okay! And Sammy... You'll come to my birthday party tomorrow, won't you? I will send time in our office group.

Sam: uhm, I'll try to be there..

Without waiting for more, he walked back to his desk. Petra's smile faded, her eyes watching Sam and Cruz laughing together again. A silent jealousy boiled inside her.

Meanwhile, across the office, Sally, the senior manager, smirked as she approached Jane's desk. Everybody was shocked to see senior manager at their team's hall.

Sally, cold: Jane. I have a new project for you. You'll handle it alone. It's... a bit of a mess. But I'm sure you'll survive.

Jane, amused: uhm, sure Mrs.Maxette!

Sally smiled and went back to her cabin.

Dan, stepping closer to Jane, whispered with guilt: This is happening because of me. I'm sorry, Jane.

Jane: No, Dan. Your problem is mine also. I can handle anything if it's for you.

Dan clenched his fists and walked to Sally's office.

Quietly, he turned on recording in his phone before entering.

Dan, calm: Can I ask Mrs.Maxette... why is Jane getting all the impossible projects?

Sally, scoffing: Of course! It's because she's your girlfriend, Dan. I'll torture her as much as i can. I will just slowly increase the intensity.

Dan, stopped the recording after getting the proof. Sally noticed and laughed.

Sally, cold: So that's why you called me with respect. You wanted a proof! Let's see how far you go.

Back at her desk, Jane was still smiling, focused on her work, with Dan watching her..... She felt stronger than ever. Jane worked hard with Dan's support.