CHAPTER THIRTY THREE THE CHADS OF PREPARATION
your initiative and your passion for your work.”
Nia felt a weight lift from her shoulders. Finally, someone was listening to her. “Thank you for hearing met out, Mr. Allistair. I know I’m just a janitor, but-
“You’re not ‘just‘ anything,” Leon interrupted. “Every role in this company is important. Never forget that.”
As Nia turned back to her. cleaning, feeling a renewed sense of purpose, she didn’t notice Leon making at note in his planner, his brow furrowed in thought.
When she left the office, closing the door softly behind her, Leon sat back in his chair, deep in
contemplation. He pulled out his phone, scrolling through his contacts until he found the name he was looking for: Mr. Harlow.
Meanwhile, Nia made her way to the supply closet, her mind racing. Had she said too much? Would Leon think she was overstepping her bounds? Or could this be the break they needed?
CHAPTER THIRTY TOUL UNEXPECTED CHALLENGES
CHAPTER THIRTY–FOUR–UNEXPECTED CHALLENGES
As she organized cleaning supplies, a small spark of hope flickered in her chest. Maybe, just maybe, things were about to change.
–
The following morning, Nia arrived at Colossius Tech with a mix of trepidation and determination. The events of the previous day her disastrous meeting with Mr. Harlow and her candid conversation with Leon Allistair – weighed heavily on her mind. As she pushed her cleaning cart through the lobby, she noticed an unusual buzz of activity.
A group of IT workers, their lanyards swinging nervously, approached her. Nia recognized a few faces but couldn’t recall their names. They huddled around her, speaking in hushed tones.
“Uh, hey Nia,” one of them, a lanky guy with thick–rimmed glasses, started. “We, uh, heard about what you’re doing. You know, with the budget stuff.”
Nia felt her heart rate quicken. How had they found out? “Oh?” she replied, trying to keep her voice neutral. “What exactly did you hear?”
Another IT worker, a woman with curly red hair, chimed in. “We heard you’re trying to fight the budget. cuts. That you’ve got data and everything.”
Nia nodded slowly, unsure where this was going. “That’s right. I’ve been trying to show how valuable our work is.”
The first IT worker fidgeted with his lanyard. “Well, we were thinking… maybe we could help? You know, with the data stuff.”
“Help?” Nia echoed, surprised. “How do you mean?”
The group exchanged glances, seeming to silently debate who should speak next. Finally, a shorter man- with a neatly trimmed beard stepped forward.
“We could create a database,” he offered. “For all the documentation you’ve been collecting. It would make it easier to organize and analyze the data.”
Nia’s eyes widened. “Really? You’d do that?”
The bearded man nodded, then quickly added, “I mean, if you want. We don’t want to overstep or anything.
“No, no, that would be amazing.” Nia assured them. “But… why? Why would you want to help?”
The group shuffled awkwardly. The woman with red hair spoke up again. “Look, we might be in IT, but we see how hard you guys work. And honestly? This place would fall apart without you.”
“Yeah, the lanky guy agreed. “Remember that time someone spilled an entire pot of coffee in the server. room? You guys were there in minutes, cleaning it up before it could do any real damage.”
Nia felt a lump forming in her throat. She’d had no idea their work was so appreciated.
“Plus,” the bearded man added, “if they can cut your budget so easily, who’s to say they won’t come for
Ours next?”
The others nodded in agreement.
“Okay,” Nia said, taking a deep breath. “What exactly did you have in mind?”
