Chapter 7: Chapter 7: "Daring Beginning"
Queen Consolidated buzzed with its usual energy as Thea Queen stepped into the sleek, modern lobby. At sixteen, she was the youngest intern in the company's history, but her commanding presence made her seem years older. Standing at 6'1", she moved with effortless grace, her every step exuding confidence. She wore a deep emerald green crop top, the sheer fabric revealing a black lace bralette underneath. The top ended just below her bust, showcasing her toned midriff. Paired with low-rise leather pants clung to her curves, sitting dangerously low with thin crisscrossing straps holding them up, exposing deep hip cutouts, the outfit was daring yet sophisticated. Black stiletto heels added height and elegance, while her hair was styled in a sleek high ponytail. A bold red lip and minimalist gold jewelry completed the look, highlighting her striking features.
Thea bypassed the front desk entirely, heading straight for the elevators. She knew her way around—after all, this wasn't her first time navigating a corporate environment. The employees she passed glanced at her with curiosity, recognizing her as Robert Queen's daughter but unsure why she was there. She ignored the stares, her sharp green eyes focused ahead.
When she reached Walter Steele's office, his assistant, a middle-aged woman with a no-nonsense demeanor, looked up from her desk. "Can I help you?" she asked, her tone polite but slightly wary.
"Thea Queen," Thea replied, her voice calm and steady. "I'm here to see Walter."
The assistant's eyes widened slightly, but she quickly composed herself. "Of course, Miss Queen. He's expecting you. Let me just—"
Before she could finish, Walter's voice called out from his office. "Thea! Come on in."
Thea gave the assistant a polite nod and stepped into Walter's office. Walter stood from his desk, his tall, lean frame and piercing blue eyes immediately drawing her attention. He greeted her with a warm smile, his tone casual but professional. "Thea, welcome. Ready for your first day?"
Thea returned the smile, her tone calm and measured. "Absolutely, Walter. I'm looking forward to diving in."
Walter chuckled as they stepped out of his office and into the hallway. "I have no doubt you'll make quite the impression. Just… try not to overwhelm anyone too much on your first day, alright?"
Thea raised an eyebrow, a faint smirk tugging at her lips. "Overwhelm them? I was planning on observing and learning. But if they're not ready for me, that's not my problem."
Walter laughed, the sound warm and genuine. "Fair enough. But just so you know, not everyone here is used to someone as… self-assured as you."
Thea shrugged, her confidence unwavering but not overbearing. "They'll adapt. I'm here to contribute, not to conform."
Walter gave her an appraising look, his expression a mix of amusement and admiration. "No, I don't suppose you are. Just remember, Thea, this is a business environment. Confidence is great, but there's a fine line between standing out and alienating people."
Thea met his gaze, her tone serious but respectful. "I understand. I'm here to add value, not to disrupt for the sake of it."
Walter nodded, his smile returning. "Good. That's exactly what we need. Let's get started."
They walked down the sleek, glass-walled hallway of the executive floor. The hum of activity filled the air—phones ringing, keyboards clacking, and the occasional burst of laughter from a nearby office. Walter glanced at Thea, his tone casual but thoughtful. "First rule of thumb: don't let the suits intimidate you. They're just people, same as you and me. Well, maybe not *quite* like you."
Thea smirked, her tone dry. "Noted. But I've dealt with worse."
Walter chuckled. "I'm sure you have. Just remember, first impressions matter. So try to… ease them into it."
Thea raised an eyebrow, her lips curving into a faint smile. "Ease them into it? I'm a professional, Walter."
They reached the conference room where the marketing team was already assembled. Walter took his seat at the head of the table, while Thea sat beside him, her sharp green eyes scanning the room. The team members glanced at her with curiosity, clearly wondering why Robert Queen's daughter was sitting in on their meeting.
The team began their presentation, outlining their strategy and goals for a new product launch. Walter listened intently, occasionally nodding or asking clarifying questions. Thea remained silent, taking mental notes and observing how Walter interacted with the team.
When the presentation ended, Walter turned to Thea, his tone casual but probing. "Thoughts?"
Thea leaned forward, her tone calm and confident. "The strategy is solid, but I think we're missing an opportunity to leverage social media influencers. They have a massive reach, and their endorsements could significantly boost our visibility."
The room fell silent for a moment, the marketing team exchanging surprised glances. Then the team leader, a woman in her thirties with a sharp bob and a no-nonsense demeanor, spoke up. "That's… actually a great point. We've been focusing on traditional media, but social media could give us an edge."
Walter nodded, his expression thoughtful. "Agreed. Let's explore that angle. Thea, would you be willing to work with the team on this?"
Thea smiled, her tone polite but firm. "Of course. I'd be happy to contribute."
As the day drew to a close, Walter walked Thea to the elevator, his tone casual but thoughtful. "So, how was your first day?"
Thea smiled, her tone calm and measured. "It was productive. I learned a lot. Thanks for letting me shadow you."
Walter nodded, his expression warm. "Anytime, Thea. You've got a sharp mind, and I have a feeling you're going to do great things here. Just… try to give them a little time to adjust, alright? Not everyone's ready for your level of… directness."
Thea smirked, her eyes glinting with quiet confidence. "I'll keep that in mind."
As the elevator doors closed, Walter turned and made his way to Robert's office. He knocked lightly before entering, finding Robert seated behind his desk, reviewing a stack of documents.
"Walter," Robert said, looking up with a smile. "How did it go?"
Walter took a seat across from him, his tone casual but thoughtful. "She's impressive, Robert. Sharp, confident, and not afraid to speak her mind. She made some great points in the marketing meeting today."
Robert leaned back in his chair, his expression a mix of pride and curiosity. "That's my girl. But how did the team react to her?"
Walter chuckled, shaking his head. "Curious, mostly. They know who she is, but they're not sure why she's here. She handled it well, though. She's got a quiet confidence about her—like she's been here before."
Robert nodded, his tone thoughtful. "Good. She's going to need that. This is just the beginning."
Walter leaned forward, his tone serious but respectful. "You're really serious about this, aren't you? Preparing her to take over?"
Robert's expression softened, his voice filled with pride. "Absolutely. Thea's got what it takes, Walter. She's smart, driven, and she's got a vision for this company that I haven't seen in years. I want her to be ready when the time comes."
Walter nodded, his tone thoughtful. "And Oliver?"
Robert sighed, his expression tightening slightly. "Oliver's… finding his own path. He's not ready for this kind of responsibility. But Thea? She's always been ready."
Walter leaned back in his chair, his tone casual but probing. "So, what's next for her?"
Robert smiled, his tone confident. "Next week, she'll start shadowing me. I want her to see how I handle things at the top—the meetings, the decisions, the pressure. It's all part of preparing her to take over."
Walter nodded, his expression thoughtful. "She's lucky to have you, Robert. Not many fathers would trust their sixteen-year-old daughter with something like this."
Robert's smile widened, his tone filled with pride. "She's not just any sixteen-year-old, Walter. She's Thea Queen. And I have no doubt she's going to take this company to new heights."
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Thea was halfway through a bag of pretzels when she noticed the woman standing by the coffee machine. She was new—Thea could tell by the way she hesitated, her sharp blue eyes scanning the complicated controls like they were some kind of alien technology. Thea had seen that look before. Queen Consolidated's break room was a minefield of high-tech appliances, and it wasn't exactly user-friendly for newcomers.
She couldn't help but smile. The woman looked so out of place, her perfectly tailored blazer and pencil skirt at odds with the way she was glaring at the machine like it had personally offended her. There was something about her—a quiet intensity, a determination that made Thea curious. She decided to step in.
"First time with the espresso machine?" Thea asked, her tone light and friendly as she approached.
The woman glanced up, her eyes narrowing slightly as she assessed Thea. For a moment, Thea wondered if she'd overstepped, but then the woman nodded, her expression softening just a fraction. "Yeah. I'm used to the kind where you just press a button and hope for the best."
Thea chuckled, leaning in to demonstrate. "This one's a bit of a beast. Here, you just have to treat it like it's your boss—firm but respectful."
The woman laughed, a genuine sound that surprised Thea. It was nice, seeing her let her guard down, even if it was just for a moment. "Thanks. I'm Isabel, by the way."
"Thea," she replied, extending her hand. Isabel's grip was firm, almost too firm, but Thea didn't mind. It matched the rest of her—sharp, confident, and just a little intimidating. "Nice to meet you, Isabel."
As they shook hands, Isabel's gaze flicked down to Thea's outfit—a lacy black bralette that left little to the imagination, paired with a skintight leather micro-skirt that barely covered anything when she moved. The only nod to professionalism was the oversized blazer draped over her shoulders, hanging open to emphasize just how little she was actually wearing. Isabel raised an eyebrow, her tone dry but laced with amusement. "Interesting choice for the office. Is this the new dress code, or are you just setting trends?"
Thea blinked, caught off guard for a moment, but then she smirked. "Call it a personal statement. Besides, if I'm going to spend all day in meetings, I might as well look good doing it."
Isabel's lips twitched, almost like she was fighting a smile. "Fair enough. Just don't be surprised if HR starts handing out memos about 'appropriate workplace attire.'"
Thea shrugged, her tone playful. "I'll take my chances. Confidence is the best accessory, right?"
Isabel studied her for a moment, then nodded, a hint of approval in her eyes. "I'll give you that. Confidence suits you."
Thea grinned, grabbing her bag of pretzels from the counter. "Thanks. I'll take that as a compliment. See you around, Isabel."
Isabel gave her a small nod, her expression already shifting back to its usual focused demeanor. "See you around, Thea."
Thea's early graduation from college was a proud moment for the Queen family. The ceremony was held in a grand hall, filled with the hum of excited chatter and the occasional burst of applause. Robert and Moira sat in the front row, their faces glowing with pride as they watched their daughter walk across the stage.
Thea's tall frame and confident stride turned heads as she accepted her diploma, her emerald green graduation gown draped loosely over her shoulders. Beneath it, she wore a high-cut lace bodysuit with intricate detailing, featuring waist cutouts that accentuated her toned figure. The plunging neckline and sheer lace added an alluring touch, while the delicate gold chains around her waist and collarbone shimmered under the stage lights. Her long, toned legs were on full display, the outfit completed with strappy black stilettos that clicked against the stage with each step.
Oliver, Tommy, Sara, and Laurel were all in attendance, cheering loudly when her name was called. Tommy even let out a playful whistle, earning a few chuckles from the crowd. Thea caught their eyes as she descended the stage, giving them a small, triumphant wave before returning to her seat.
After the ceremony, the group gathered outside, the warm afternoon sun casting a golden glow over the campus. Thea was immediately enveloped in hugs and congratulations. Moira was the first to reach her, pulling her into a tight embrace. "I'm so proud of you, darling," she said, her voice thick with emotion. "You've worked so hard for this."
"Thanks, Mom," Thea replied, her tone warm but composed. She hugged her mother back, savoring the moment.
Robert was next, his eyes shining with pride as he clasped her shoulders. "You've accomplished so much at such a young age," he said, his voice filled with admiration. "I always knew you were destined for greatness."
Thea smiled, her tone calm but confident. "Thank you, Dad. But this is just the beginning. I have big plans for the future."
Robert chuckled, his expression a mix of pride and amusement. "Of course you do. You're a Queen, after all."
Oliver stepped forward next, pulling his sister into a bear hug. "Look at you, Speedy," he said, using the nickname he'd given her when they were kids. "College graduate before you could even legally drive. Meanwhile, I'm over here with a six-year head start and three dropouts under my belt. You're making the rest of us look bad."
Thea laughed, playfully shoving him away. "Well, someone had to pick up the slack, Ollie. Can't let the Queen family reputation rest entirely on your shoulders."
The group burst into laughter, and Oliver feigned offense, clutching his chest dramatically. "Ouch. Low blow, Speedy. Low blow."
Tommy chimed in, grinning. "She's not wrong, though. Face it, man—you're the dropout of the group. Thea's the overachiever."
Oliver shot Tommy a mock glare. "Thanks for the support, buddy."
Thea smirked, crossing her arms. "Don't worry, Ollie. There's still time for you to finish… eventually."
Oliver groaned, shaking his head. "I'm surrounded by comedians."
The group headed to a nearby upscale restaurant owned by the Queens for a celebratory dinner. The private dining room was elegantly decorated, with a long table set with fine china and sparkling water glasses. Thea sat at the head of the table, her family and friends gathered around her, their laughter and conversation filling the room.
She commanded attention in a deep red cowl-neck mini micro dress made of silky satin that barely skimmed her body. The thin spaghetti straps draped over her shoulders, while the plunging neckline dipped all the way to her midriff, leaving little to the imagination. Side cutouts exposed her waist, accentuating her toned figure, while the hemline sat daringly high just a few centimeters below her hip line. Twin waist high slits ensured every movement was fluid and teasing, revealing glimpses of her long legs with each step. A gold choker wrapped around her neck, adding a bold contrast to the sultry elegance of her outfit.
As the first course was served, Robert raised his glass of sparkling water, his voice commanding the room's attention. "To Thea," he said, his tone warm and proud. "A brilliant, determined, and fearless young woman who continues to amaze us all. May this be the first of many incredible milestones."
"To Thea!" the group echoed, clinking their glasses together.
Thea smiled, her cheeks flushing slightly at the attention. "Thank you, everyone," she said, her voice steady but touched. "I couldn't have done this without all of you. Your support means everything to me."
As the dinner progressed, the conversation turned to Thea's plans for the future. "So," Oliver said, leaning forward with a teasing grin, "what's next for the youngest Queen? World domination?"
Thea rolled her eyes but couldn't hide her smile. "Something like that. I'm thinking of diving into some independent projects for now. Maybe start a nonprofit or work on some consulting gigs. I can't officially join Queen Consolidated yet, but that doesn't mean I can't make an impact."
Robert nodded, his expression thoughtful. "You've got a sharp mind, Thea. There are plenty of ways to get involved without breaking any labor laws. You could shadow executives, attend board meetings as an observer, or even work on special projects as a consultant. We'll make it work."
Moira reached over, placing a hand on Thea's arm. "Just remember to take care of yourself, darling. You're still so young, and you deserve to enjoy this time in your life too."
Thea nodded, her tone sincere. "I will, Mom. Don't worry."
Tommy raised his glass of sparkling water, his tone playful. "To Thea—future CEO of Queen Consolidated and the most stylish person in the boardroom… once she's old enough to actually be in the boardroom."
The group laughed, and Thea shook her head, though she couldn't suppress a grin. "I'll toast to that with my sparkling water," she said, raising her glass.
Later that evening, as the dinner wound down and the group began to disperse, Thea found herself standing on the restaurant's balcony, overlooking the city skyline. The cool night air was a welcome contrast to the warmth of the celebration inside.
Oliver joined her, leaning against the railing. "You okay, Speedy?" he asked, his tone gentle.
Thea nodded, her gaze fixed on the twinkling lights of the city. "Yeah. Just… taking it all in, you know? It's a big moment."
Oliver smiled, his expression soft. "You've earned it. You've worked harder than anyone I know."
Thea turned to him, her eyes shining with gratitude. "Thanks, Ollie. That means a lot, coming from you."
He reached out, ruffling her hair affectionately. "Anytime, little sister. Just remember, no matter how big your plans get, I've always got your back."
Thea smiled, her heart swelling with warmth. "I know. And I've got yours."
As they stood there, side by side, Thea felt a sense of peace and excitement for the future. She had worked hard to get to this point, but she knew this was only the beginning. With her family and friends by her side, she was ready to take on whatever came next—even if she had to wait a little while to officially join the family business.
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**Author's Note:**
Hey everyone!
Thank you for reading, and I hope you're as excited as I am to see where this story goes. Let me know what you think, if there's anything I need to fix and I'll see you in the next chapter!