Elevator ep 1

[Basement parking of CodeCove, an IT company in New York City.]

Xavier steps out of his car, adjusting his tie as he looks up at the towering office building. It's his first day after being transferred here.

He enters the building and takes the elevator to the 9th floor, where his office is located.

Xavier approaches the watchman’s desk, signs in his details, and is guided to the Vice President's (VP) office.

[VP's Office]

/Looking up from his desk with a sharp, no-nonsense expression./ Ah, Xavier. Welcome to CodeCove.

Xavier

/Nods politely/ Thank you, sir.

/Leaning back in his chair, clasping his hands together/ Look, in this office, there's no place for emotions. We value results above all else.

VP stands and walks around his desk, gesturing for Xavier to follow.

Today's your first day, right? Let me share some good news—I'm sending you to Germany next month for Project X. It's a high-priority project, and a good team leader will make it successful. That's why you're here.

Xavier

/Nods again, listening intently./

I’ve worked on this project myself. It's nearly complete, but there’s room for improvement. That’s where you come in.

Xavier

Understood, sir. Though I’ve heard there are some internal issues with the project.

/Claps Xavier on the shoulder with a firm pat./ Ignore those rumors. Focus on the task at hand.

VP leads Xavier out of his office and begins introducing him to team members around the floor.

[Open Office Area]

/Introducing Xavier to his team members as they pass by desks/ Everyone, meet Xavier. He’s your new team leader for Project X. Treat him well.

The team exchanges polite greetings as Xavier acknowledges them with a composed nod

Before diving into his new role, Xavier is instructed to meet with HR to complete some formalities.

[HR Cabin]

Xavier walks in, scanning the room. His steps halt abruptly as he spots Ria, seated at the desk, her attention on some paperwork. Recognition flashes across his face.

Ria

/Looking up, equally stunned/ Xavier?

Xavier

/Recovers quickly, his expression neutral/ yes

They had met months ago under unexpected circumstances.

Flashback

Xavier is lounging on a bench, casually chewing gum, looking aloof. Ria approaches, holding her phone.

Ria

Excuse me, could you take a picture of me? /She hands Xavier her phone and strikes a cheerful pose/

Xavier

Hm. /Takes the phone with minimal interest, turns on the camera but switches to selfie mode. Blowing a bubble with his gum, he snaps a selfie of himself instead of Ria./

Ria continues posing, oblivious.

Xavier

/Hands the phone back without a word/

Ria

/Checks her phone eagerly and sees the selfie. Her expression shifts from excitement to disbelief/ What the—IDIOT!

Xavier

/Raises an eyebrow, popping the gum/ What did you say?

Ria

I said I asked you to click my pictures, not yours!

Xavier

Hm. /Extends his hand/ Give it back.

Ria

/Hesitant but confused by his calmness/ Uh… okay. /Hands him the phone again/

Xavier

/With zero urgency, positions the phone like he’s about to take a shot, but fumbles and drops it into a fish tank below the bench/ Tch.

Ria

/Gasps in horror, covering her mouth/ My phone!!!

Xavier

/Nonchalantly leans over, as if considering retrieving it, but doesn’t rush/

Ria

/Snatches the phone from the fish tank before Xavier even makes an effort/ Are you kidding me?!

Xavier

/Deadpan, chewing his gum/ Sorry. /He walks away without another glance, poker-faced/

Ria

/Shaking her phone furiously, water dripping everywhere, she yells after him/ YOU DOG!

Xavier doesn’t look back, a faint smirk playing on his lips as he continues walking.

Flashback ends

Ria

/Smiling faintly/ Team leader, huh? That’s good news, isn’t it?

Xavier

/Shrugs slightly, his usual reserved demeanor in place/ Hmm.

An awkward silence fills the air for a moment before Ria slides a document across the desk for him to sign.

Ria

Here’s the document you need to sign. Welcome to CodeCove, Xavier.

Xavier

/Signs the document, his gaze lingering on her briefly before stepping back/ Thanks.

Ria

Now you'll work here, right? Let's see.

As Xavier leaves the cabin, there’s a flicker of something unspoken between them—