Det var en kold vinterdag på kontoret, men indenfor var der varme og julesweatre.

It was a cold winter day at the office, but inside there was warmth and Christmas sweaters.

Atriumet var pyntet med glitrende lyskæder og en stor juletræ.

The atrium was decorated with sparkling light chains and a large Christmas tree.

Luften duftede af krydrede kager, og julemusik spillede blødt i baggrunden.

The air smelled of spicy cakes, and Christmas music played softly in the background.

Mikkel stod nervøst ved siden af det store juletræ.

Mikkel stood nervously beside the large Christmas tree.

Han kastede et hurtigt blik rundt i rummet.

He cast a quick glance around the room.

Han ønskede at imponere Lars, finansdirektøren, men også at være en del af kontorets sociale scene.

He wanted to impress Lars, the finance director, but also to be part of the office's social scene.

Han trak vejret dybt og gik roligt hen mod den muntert snakkende gruppe, der inkluderede Sofie.

He took a deep breath and calmly walked toward the cheerfully chatting group that included Sofie.

Sofie var den livlige HR-chef, der havde planlagt festen.

Sofie was the lively HR manager who had planned the party.

Hun hilste på alle med et stort smil og en varm krammer.

She greeted everyone with a big smile and a warm hug.

Mikkel følte sig mere sikker ved at stå ved siden af hende.

Mikkel felt more confident standing next to her.

Han håbede, at hun kunne hjælpe ham.

He hoped she could help him.

"Kom nu, Mikkel!"

"Come on, Mikkel!"

sagde Sofie, og klappede ham venligt på skulderen.

said Sofie, patting him kindly on the shoulder.

"Du arbejder jo så tæt sammen med Lars, snak bare med ham."

"You work so closely with Lars, just talk to him."

"Ja, men det er lettere sagt end gjort," svarede Mikkel og kiggede på sine sko.

"Yeah, but that's easier said than done," replied Mikkel, looking at his shoes.

Kort efter nærmede Lars sig.

Shortly after, Lars approached.

Han stod med et alvorligt udseende og talte med en gruppe kolleger.

He stood with a serious look, talking with a group of colleagues.

Pludselig skete det uventede.

Suddenly, the unexpected happened.

Sofie vendte sig hurtigt og splattede sin gløgg på Lars' jakke.

Sofie turned quickly and accidentally spilled her gløgg on Lars' jacket.

Åh nej, tænkte Mikkel, hjertet i halsen.

Oh no, thought Mikkel, heart in his throat.

Dette var ikke det indtryk, han ønskede at efterlade.

This was not the impression he wanted to leave.

Undskyldende tog Sofie en serviet, men inden situationen blev anspændt, kom Mikkel med en hurtig bemærkning.

Apologetically, Sofie took a napkin, but before the situation got tense, Mikkel made a quick remark.

"Ser det ud til, at jakken din er blevet overbelastet, ligesom mine Excel-ark?"

"Does it seem like your jacket has been overloaded, just like my Excel sheets?"

Lars stoppede et øjeblik og brød ud i latter.

Lars paused for a moment and burst into laughter.

"Godt set," sagde han med en nyfundet varme i stemmen.

"Good point," he said with newfound warmth in his voice.

"Måske kan vi bruge det til vores næste rapport."

"Maybe we can use that for our next report."

Lars kiggede nu interesseret på Mikkel.

Lars now looked interested at Mikkel.

"Jeg har hørt, at du har gode idéer om det nyeste projekt.

"I’ve heard that you have good ideas about the latest project.

Fortæl mig mere."

Tell me more."

De stod og talte længe, mens festen summede videre omkring dem.

They stood and talked for a long time, while the party buzzed around them.

Mikkel følte sig mere rolig, hans selvsikkerhed voksede.

Mikkel felt more relaxed, his confidence growing.

Han behøvede ikke altid at være perfekt.

He didn't always have to be perfect.

En ærlig bemærkning og lidt mod kunne række langt.

An honest remark and a little courage could go a long way.

Mikkel fik en uventet ven i Lars, og han indså, at hans uformelle tilgang kunne åbne nye døre.

Mikkel made an unexpected friend in Lars, and he realized that his informal approach could open new doors.

Han sluttede festen ved at nyde sig selv, grinet med kollegaer, og uden frygt for flere social blundere.

He ended the party by enjoying himself, laughing with colleagues, and without fear of any more social blunders.

Hans øjne skinnede med nyfødt selvtillid, mens han kiggede på det lysende juletræ.

His eyes shone with newfound confidence as he looked at the glowing Christmas tree.

Og som aftenen faldt på, indså Mikkel, at han havde lært noget vigtigere end tal.

And as the evening wore on, Mikkel realized he had learned something more important than numbers.

Han havde lært at tro på sig selv og tage chancer, både på arbejdet og til fest.

He had learned to believe in himself and take chances, both at work and at social gatherings.