der sat with his laptop open in front of him, eyes scanning over the financial reports for Pr

ill there. She had been at it for hours, sorting data, recalibrating projections, and

grown accustomed to long hours, but seeing her pour hersel

rcefulness; it was something deeper, so

s promotion. He had heard snippets in the hallways and se

ed at favoritism, and a few, bolder than the re

ad earned her place, not because of undue influence. Yet the rumors p

w his attention. "Come in,"

he hour. "I wanted to review the latest projections with you before tomorrow's review. I adjusted th

ss his desk. Their hands brushed briefly, a fleeting to

his pulse, focusing instead on the n

" she explained, her voice calm but filled with conviction. It

ctions make a stronger case. The board will push back on the upfr

is a cost-benefit analysis with three alternative rollout scenarios. If they want a mo

five steps ahead. "I like it," he said, his voice low and sincere. You've buil

lt lighter. "I hope so. This project feels impor

e more than anyone expected. It's time

fingers fidgeting slightly. "Tha

ed. "You've ear

rged in a way that neither of them acknowledged aloud.

o leave, she hesita

irst name. She rarely used it, alway

es

fully. "Have you... heard what peop

pen down, his expression hardening. "I'

at they think about me, but I worry

faint smirk. "Let me worry about tha

ght but resolut

, his voice quieter this time. "Don't let the

ent, he thought she might say something else, but she o

her age. The pressure of the whispers and the board's scrutiny would've unraveled most people,

ng was dark. Only a few lights remained on in

walked toward the light. The door was slightly a

her desk, taken a

re," he said, st

the logistics plan," she replied,

arms crossed. "It's almost midnight

eyes widening slightly. "I d

g shadows across his sharp features. "You can't do every

er the papers in front of her. "I just...

n't achieved in exhaustion. You'v

felt electric momentarily. Something un

nally, breaking the te

gering in the doorway for a moment lon

," she rep

ed. He told himself it was just professional admirat

she wasn