Reflection

ft r

ight slipped ac

m. R

Her chest rose with a bre

blin

glass. No h

... in

ways were. Her favourite mug - the one with the

buzzed b

AM. T

it her lik

day of he

thing had beg

unaware of Malik's lies, Cathy's envy, or

ched for the phone. A messag

ri

in. Proud of

art tw

was

econd

reb

ly. Like stepping into a life that had onc

ed to th

Strong. Glowing. Eyes filled

she would n

she would ch

, she woul

her skin through the w

God. I won't

, heart pounding in silent gratitude. B

room and picke

time to

rst. Her thumbs moved quickly

el

er with me. I just spoke to the director. There's an opening

e, smiled softl

could rise in her throat, she

el

ed you said you've always wanted i

e

t. The bai

ng - ambition always m

it was kindness

t was a loaded invitat

y onto the bed and let out

both come,"

ked toward the

se...

gers scrolling, she found the song - the one she used to

e turned th

it her in

sudden burst

d unexpected - and le

lders, then her arms stretched out w

da

essy, sunlight sli

no

not

at this

t for

ad been betray

had been murder

ne who sto

soft shuffle of polished shoes on tile, the distan

ion desk, clipboard in hand, her face calm. But i

ging them together

em had any idea wh

bun, her cream blouse tucked into a charcoal

r with open arms. "Oh my God, thank you

hugging her back with measured warmth. "

u're the best. Ser

on't. I just... thoug

ed at the

ue, Malik

e suit. He scanned the lobby with his usual s

hone and walking toward her. "You didn't

in to kiss

shifted - j

n cau

ised grace, "this is Cathy. My best friend fro

is hand. "Pleasu

oo. Thanks again for b

breathe, then added

alik is my

e it

yes didn't blink. She watched Cathy closely. Watched the way her smile st

kled, pulling Evelyn g

That's... adorable. You

e?" Evel

cause she remembered how this story ended the first time. Wi

in thi

wasn't the fool wa

e'd built the

had just

ice - a favourite lunch spot for employees. It was quiet, a little upscale, with s

t was Malik, relaxed in his button-down shirt, jacket off. On her left, Cathy - smiling,

d, laughing. "Exploded. All over the HR manager. I ju

y, sipping her drink.

ard Cathy. "That sounds like

ed. "My life

d, just slightly. How Cathy's lips parted a bit too long in response. It

yn saw e

mour," she said casually

at her. "Yo

faintly. "That's probably why

d. "We're jus

to be around normal people for once. I

ad, amused by the ir

led wrap for Evelyn. Conversation flowed easily. They talked about college memories, Malik's a

lyn's calm exterio

anced over every few minutes, eyes just a little too curious when Cathy spoke. They

wasn't st

s guid

n together?" Cathy asked as th

ring before Malik could. She lo

he back of his neck. "Y

r when we spoke earlie

everywhere. Evelyn doesn't need an in

mpliment, but her eyes

y drawn to hi

alise how easily i

g it from the fr

s and sharing dessert. Cathy offered Malik the last bite of

d back, soak

e. Every ech

rnoon sun, Malik walked ahead to take a wor

oftly, "he's sweet. I ca

her with a perfec

said. "He's...

iet when Evelyn r

folders in her arms. The air smelled of printer ink and lemon disinfectant. She walked

gh the HR documents for onboardi

in before the

y looped around Sandra's waist. Sandra clung to him like the office belonged

the admin te

said with a grin, "Alright,

ied down as

ontinued. "Management's treating everyone to a

ited chatter imm

Then, calmly, she returned her ga

asing smile, tightening his arm around Sandra's w

!" and "Congratul

Another clapped lo

n's shoulder and waved her hand, fak

hed. "Of co

whispers. One intern

didn't

ng a line in yellow. She smiled politely when someone looke

ap. Let the

s changes wh

r desk, whispering, "He's good-loo

smile, eyes never

ave no

ing their bags, applying lip gloss, refreshing cologne, buzzing about the dinner like it

she felt t

ensive, su

nd

e that high, sugary

turned

the kind women wear when they're marking territory. Her dress was a tight

n't wait," Evel

"You know, Evelyn... I think it's sweet how dedic

lifting her gaze with calm clarity. "Thank

a's face wavered,

e reco

you deserve it. Honestly, I told Zarien from da

The dig was wr

yn s

ks. No distractions. Just two wome

u told him?" Eve

er head. "Among

small, unbothered

e's still lis

ndra without another word, he