Reflection

hts flicked off, computers asleep. The only sound was the distant buzz of the air

the corner o

39

s lifted

di

t buried it beneath more important thoughts. After all,

a moment, eyes fixed on nothing,

zzed on the

th

? Everyone's

words blinked at her, full of

slow, unbothered, an

e elevator and p

slid open

eck her makeup. She just stood there, arms crossed loo

lobby, she stepped out calmly,

pressed against her skin as she pulled

Golden Seou

spot - loud, fragrant, always

he slid into the backseat, letting h

d off, she looke

all alre

g her name without ever kn

y'd think they were

t text Ca

dn't n

r presence whe

e impor

l the storm

. The scent of grilled meat and sesame oil floated through

of soju and iced tea. At the head of the table, Zarien sat with Sandra curled close to his side, chatting wit

the restaurant slid op

cked softly against the tile floor, her hair framed neatly over one

dipped slightly. Heads turned. Cathy nu

th

e cut through

re you

tation. It held the edge of someone u

yn didn'

, calm as ever,

to finish up a

empty seat across the table,

he added, sitting gently, li

t's

a beat longer tha

e room

glass. The conv

Evelyn had changed. She didn't come in as the

e already knew the

fied them with

eam rising with bursts of garlic and soy. Laughter echoed, drinks

ot Sa

was tight, her laughter a little too loud. Every time Zarien looked at Evelyn

y, she

enough to hush nearby chatter, "since this is your

yes t

rom her plate slow

ss. "To Evelyn... the quiet, loyal, always-in

Cathy's smile faltered.

blink

seat with her glass

toward Sandra,

e said, voice s

e spotlight is a threat

. Even Zarien s

cracked - jus

glass gently agai

er, resuming her meal li

ishes were served, Zarien stood quietly and walked behind

e with me. F

r her to agree. H

owly wiped her ha

ross the pavement. Streetlights cast a glow over the s

r, one hand in his pocket, the o

ed, he spoke with

ve ch

"People do that when they

asn't necessary in there. Sand

gh. "Sandra doesn't know how t

ser. "Why are

am I d

ou're above it all. Like nothing touches you any

pression di

d. Calm. Crisp. "Not

im. His ja

e. "You chose your side. I've simply

ce stretched

stepped back. "You think you

e the fain

ow en

nd walked back in

for the first time unsure of what he

was still pounding from the encounter outside with Zarien - the coldness in his voice, the restraint in his stare, like

ned in with soft curiosity. "You okay?" she asked agai

f-smile. "I'm fine.

ing her-eyes narrowed slightly, lips curled into a tight smile that didn't reach her cheeks. Malik sat

oticed e

ort passing over his face before his features went blank. He returned to his seat beside Sand

niversary, remember?" She raised her glass, already tipsy, and shouted toward

ed, already feeling the effect of alcohol. Glas

her glass, untouched. Her eyes lingered on Zarie

e smile. "Come on, Evelyn. Don't be a spoil

s dinner was about your anniversary, too. Congr

e room seemed to p

he replied, a

Evelyn. "Want to le

tly. "No. I want t

e that, the

gave way to half-hearted goodbyes. One by one, colleagues left in pairs or alone, slipping into waiting