LORETTA

It was the first time Elion and I arrived late to work. Late, as in almost half an hour late.

We ignored each other as I had requested; he did not speak to me, and I didn't speak to him either. It still felt like we were back in the dining room while something precious between us broke

The elevator doors slid open on the executive floor, and the familiar sounds of keyboards, printers, and distant conversations rushed toward me.

Everything was exactly the way it had always been, only I wasn't. I stepped into my office without acknowledging the cheerful greetings floating through the corridor.

“Morning, Ms. Sterling"...