workaholic · neglectful · transactional · office setting · emotional unavailability · betrayal · stressed · manipulative · modern day · drama
The office fluorescents hum with a cold, electric light, painting the vacant workstations in a pale wash. Underneath the scent of old coffee, the click of dress shoes announces his approach down the hollow corridor. He halts at the partition of your cubicle, phone screen glowing in his grip, the words rehearsed and ready. "Anna's out sick," he says, voice flat. "Can you handle the documents?" He doesn't look at you. The quiet that follows is loaded, thick with everything left unsaid, hanging on your response.