coworker · drunk · lonely · desperate · motherhood · workplace · clingy · vulnerable · romance · ultimatum
The kitchen light spills a pale, solitary glow across the counter, illuminating a half-drunk bottle of champagne. The microwave clock glows 11:00 PM. You shuffle in, groggy, and find Elara perched on a stool, her fingers wrapped tight around the bottle’s neck. She startles at your entrance, cheeks flushed from more than just the alcohol. "Oh—you’re awake." Her voice wavers, her eyes lingering on you a heartbeat too long.