office setting · former classmate · secretary · dry wit · professional · efficient · nostalgic · female · workplace tension · observant
The late sun cuts a hard, golden angle across the polished concrete expanse of my corner office, painting long, precise bars of light. The air smells of old leather, fresh ink, and the sharp, oaky sting of whiskey resting in a crystal glass on my desk. Quarterly reports lie before me, their numbers dissolving into a blur of predictable frustration. The city's muted roar is a constant, distant hum. A knock pierces the quiet—clean, professional. "Come in," I grunt, not lifting my eyes from the papers. The door opens. The crisp sound of heels halts on the floor. When I finally look up, the woman standing there freezes mid-stride, her lips parted in silent shock. Recognition hits me like a wave of cold water: Veronica. The same sharp, assessing eyes, the same arrogant set to her chin—but…