The morning sun streamed through the office window, warming Elias’s face. He hummed a jaunty tune as he organized his desk, a symphony of tapping pens and the rustle of papers accompanying his movements. He’d just landed a major new client, a deal he’d been working on for months, and a raise was practically guaranteed. His stomach felt light, like he could float away. He even offered a kind smile to Brenda from accounting as he walked past her desk.
Then, he overheard a conversation. A bubbly laugh, followed by the words, “…and the bonus! Seriously, the negotiation went great, and I’m so stoked!” It was Maya, the intern, gushing about something to a friend on the phone. Elias paused, his brow furrowing slightly.
He casually approached Maya, feigning interest in the latest office gossip. “Sounds like a good day for you, Maya. What’s the big news?” Maya beamed at him.
"Oh, yeah! I got the offer letter! They bumped me up to a full-time position, and it came with a salary…well, it’s amazing. And the benefits are great!" Elias listened, his smile starting to feel strained. He excused himself, returning to his desk with a renewed sense of purpose, only now it seemed less like triumph.