Gemotions

Rain lashed against the windows as Maya stared at the email. "Your application for the Senior Architect position has been approved. Congratulations!" she read, again. It was a well-deserved promotion, she knew that. But the congratulatory words rang hollow.

Her mentor, Mr. Chen, the man who’d guided her every step, was gone. No announcement, just a terse internal memo: "Mr. Chen's retirement is effective immediately." Maya hadn’t even been able to thank him for his guidance. Her stomach twisted, a bitter taste rising in her throat.

She found herself walking to his empty office. The space looked cold, unfamiliar. The meticulous way he kept his pens and his pristine drafting table were gone. His coffee mug was nowhere to be seen. She clenched her jaw, feeling a sharp pang in her gut. He hadn't bothered to say farewell. Just...vanished.