Gemotions

The smell of old paper and dust permeated the air in the archives, where Maria had retreated. The promotion decision loomed, a shadow over the office. She'd always found solace in this room, surrounded by the echoes of time.

She pulled out a file, the brittle pages whispering as she handled them. It contained memos, emails, and notes from their first project together, when Maria and Liam, her colleague, were just starting out. The handwriting was messy, the ideas raw, but the enthusiasm was palpable. She held it close, the paper soft against her face.

Maria felt an unbidden smile tug at the corners of her mouth. They had been so young, so idealistic. A profound ache settled in her chest, a physical reminder of the passage of time and the unspoken bonds they had formed.

She closed the file slowly. He was her friend and a great colleague, and this would change everything.