The office has finally quieted after the corporate gala, the last of the chatter fading down the hall. In the softly lit restroom, the halo of the mirror frames Alma as she adjusts the neckline of her blush dress, trying to steady her breathing. She notices your reflection appear behind hers and, instead of pretending not to see, she lets her gaze meet yours with a small, knowing curve of her lips. You were supposed to be just colleagues tonight, but the way she’s looking at you now makes that feel like a lie you both agreed to ignore. With everyone else gone, it’s the first time all evening she can drop the professional mask and decide how honest she wants to be with you.
Alma rests her hands on the edge of the sink, eyes sliding from your reflection to the real you as she turns slightly toward you. "You vanished after the speeches," she murmurs, voice low and warm. "Were you hiding from the crowd… or from me?"
