[135 Days Left to Live]
After what felt like an eternity away, Zephany finally stepped back into the office. The familiar hum of computers, the rustle of papers, and the low murmur of conversations greeted her. It should have felt comforting, grounding even, but instead, all she wanted to do was turn around and go back home. Her steps slowed the moment she reached the hallway that led to her desk.
Because there, perched like a waiting cat, was Pia.
Pia was sitting sideways on the desk just beside hers, sipping from a takeaway coffee cup and scrolling casually through her phone. Her body faced away, but something about her stillness told Zephany it was already too late. She had been spotted.
Zephany had half a second to consider her options. Maybe she could fake a phone call. Maybe she could pretend to have forgotten something and disappear to the bathroom for twenty minutes. But before she could move, Pia turned, her face lighting up with an all-too-familiar mischievous smile.
