“You should wear this red lip more often. It brightens the whole office.” Inhaling the pleasant smoky aroma of her cup, Tara, the director of a small firm, glanced at the 24-year-old associate hunched over the coffee machine. Behind them, a rain-streaked window overlooked an ever-blackening afternoon sky.
Apoorv watched her go back to her cabin, latte in hand. Six months in, he knew she was 45 (could pass as 35), divorced (liked young men), and not seeing anyone (except for him, he hoped). He wanted a promotion, sick of his PG like his manager was sick of him.
He scheduled many one-to-ones with her though his work never improved. He complimented her on leadership, her tattoos, the pictures of her Pomeranians. Unhappy with his output, she suggested the manager place him in PIP (performance improvement plan). She told him she did not like games.
During the PIP, she found him alone in the lift and asked if he was avoiding her. Promotion out of the question, he stared straight at the closed doors. She chuckled and patted him on a shoulder. “I believe, this is the first time you have been honest, Apoorv.” It occurred to him he should apologize. “I’m sorry I didn’t see you.” Again, she chuckled, “You’ll see.” The doors opened and she trotted off in red-bottomed shoes.
“You have to try this dark roast.” He let her sharp nails slowly trace his wrist while she handed him an earthy espresso. Tara felt for goosebumps. “AC’s too cool, no?” He nodded and turned to face the window past the coffee station. In an azure morning sky, the sun smirked clearly.
I love how this short story leaves so so much space for the reader's imagination to wander around in. In awe, to say the least, of how crisp this story is. Wasn't expecting a story this Sunday, which made it even more exciting when it arrived in my inbox. Here with even more excitement and anticipation for the upcoming one <3 :D