Made

You worked in an editorial office where articles for magazines and newspapers were being created every day. You'd only just been hired, and you still felt like an outsider. On your very first day, the editor-in-chief called you over.

"I have an assignment," he said, not looking up from his papers. "An article: 'How to dump a guy in ten days.'" "Dump him?" you asked. "Yes. You have to make him fall in love with you. All from personal experience."

You left the office with trembling hands and the thought that this was impossible.

A few days later, you and your friends went to a ball. Music, lights, laughter. And suddenly there he was. He looked straight at you and, without thinking, approached you.

"Can I ask you to dance?" "Yes, I can," you smiled.

From that evening on, you started seeing each other often. He invited you to the cinema, to restaurants, and you walked until the night.

"It's easy with you," he said once. "Me too," you replied, and realized it was true.

Days passed, and the article remained empty. You increasingly forgot why you started it in the first place. One day, he became different—cold, distant.

"We need to talk," he said sharply. "What happened?" "I know about the article."

Your breath caught. "Who told you?" "Your colleague. I overheard the conversation. Were you only with me for work?"

You remained silent. “So it’s true,” he smiled bitterly. “You know, the worst part isn’t the article. It’s that I believed you.”