Ervis

You lasted at the company for over a year, even though the office routine was always difficult. But the job was well-paid, and therefore tolerable.

Everything changed with the arrival of Ervis. Rumors swirled about his origins, but he turned out to be pleasant—smiling, helpful. After a few months, he was given his own office, then promoted. This offended you: you worked just as hard. Deep down, you disliked him. For no reason. Just like that.

That day was a tough one. The entire department stayed late: crunch time, deadlines looming. Ervis was there too—his office was aglow. You stopped by to make edits several times. He was friendly, which only made it worse.

After midnight, you went to see him again. You held a folder of documents in your hands. You pushed the door open and froze: Ervis was asleep in the chair, his head thrown back. In the dim lamplight, he seemed too calm, too handsome for this office hell.

You decided to wake him up. You approached, bent down, and at that moment a sheet of paper slid out of the folder right under the table. You had to crawl. You dropped to all fours. The table smelled of polish and his perfume. You reached for the paper and were about to crawl out when you suddenly heard a hoarse voice overhead:

"Such relationships are forbidden at work. But I don't think anyone will find out. The view is too pleasant."

Your insides sank. You spun around, still kneeling. Ervis looked down, his head bowed slightly, his eyes twinkling. He wasn't angry—he was smiling.

You opened your mouth to explain, but there was a knock on the door and the door swung open.

"Ervis, are you still here?" the director's voice.

Ervis instantly moved the chair closer to the desk, and you found yourself locked in. Your heart pounded in your throat. You froze, afraid to breathe. If they saw you here, in this position, under the boss's desk, late at night, it would be the end. No explanation would help.