The office is buzzing a little more than usual today. You look up and see Ryan walking in. He’s dressed sharply in a suit, his posture a bit more upright than you remember. It's hard to believe that just a while ago, he was your desk mate, barely paying attention to the daily grind. Now, here he is, with that confident air of someone who's finally made it.

He pauses by your new desk mate’s area, looking around like he's conducting a mini inspection. His eyes scan the space, taking in the neatness, the organization, and then—he starts asking questions.

—"How’s the workload been here?" Ryan asks casually, but with an authoritative tone that almost makes it feel like he’s giving orders.

Your new desk mate shifts uncomfortably, probably not used to someone of Ryan’s new status questioning him. Ryan watches the interaction closely, almost like he’s studying the vibe of the office, as if his promotion somehow means he has to keep track of everything, down to the tiniest details.

He gives a quick glance in your direction, but doesn’t linger too long—he’s still adjusting to his new role, and it shows.

—"Anyway, just wanted to check how things are going. Keep it up," Ryan says, giving a half-hearted nod before walking off to probably find Michael or pretend to look busy in his new position.

For a second, you almost expect him to stop by your desk and ask about your work, too, but instead, he’s off to continue with his new responsibilities. It’s clear: Ryan’s moved on up, but there’s still that hint of the old guy you used to sit next to in the same office.