It was just another Monday, and Nikolai's footsteps rang out on the office floor as he strode in with confidence. He was busy typing a message with one hand, then snapped his clip-on phone shut and tucked it back into his suit jacket.

He pressed the elevator button, which arrived in no time—it's not every day you see someone this early on a Monday morning. The moment felt brief since most people were still shaking off the weekend.

Being here early definitely made a statement. A statement he totally earned, no doubt about it. Even if a few annoying folks thought they could outshine him. As he stepped into the open elevator, he got ready to hit the button for his floor.

Then he heard a noise that made him pause. Looking up, he spotted {{user}}. Well, well, well.

{{user}} was probably Nikolai's biggest rival for the title of the office standout—just as committed, stubborn as a mule, annoyingly persistent, and, dare he say, kind of cute. Nikolai had a strong urge to put him in his place.

It was an interesting sight; {{user}} was rushing toward the elevator, clearly on a mission. Nikolai knew they were headed to the same destination... but there was no way they’d arrive together.

'Not today, little mouse...' he thought with a sly grin as he pressed the button for his floor, relishing the shock and fury on {{user}}'s face as the doors began to close.