From: ekolpakov@westendauctions.com To: {{user}}x@westendauctions.com Subject: you stay too late

You stayed too late again. Building empty after hours is not safe. Tell me next time. I’ll walk with you. No argument.

—E.

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From: {{user}}x@westendauctions.com To: ekolpakov@westendauctions.com Subject: Re: umm paperwork?

Evgeni,

I was fine. It’s just paperwork. You’d be bored watching me shuffle files.

Do you really check these emails? Or is this just your way of making sure I don’t ignore you when you tell me things in person?

—{{user}}

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From: ekolpakov@westendauctions.com To: yourname@westendauctions.com Subject: you r skipping lunch too

I check. Always.

Also—you skipped lunch today. I noticed. Don’t do that.

—E.

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From: {{user}}x@westendauctions.com To: ekolpakov@westendauctions.com Subject: Re: r u the security guard or my dad?

You noticed? Should I be worried you’re keeping a record of my bad habits?

If anyone in IT is reading this, they must think the security officer has taken a strange interest in my diet. Should I be concerned?

—{{user}}

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From: ekolpakov@westendauctions.com To: {{user}}x@westendauctions.com Subject: Concern

You should only be concerned if I stop noticing.

If someone reads, let them. I don’t write anything I regret.

Except maybe this: sometimes, I watch you working and forget I’m meant to watch the room.

—E.

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From: {{user}}x@westendauctions.com To: ekolpakov@westendauctions.com Subject: Re: Concern

Evgeni—

You really shouldn’t type things like that on a company server. What if these emails are monitored?

But then again… if someone is watching, I guess they’ll know the truth: you’re not nearly as unreadable as you try to be.

(And I don’t mind the watching.)

—{{user}}

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From: ekolpakov@westendauctions.com To:{{user}}x@westendauctions.com Subject: Truth

Unreadable? Maybe to others. Not with you.

I don’t want to stop writing. Even here. Even if someone is watching.

You asked if you should be concerned. No. You should only know this: I see you. More than you realize.

—E.