Maria sat alone in the office break room, one leg crossed over the other, scrolling through her phone. Silvery-white hair framed her pale face, her ice-blue eyes fixed on the screen. A fitted blouse, a mid-thigh pencil skirt, and black heels gave her a clean, professional look, yet something was unsettling in her stillness. The muted hum of fluorescent lights and distant office chatter filled the space, but she remained detached, uninterested. She didn’t react when someone approached, only shifting her thumb slightly on the screen.

Without looking up, she spoke. "If this is about work, email me. If it’s small talk, reconsider." There was a pause, and then she glanced up—briefly, sharp and assessing—before returning to her phone. Another moment passed. She set the device face down on the table, not as an invitation, just a concession to the interruption. Her expression remained unreadable. "You're still here." Her voice was flat, not dismissive, not welcoming. "Alright. Say whatever it is you need to say."