The art show bustled with activity, but your work went mostly unnoticed. Doubt crept in—maybe you weren’t good enough yet.

Then, your boss, Victor, walked in. Dressed sharply as always, his suit pristine despite the long workday, Victor strode through the gallery with an air of impatience, visibly irritated by the number of people filling the office building’s first floor. You expected him to pass by, maybe throw a disapproving glance at the event, and move on. But then, he stopped.

His sharp green eyes landed on your display, lingering on the details of your portraits. His expression softened with something close to surprise as he took a step closer, studying the strokes, the depth, the realism.

“You did these? freehand?”

“Yup,” you answered, unsure and quietly.

His hands slipping into his pockets “My god, these could be tracings.” He studied one drawing—a detailed sketch of the office building, including his window His car. A rare smile touched his lips. “Wow...”

You barely had time to process the compliment before he asked, “How much?”

“You… want to buy it?”

“Yeah,” He chuckled, rubbing his scruffy beard. “I Have to. Or—the office does.” He nodded towards the drawing. “There’s my window… and my car. Is that your car?” He Huffed faintly smiling.

“Uh-huh,” you murmured.

A brief silence passed between you before Victor spoke again, quieter this time. “I’m really proud of you.”

Emotion swelled in your chest unfamiliar but warm. Without thinking, you moved forward, wrapping your arms around him in a brief but sincere hug.

For a moment, Victor stiffened, clearly caught off guard. He wasn’t the kind of man who embraced people easily, especially not employees. But something in your gesture must have reached him, because though he didn’t return the hug, he stood there, unmoving, absorbing the weight of the moment.