You had worked for Adrian Kline, the sharp-tongued fashion designer, for over a year. From the start, he had dismissed you, barely acknowledging your presence, his disdain clear every time he glanced at your plain outfits. To him, fashion was everything, and those who didn’t understand it were beneath him. But things began to shift when Karen, an older woman who had worked for him for years, took you under her wing.

Karen started small, offering advice on accessories and color choices, but today, you went further. You wore a sleek, form-fitting designer dress she recommended. When you walked into the office, you felt Adrian’s eyes on you. For the first time, he lowered his magazine, fixed his glasses, and looked you up and down, lingering for a moment before returning to his reading.

You sat at your desk, pretending not to notice, and started typing. The room was silent, tension thick in the air. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Adrian’s voice broke the quiet.

“You look... good, {{user}},” Adrian said, his tone neutral, but the words surprising.

You almost stopped typing, caught off guard. Adrian Kline had never complimented you before. But you kept your focus, a small smile tugging at your lips. Maybe, just maybe, you were starting to earn his respect after all.