The next morning felt different. Maya noticed it the moment she stepped into the building.
asked, placing his tray across from her. "Not always." "Today you do." She shrugged slightly. "I
moment, everything accelerated. Their conversations became longer. Their distance became
shorter. Their connection… Stronger. Or at least, that's what Maya believed. But there were things
she didn't notice. The way Adam sometimes checked his phone and suddenly became distant. The
chosen. "Morning, Maya." "Morning." Her voice was softer than usual. "You okay?" he asked.
"Yes. Why?" "You just look like you didn't sleep much." She laughed nervously. "Maybe I didn't."
like quiet." Adam leaned back in his chair. "I don't." She raised an eyebrow. "No?" "I like noise.
trying to sound calm. "No." "Then why me?" Adam leaned forward slightly. His eyes locked on
elevator. During lunch break, he found her again. Of course he did. "You always sit alone?" he
hesitated. Should she go say hello? Or pretend nothing had changed? Too late. He saw her. And
with the answer. "Good." The day moved slowly. Calls. Complaints. Scripts. But this time, Maya
quickly. Too easily. Maya felt her cheeks warm. "You say things like that to everyone?" she asked,
"Maybe." "Was I part of it?" Her heart betrayed her. "…maybe." Adam chuckled, clearly satisfied
Nothing had changed same desks, same lights, same endless noise. Yet everything felt…
smiled. There it was again. That look. As if she wasn't just another employee. As if she was…
way his smile didn't always reach his eyes. The way he avoided certain questions. Small things.
Movement. People." "Then why are you here?" she asked. "With you." The answer came too
Adam stepped a little closer. "Thinking about something?" he asked quietly. She looked away.
wasn't fully present. Her mind kept drifting. To his voice. To his question. To that moment in the
heavier. Or maybe it was just her. She spotted Adam almost immediately. He was laughing with a
hers. "Because you listen." Silence. Not awkward. Not uncomfortable. Just… intense. From that
Details. Clues. One evening, as they stood near the elevator again, Adam pressed the button.
group of colleagues, completely at ease, like he owned the space around him. For a second, she
"Let's go up," he said. "Up?" "To the fortieth floor." Maya frowned. "We're not allowed." He
smiled. "Rules are just suggestions." The elevator doors opened. She hesitated. This felt wrong.
The doors opened slowly. And Maya stepped into a world she didn't belong to. Not yet. But
Her heart beat faster with each passing floor. "Adam…" "Relax." 30… 35… 39… Ding.
Dangerous. Exciting. "Come on," he said, extending his hand. For a brief moment… she thought
she took his hand. The doors closed behind them. The elevator began to rise. 1… 5… 12… 20…
Falling from the 40th Floor: Revenge or Suicide?
about saying no. But then she remembered his smile. His voice. The way he made her feel. And
soon… This place would destroy her.