A Goodbye Written in Lies

The sound of an alarm filled the quiet apartment. Elena reached blindly for her phone, knocked over a pillow in the process, and finally managed to silence it. She opened one eye. 7:15 AM. Five more minutes wouldn't hurt. She closed her eyes again. Her phone vibrated. Chloe: GOOD MORNING, Elena stared at the message with a sleepy expression. Elena: It's seven in the morning. What is wrong with you? Chloe: I'm happy to be alive. Elena: Congratulations. Let me die in peace. Chloe: We're having lunch together today. Don't make plans. Elena: I was planning to sleep during lunch. Chloe: I'll come to your house and drag you out myself. Elena smiled at her phone. She finally threw the blankets aside and got out of bed. At twenty-four, Elena had a fairly simple routine. She worked as a project coordinator at a well-known company, lived independently, and spent most of her free time with her friends. She liked quiet mornings, iced coffee, shopping when she was in a good mood, and staying home when she wasn't. After taking a shower, she stood in front of her wardrobe, contemplating her options. "Black or white?" she murmured. She held up a black blouse, then a white one. "Black." She put it back. "White." She stared at both. "Why is getting dressed so difficult?" Ten minutes later, she was wearing the black blouse. She wore it with a pair of black pants, put on a little perfume, and brushed her short hair. After grabbing her bag and keys, she headed for the door. Then she stopped. Her coffee. She returned to the kitchen, grabbed the cup she'd prepared earlier, and hurried outside. A perfectly normal morning. Well, almost. --- 9:02 AM — "You're two minutes late." Elena didn't even turn around. "Good morning to you too, Daniel." Daniel on the edge of the desk opposite hers, holding a paper bag. "Do you know how long I've been waiting?" "Two minutes?" "Two very painful minutes." "Should I call an ambulance?" "Please. Tell them I'm suffering." Elena placed her bag down and looked at him. "You're so annoying." "And yet, you keep coming back." Daniel laughed and handed her the paper bag. She looked inside. A croissant. Her favorite. Elena glanced up at him. "You bought me breakfast?" "No, I stole it from a random stranger downstairs. Of course I bought it for you." "Aw. You do love me." "Don't spread rumors." She smiled and took a bite. Daniel was twenty-five and worked in the same department as Elena. He was intelligent, confident, and far too pleased with himself for someone who regularly forgot where he'd parked his car. They had become friends shortly after she joined the company, and since then, he'd made it his personal mission to annoy her at least once every hour. He was also surprisingly thoughtful. He remembered her coffee order, noticed when she changed her hairstyle, and always seemed to know when she needed someone to talk to. Naturally, Elena repaid his kindness by insulting him daily. "Anyway," Daniel said, glancing at her computer, "did you finish the report?" "Yes." "Excellent. Can I copy it?" "No." "Why?" "Because you have your own report." "You're making this friendship very difficult." "Good. Maybe you'll find another friend." He placed a hand over his heart. "After everything we've been through?" "We met two years ago." "The memories. The laughter. The emotional damage." Elena burst out laughing. "Go do your work!" Daniel stood up, looking thoroughly offended. "Fine. But when I become the CEO of this company, don't expect any special treatment." "I'll survive." "You'll regret this." He walked away. Three seconds later, he returned. "Can I have half your croissant?" Elena stared at him. "GET OUT." His laughter followed him all the way back to his desk. --- By eleven, the office had become busier. Phones rang, employees moved between departments, and Elena was halfway through organizing a series of documents when a familiar voice appeared beside her. "Guess who's here!" Elena kept her eyes on the screen. "Someone I don't want to see?" Chloe gasped. "Wow. That's how you greet your best friend?" "You're in a different department. Why are you here?" "Because I missed you." "You saw me yesterday." "And?" Elena finally turned her chair toward her. They had been friends for almost two years, ever since Chloe had accidentally walked into the wrong meeting room and blamed Elena for not warning her. Elena still maintained that the entire incident had been Chloe's fault. Chloe maintained that Elena had looked suspiciously comfortable watching her embarrass herself. Neither of them intended to admit defeat. "Anyway," Chloe announced, sitting in the empty chair, "I have news." "Are you pregnant?" Chloe nearly fell off the chair. "ELENA!" Daniel, who was sitting nearby, immediately turned around. "WHAT? WHO'S PREGNANT?" "NO ONE!" Chloe shouted. Several employees glanced in their direction. Elena covered her mouth, trying not to laugh. Daniel slowly turned back to his computer. "Disappointing. I was going to organize a baby shower." Chloe pointed at Elena. "This is your fault!" "How? You said you had news!" "Not THAT kind of news!" Elena was laughing too hard to answer. Chloe crossed her arms. "I'm never telling you anything again." "Okay." "I mean it." "Okay." "I hate you." Elena reached over and squeezed her hand. "Love you too." Chloe tried to maintain her angry expression for another three seconds before bursting into laughter. "You're actually the worst." "I know." "Anyway, the actual news is that Marcus wants to take me out this weekend." Elena raised an eyebrow. "Your boyfriend? The same Marcus who took you to a restaurant and spent twenty minutes arguing with the waiter about the menu?" "He was asking questions!" "He asked whether the chicken was chicken." Daniel started laughing from across the room. Chloe covered her face. "Please stop reminding me." Elena leaned back in her chair, smiling. "Never." --- At lunchtime, the four of them met at their usual restaurant just around the corner from the office. Marcus Reed was already waiting at a table near the window. The moment Chloe spotted him, her entire face lit up. "Baby!" Marcus stood to greet her, smiling as she walked into his arms. "Hey, beautiful." He kissed her cheek before pulling out her chair. Elena sat opposite them and watched with an exaggerated expression of disgust. "Oh, please. Some of us are trying to eat." Marcus glanced at her. "You're just jealous because nobody calls you beautiful." Daniel sat beside Elena. "I call her beautiful." Elena turned toward him. "You called me a potato yesterday." "A beautiful potato." Marcus burst out laughing. Chloe shook her head, still smiling as she reached for the menu. The four of them had been spending time together for nearly two years. Marcus and Chloe had been dating for almost the same amount of time, and their relationship was the kind that made their friends roll their eyes while secretly finding them adorable. Marcus was patient, affectionate, and always willing to make Chloe laugh. Chloe, in return, remembered every little thing about him and never hesitated to show how much she cared. They were comfortable together. They could argue over what to eat and spend the next minute sharing dessert from the same spoon. They were, as Daniel liked to put it, "disgustingly happy." "So," Marcus said, looking at Elena, "how's work?" "Fine. Daniel's trying to steal my report again." Daniel looked up from the menu. "That's a serious accusation." "You asked me to send it to you." "For educational purposes." "You work in the same department!" "Education is a lifelong journey." Marcus laughed. Chloe pointed her menu at Daniel. "You know what your problem is?" "I have several. Be specific." "You're lazy." "That's not a problem. That's a lifestyle." Elena shook her head. "I genuinely don't understand how you're employed." "Charm." "Must be." Their food arrived, and the conversation moved from work to weekend plans, Marcus's questionable cooking skills, and Chloe's latest obsession with a television series she insisted everyone watch. "No," Daniel said firmly. Chloe stared at him. "You haven't even heard what it's about!" "I know you. If you recommend it, I'll lose at least forty hours of my life." "It's romantic!" "Exactly." Elena took a sip of water. "He's right. You once made me watch a show where nothing happened for eight episodes." "THE BUILDUP WAS IMPORTANT!" "Someone stared at a wall for six minutes, Chloe." "It was symbolic!" Marcus patted her hand. "I thought it was good, baby." Chloe immediately smiled. "Thank you." Daniel stared at him. "You're only saying that because you're in love." Marcus shrugged. "Works every time." Elena laughed, watching them bicker. These were her favorite moments. No grand plans, no expensive outings, no need to impress anyone. Just four friends sitting around a table, making fun of one another and talking about absolutely nothing. She had a good job, a comfortable home, and people she could rely on. Life wasn't perfect, but it was good. And she appreciated it. --- The following afternoon, Elena was organizing some documents when her manager called her into his office. "Elena, do you have a moment?" "Of course, sir." She entered and sat across from his desk. "I wanted to inform you about an event we're hosting tomorrow evening," he explained. "It's a private gathering with several important clients and business partners. A few employees from our department have been invited, and I'd like you to attend." Elena nodded. "Certainly. Is there anything specific I should prepare?" "No, just come dressed appropriately. It's a formal occasion, and it should be a good opportunity to meet some of the people we work with." "Understood. Thank you for the invitation." When she returned to her desk, Daniel immediately looked up. "What did he want?" "To tell me I'm getting a promotion." Daniel sat up straight. "WHAT?" Elena stared at him for a moment before smiling. "I'm joking." His expression fell. "I actually hate you." She laughed and explained the invitation. "A private gathering?" Daniel repeated. "Formal clothes? Expensive food?" "You're only interested in the food." "Food is an important part of any social event." Chloe appeared beside them, having overheard the last part. "Wait! You're both going?" Elena nodded. Chloe clasped her hands together. "This is perfect! We can get ready together!" Daniel looked between them. "I'm not getting ready with you two." "Nobody invited you," Chloe replied. "Good. I'll wear a suit and show up looking better than both of you." Elena raised an eyebrow. "You own one suit." "A very good suit." "With the missing button?" Daniel went silent. Chloe burst out laughing. "YOU STILL HAVEN'T FIXED IT?" "It's a design choice." "Of course it is," Elena said. Marcus joined them a few minutes later, and once Chloe explained the event, he offered to drive them there. The plan was settled almost immediately. Chloe would help Elena choose an outfit, Marcus would pick them up the following evening, and Daniel would meet them at the venue. For the rest of the afternoon, Chloe sent Elena a ridiculous number of messages containing dress ideas, hairstyles, and accessories. Elena answered approximately one in every five. By the time she got home, she had already decided what she wanted to wear. She placed her dress on the bed, prepared her bag for the following day, and spent the rest of the evening relaxing with a book and a cup of tea. Outside, the city slowly disappeared beneath the evening sky. Elena glanced at the invitation resting on her bedside table and smiled to herself. Tomorrow would be an opportunity to dress up, enjoy a nice evening, and spend time with her friends outside the office. Nothing more. She turned off the lamp, settled beneath her blankets, and closed her eyes. For now, life was simple. And Elena Whitmore was perfectly happy with that.