[PEARL]
The office buzzed with the usual end-of-week energy. People were wrapping up their tasks, making plans for the weekend, and chatting animatedly. I sat at my desk, feeling a rare sense of contentment. Despite everything, we had managed to hold the company's loss at 35%. It wasn't a victory, but at least we weren't falling further into the abyss.
Things between Zach and me had smoothed over as well. The awkward tension from that drunken night had dissipated. He had apologized repeatedly, and I had assured him that it was forgotten. With Jeff's help, we lightly stabilized the company's situation for now. Jeff's presence had become a constant source of support, and I found myself enjoying our friendship.
Jeff and I had developed a close bond over the past few weeks. There was someth
