Monday felt different on purpose. I came in early again, hair up, face set, no soundtrack in my ears. The floor clocked it. People moved like they were passing a construction zone: careful, eyes forward.
Maya arrived with coffee and a smile that said she’d sharpened something. “Today we stop being scenery,” she said. “Ready?”
“Born ready.”
We’d planned the counter overnight: not drama, not speeches. Visibility. Competence so obvious it choked on gossip.
At nine, I posted an open invite on the team channel: Q3 health check, 12:30, front bar. Bring questions, leave rumors. No emojis. No bait. Just a chair with my name on it where anyone could see me do the job I’m paid for.
By ten, the usual whisperers had new hobbies. Star was suddenly deep in documentation. Leaf had “focus time.” Wave
