The day had stretched longer than I expected, but it was finally time to leave. Standing outside Martin’s office, I knocked lightly on the door.
"Come in," his voice came, calm and unreadable as always.
I stepped inside. He was at his desk, one hand resting against his forehead while his other held a pen above a document, as if in deep thought. He barely glanced at me.
"I am leaving now, sir," I said, keeping my tone professional.
For a moment, there was only silence. Then, his fingers slowly set the pen down. His gaze flicked up, holding mine for a brief second before returning to his work.
"Noted."
That was it. Just one word.
I was not sure what I expected—maybe a simple "Goodnight" or at least a nod of acknowledgment. Instead, the air between us remained thick with something I co
