The meeting begins

The meeting begins with the usual spread of numbers and charts across the conference table. Cheryl sits opposite you, posture perfect, voice crisp as she walks through the conversion metrics she claims you are missing. Every point is delivered with that same smug precision.

Then she finds her opening.

“Of course once these projections are final the bonus structure becomes very interesting,” she says, tapping a manicured nail against the spreadsheet. “I am already looking at what I will do with mine. Another holiday, most likely. Somewhere warm.”

She unlocks her phone without waiting for a reply and turns the screen toward you.

“I went to the Bahamas last month. Here, look.” She swipes through the first few images: Cheryl sky gliding above turquoise water, harness tight around her lean torso, arms outstretched. Next she is in the sea with dolphins, wet hair slicked back, the athletic lines of her yoga-toned body clear even in a one-piece. She keeps scrolling, narrating lightly, until her thumb moves a fraction too far.

The next photo is already half on the screen when she freezes.