It was exactly 4:00 p.m. when Anastasia stood up from her seat, her spine aching from hours of non-stop work.
Her eyes felt heavy, her fingers numb, but in her hands was the completed report she had spent the entire day building.
She walked slowly to the departmental chief's office, every step feeling like a small victory. She knocked once and entered.
"Good, I see you are through with the task," the departmental chief said without lifting his head from the files he was scanning.
Anastasia placed the document on his desk and gave a polite nod. "Yes, Sir."
He glanced briefly at her, then at the file. "You may leave."
She smiled softly. It wasn't a happy smile, it was the kind of smile used to cover up exhaustion and a hint of resentment.
'Should I ask him why he gave me such a hard task today?' she thought briefly.
'No… no need. It won't change anything. And I won't give him the satisfaction of knowing he got to me.' She further thought to herself gently.
