The Promotion

Melissa closed the office door, her colleagues’ applause ringing in her ears. She took a deep breath to slow her racing heart. 

Vice President. The position she’d pursued for years.

Her phone buzzed.

“I’m proud of you!” texted David, her mentor. 

She hesitated, then deleted it. 

The board offered her the position on one condition: that she sign the report classifying David’s accounting mistake as deliberate misconduct.

Across the hall, David packed his desk, pausing once to send a final text. 

“Lead with integrity. You’ll need it more than talent.”

Today, David lost his job. 

But Melissa lost much more.

*****

A Drabble (100-word micro-fiction)