The Partnership Proposal

Chapter 1: The Wake-Up Call

The harsh glow of the office lights seemed to brighten in rhythm with Guilliana’s steady typing. Her fingers flew over the keyboard, almost mechanically, as she tried to finish the proposal she had been working on for days. Her mind was sharp, focused, but somewhere deep inside, she couldn’t shake the thought that something was about to change.

She paused and glanced around the office—her office—organized, filled with the personal touches she had accumulated over the years. It was small but hers, and in her world, it was a symbol of all the hard work she had put into climbing the corporate ladder.

Her phone buzzed on the desk, and she picked it up immediately. It was a message from her best friend, Sophia.

Sophia (Text): "So, how’s everything going? You almost done with that proposal?"

Guilliana smiled lightly, replying as she leaned back in her chair, stretching her tired arms.

Guilliana (Text): "Almost. Just one more round of edits. Hopefully, I can wrap up tonight, and then focus on the meeting prep for the promotion next week."

She hit send, then put her phone down, her mind wandering. She had been so focused on her work, but now, there was an undeniable feeling gnawing at her—a feeling that maybe, just maybe, the promotion wasn’t as guaranteed as she thought.

Her gaze shifted to the city outside her window—the traffic moving like a river of lights, the sky turning dark as the evening approached. Guilliana had always prided herself on her ambition, but lately, her confidence had started to wane.

Her thoughts were interrupted by the sound of footsteps approaching. The door to her office creaked open, and Lucas, one of her colleagues from marketing, poked his head inside.

Lucas: (with a half-smile) “Guilliana, do you have a minute?”

Guilliana: (glancing up) “Yeah, sure, come in. What’s up?”

Lucas stepped inside and sat across from her. There was an unease in his eyes, something he didn’t normally display. Guilliana had known Lucas for years. He was always upbeat, always cracking jokes to lighten the mood, so his serious expression worried her.

Lucas: (hesitantly) “Have you seen the latest memo from the CEO?”

Guilliana: (frowning) “Memo? No, I haven’t seen anything. What’s going on?”

Lucas: (glancing around before speaking in a low voice) “Well, there’s a new policy. The CEO just sent out an announcement that the company will be prioritizing married employees for promotions from now on.”

Guilliana: (shocked) “What? Are you serious? Since when did marital status become a factor in promotions?”

Lucas: (nodding slowly) “Yeah, it’s a huge shift. Apparently, they believe married employees are more ‘stable’ and bring a sense of ‘family values’ to the table. So, if you're married, your chances for promotion go way up.”

Guilliana stared at him, her mind racing. Stable? Family values? She was one of the top performers in her department, yet now, she was being told her single status was going to cost her everything she had worked for.

Guilliana: (angrily) “That’s ridiculous! How can they just change the rules like that? My work should speak for itself, not my relationship status!”

Lucas: (sighing) “I know, right? It’s crazy. But I heard it straight from Claire in HR. They’re serious about it. It’s like if you’re not married, you're automatically disqualified from getting the promotion you’ve been working for.”

Guilliana’s head spun. She had been working herself to the bone, pouring her energy into every project, constantly striving to outdo herself. And now, it was all for nothing? Because she wasn’t married?