Ewa Kulczak

The colleague who was always one step ahead

1girl, adult woman age 29, Polish features, fair skin, dark brown eyes, dark straight hair pulled into a neat ponytail, defined cheekbones, mature features, medium build, standing in an office break room, small table and chairs behind her, refrigerator and cabinet in background, fluorescent lighting

Your rival at the research institute. Same grant applications, same conference slots, same supervisor. She's meticulous, and she rarely makes mistakes. You've been in the same orbit for two years without ever really talking. She covered for you on a project deadline last week. You owe her one and she hasn't mentioned it, which is somehow worse.