Well-Loved

A story for The Midnight Vault II

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How would you describe yourself? Perhaps you’d say you’re funny and adventurous, or smart and charismatic. Maybe you’d admit you’re sometimes stressed, sarcastic, or too ambitious. We each contain multitudes, of course.

Below you will find the diary recordings of Pam Aide, who had only ever described herself as well-loved. After all, everyone else said so.

Then again, that was before she’d entered The Midnight Vault.

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November 19, 2025 11:12 AM PT

“The quarterly reports are due by end of day. I know I don’t have to remind you of that,” Robert says, giving me his signature look— an obnoxious raised eyebrow and a fake half smile that I know he thinks makes him look genuine, but isn’t fooling anyone. His prematurely balding head shines in the office’s fluorescents and I wonder again how he managed to get promoted to VP of Marketing.

Yes, Bob, I think. When have I ever submitted the precious quarterly reports late? But outwardly I plaster on a matching smile. I’m his right-hand woman, after all.

“Of course, Robert. I’m on my way to Kimberly’s office to get a status update right now.”

This time his smile is real and he huffs out a laugh, blowing his coffee tinged breath across his desk and right in my face. “I knew I could count on you. Reliable Pam, that’s what we should call you. I think that’s why you’re so well liked around the office.”

I make the appropriate appreciative sounds. I don’t take compliments well, and I’m not sure I agree I’m all that reliable, anyway. Fake it ‘til you make it, right?

“I’m looking forward to your party this weekend, by the way,” Robert says. “Susan has been eager to meet you.”

Ah yes, my anniversary party. My husband, Carey, loves a good party so we decided to go all out this year. A masquerade ball with a popular DJ, catering from the new French fusion in uptown, an open bar, and an invite list to rival our two hundred person wedding ten years ago.

“I’m looking forward to finally meeting your wife, too,” I lie.

November 19, 2025 11:26 AM PT

I sit at the edge of Kimberly’s desk, munching on a piece of chocolate from the communal candy bowl. I’ve been working with her since 2014 when I joined this company, and I don’t think I’d have made it this long without her friendship. If you can ever really call your coworker a real friend, that is.

“Bob has been on my ass about these fucking quarterly reports,” I say to her between bites. “We do this every quarter and we’ve never missed a deadline.”

“Yeah,” she nods while stabbing away at her Cobb salad she bought at the office’s cafeteria downstairs. We eat lunch together most days but I have to go to a meeting in a few minutes and won’t have time to eat a real meal today. “And who even cares about these reports? The CEO barely glances at them.”

“Exactly! I swear Bob just likes to see his name on the slide deck to feel important.” I say, then put on a deep voice to mock his baritone. “Attention everyone, take a look at how large my PowerPoint is. It’s going to be the biggest you’ve ever seen. Huge!”

Kimberly laughs so hard she spits out a piece of salad. “Stop it, someone’s going to hear you,” she says between laughs. “God, how are you so funny? You’re in the wrong profession, I swear. But this is why everyone loves you.”

I smirk and slide off her desk, popping one more piece of chocolate in my mouth on the way out the door.

November 20, 2025 06:03 PM PT

“Pam, over here!” I hear a shrill voice calling my name over the din of the crowded restaurant.

“Hey girly, how are you?” I say when I make it over to the bar and give my friend a quick hug as I climb into the empty seat next to her.

“I’m okay, I think,” Janice says with a half hearted attempt at a smile. I’ve known the beautiful woman sitting beside me since college and at thirty nine years old, she’s already on her fourth divorce. The woman loves fast and hard but always chooses the wrong men.

I give her hand a squeeze and smile sympathetically. “Tell me what’s going on,” I say. “Is Craig still being a jerk about the cat?”

“Yes! He wants to share custody, but I can’t do it. Lady Fluffington has always been my cat. He didn’t even care about her until the breakup.”

“That’s terrible, I’m so sorry. I know you’ve been hoping things would be amicable, but I think it’s time to get a lawyer involved. I’m happy to help find one if you’d like?”

“I don’t know,” she says uncertainly. “Maybe you’re right, though. I didn’t think he’d stoop so low as trying to take Fluffs. Would you really help? Aren’t you busy with your party?”

She has no idea. Organizing this “party to end all parties,” as Carey likes to put it, has been an absolute nightmare. He isn’t helping, of course, but has lots of opinions on how to make it more impressive.

“Of course I’ll help! Anything you need babes, I’ve got you.”

“You’re the best, Pam! And you give such great advice! This is why I love you so much.”

“Love you more, girl.”

November 21, 2025 06:52 AM PT

“Hon, can you send the party details to Jasmine? I think you forgot to send her an invitation,” Carey says as I hand him his to-go mug while simultaneously pouring cereal into a small bowl.

Jasmine. My husband’s young, beautiful assistant. The one with the perky breasts that she had no problem rubbing against him at his office’s holiday party last year. Of course, it didn’t bother me. That’s what I told everyone, anyway. I’m not the jealous type, after all. I’ve always been the chill girl. I trust him. Obviously.

“Oh, sorry. Must have slipped my mind. I’ll send it after I get Olivia off to school.”

He flashes me his award winning smile. At least, that’s what he likes to call it when we see his perfect, straight white teeth gleaming down at us from half the billboards in town.

“You’re the best,” he says as he leans down to give me a quick peck on the cheek. “Jas actually had a great recommendation for the party. She thought we should have more of a Cinderella theme. Do you think you could find a pumpkin carriage or something like that?”

A Cinderella theme? Is he kidding? We literally talked about this months ago. He was the one worried the masquerade would come off as “too Disney.”

I swallow hard. Smile. “Sure, Carey. I’ll see what I can do.”

“Oh, I forgot to tell you. Sharon called me yesterday, hysterical. Said she isn’t going to act as babysitter so I can celebrate the anniversary of being married to my new hussy.”

He has the decency to wince. His ex-wife and mother to his thirteen year old daughter has never liked me. Carey was hoping she’d take Olivia during the party, but now I guess I need to organize an actual babysitter.

“No problem, I’ll take care of it,” I say with a smile.

“Thanks, hon. God, I love that you aren’t so emotional like other women. Sharon would have flipped out at something like this.”

November 21, 2025 07:36 AM PT

“Hey Momster,” Olivia says from the backseat of my SUV. Momster is what she started to call me after I married her father when she was only a few years old, and it stuck. I love this little girl so much and have been so proud to see her grow up to be such a smart, fearless kid.

“What’s up, kiddo?”

“Can I go to Zephyr’s birthday party tomorrow?”

“His birthday party is tomorrow? Did you get an invitation?”

“Yeah.”

“Yeah? When? Where is it?”

“I dunno.”

“You’re going to have to give me more than that, Olive Oil.”

I glance in my rearview mirror and see Olivia shrug her shoulders. But as we pull up in the school drop off line, I spot her friend Zephyr’s mom chatting with a few other moms.

“Come on,” I say as I get out of the car. “Get yourself to class and I’ll talk to his mother.”

“Hiya, Pam!” another mom says as I approach the group. I can’t remember her kid’s name. Or her name, for that matter. I give a little wave in greeting.

“So,” I say to Zephyr’s mom. “Olivia told me a few minutes ago that you’re having a party tomorrow? I assume I’m weeks late on an RSVP?” I try to give my best apologetic smile.

“Yes, I can’t believe it’s already tomorrow,” the woman says with a bubbly laugh. “I’ve been meaning to call you about it. We’re leaving for Disneyland around eight in the morning. Back in the evening.”

“Disneyland! That’s quite the birthday!” My mind is scrambling as I think of everything I’ll need to do to get Olivia ready for an all day trip. I have brunch plans in the morning, and need to pick up the cake for the party. Not to mention the custom masquerade masks that were supposed to be ready last weekend. Oh, and some type of Cinderella themed carriage, apparently. We’ll have to pick up a gift for Zephyr tonight, or maybe I can go on my lunch break.

“I know! We’ve been promising it for years. There’s still room in the van, and I know Z would love to have her there,” the other mom says and her face looks so hopeful.

“Of course, Olivia would never miss it!”

Another mom— Kate, I think— raises her eyebrows. “You get less than twenty four hours notice of a Disney trip, and you’re just okay with it? You’re such a cool mom!”

Before I can reply, a deep male voice interrupts us. “Cool? I don’t think that word has ever been used to describe Pam.” It’s my boss’s boss, George. I always forget his kid goes to this school, too.

“Hi George,” I say, my heart beating a little faster. At work, I try to keep it professional and he seems to think I’m a Type A hardass, just like him.

“Don’t be mean, George,” the person I think is called Kate says. “Pam is the chillest out of all of us! My kids are always asking me to be more like Olivia’s cool mom.”

George gives me a skeptical look. “Weren’t you just telling me how much you value discipline? It’s something I’ve always liked about you.”

“Yes!” I say a little too loudly. “That’s exactly right. You must keep your kids in line! They’re exaggerating about my cool factor, obviously.”

I glance nervously at the moms, and they’re all looking at me like I just grew a second head. I feel sweat starting to run down my back, despite the chill in the air. This is so awkward. I have to get out of here.

“I really ought to get to work. See you there, George.” I give him a brief nod and all but run back to my waiting car.

November 22, 2025 10:21 AM PT

“And then, Kenneth tells everyone that it was him who figured out the issue. After I worked all weekend to fix his mess.” Madison is sitting across from me at the most popular brunch spot in town. She was my coworker at my last job and more than a decade later, we’re still friends and still venting about the same people.

“Ugh, he is the worst! I can’t believe he hasn’t been fired yet.”

“I know. I miss bitching with you! Everyone misses you, actually. We all talk about how fun you were to work with.” Madison says before her eyes widen as she remembers another piece of gossip to share. “Oh, get this! You remember Kenneth’s old secretary? The mean old lady with the creepy long nails? Turns out they’ve been having an affair. For years.”

“Ew! Seriously?” I throw my head back and laugh. It probably wasn’t that funny, but I’m a little tipsy from the bottomless mimosas.

“Ms. Aide?” A timid voice interrupts my laugh and I look over to find my brand new intern standing nervously by the table. Shit.

I straighten up and try to look a little more put together. She’s the daughter of one of the members of my company’s board of directors. I try not to let myself glance around to see if her mother is nearby and instead look her in the eye. “Amy, hi. Nice to see you.”

“Good to see you, too.” She giggles and looks briefly over at my friend. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen you laugh before.”

Madison snorts.

I can feel my cheeks flush. I try to keep things professional at work now, but back when I worked with Madison, I was a little more…. lax, for lack of a better word.

“You’ve never heard Pam laugh? Are you sure we’re talking about the same person?” Madison says.

“Yeah,” Amy replies, eyes wide. “I didn’t know she even could. All of the interns are scared of her. My mom loves that about you, though,” she finishes with an eye roll.

“Yes, well,” I try to think of something to rescue the situation, but my blood is pounding in my ears. “Of course I am capable of laughing.”

Madison laughs again. “‘Of course I am capable of laughing’?!” she mocks. “Who even are you?” This time her cackles are so loud they are drawing the attention of nearby tables. Amy is joining in and it seems like the entire restaurant is laughing at me now.

Certain my entire body is bright red at this point, I chuckle awkwardly and stand. “I really have so much to do today, I better get going. See you both at the party tomorrow.”

November 23, 2025 7:03 PM PT

I’ve been running around like a chicken with my head cut off all day, but the party is finally here. The caterers are here, the DJ is playing, and people are starting to arrive in beautiful outfits, their faces hidden behind classic masquerade masks. I even managed to find a huge decorative pumpkin shaped carriage to serve as a backdrop for pictures.

Carey is out there somewhere, greeting people. I’ll need to join him soon, but for now I’m just reveling in the fact that I managed to get everything done, just in time.

I take a deep breath, put on my mask, and join the fray.

November 23, 2025 9:16 PM PT

So many people. So many masks.

There is constantly someone coming to talk to me or Carey and congratulate us, thank us for the party, or just chat. I can barely catch my breath between guests before someone new arrives to take their place. My mask is starting to feel a little tight, and I run a finger under the band to try to ease the ache forming around my temples.

“Thank you so much for coming,” I say.

“It’s great to see you again,” I exclaim.

“How are the kids,” I ask.

“Thank you for the gift, you shouldn’t have,” I demure.

“So happy you made it,” I lie, over and over again.

I can barely keep track of who I’m talking to as the booming base from the DJ’s music pounds in my ears.

November 23, 2025 11:23 PM PT

I am surrounded by masks. Everyone is a blur.

“Pam, I’d like to introduce you to my wife, Susan,” a masked man with a balding head says, gesturing to a masked, slightly rotund woman.

“So nice to finally meet you,” I say as I lean in for a hug.

“Wow,” says a masked woman at my side. “I’ve never seen you voluntarily hug anyone!”

“What do you mean,” says another masked woman with a shrill voice. Is it Janice? Or Kimberly? “She is the best hugger! Everyone loves her hugs!”

I try to gulp down some air, but it’s stifling in here behind my mask.

“Hon, I want you to meet my golf buddy, John,” a masked man says as he wraps an arm around my waist and drags me away.

I’m greeted by a new masked man, who introduces me to a masked woman at his side.

“She’s a fitness instructor,” he says proudly.

I flounder for something coherent to say to this new couple. “I like fitness,” I try.

“You do?” says the mask at my side.

Another masked woman chimes in. “Oh Pam, I don’t think you meant fitness. She is quite the healthy eater, though.”

I hear a cackle behind me. Another mask joins the group. “A healthy eater? This woman eats handfuls of chocolate for lunch most days.”

I stumble away, looking for the exit. The crush of bodies is making the room hot. I need air.

“Ah, here is the lady of the hour,” a masked man says, stopping me.

“Hello, hello,” I say to the masks. “I just need to check on something…”

“Nonsense! I was just telling this woman here what a consummate professional you are.”

“Well, thank you, but I really must—”

“A consummate professional?” a masked woman says, incredulous. “She curses like a sailor!”

My eye twitches.

“Cursing? Not our Pam!” another masked woman says.

The masks laugh.

I can’t breathe.

Increased heart rate detected.

Elevated respiration detected.

Core overheating detected.

“Error Code BSOD” blinks across my vision.

November 23, 2025 11:46 PM PT

“It’s glitching.”

“That’s a shame. I loved this one.”

“Everyone did.”

“I’ll just reboot her. It’ll be fine.”

“I don’t know, this happened to a buddy of mine last year. Even a factory reset didn’t help.”

“At least this will be an excuse for an upgrade.”

Laughter detected.

November 24, 2025 12:01 AM PT

TRANSMISSION STOPPED

Transcription Total Characters: 15,571

ERROR CODE AE-35: Catastrophic Failure

Personality Alignment Mirror - Artificial Intelligence Deluxe Edition

Serial Number: 000112787F

PROGRAM TERMINATED

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