Gemotions

The fluorescent lights of the break room hummed, a dreary counterpoint to the news swirling in Elena's head. The email, cryptic yet definitive, had landed in her inbox just an hour ago: “Potential Acquisition.” A chill, unrelated to the air conditioning, settled in her stomach. She pictured Mrs. Rodriguez, the cleaning lady, whose gentle presence and warm smiles were a staple of Elena’s workday. Would she keep her job?

Elena’s fingers trembled as she brewed a cup of tea, the clinking of the mug echoing in the near-empty room. She walked to Mrs. Rodriguez's usual cleaning spot, noticing the woman's empty cup. She set the tea down in front of it. Later, she'd make sure she knew the tea had been left by a friend, hoping to provide her some comfort.