Gemotions

The world seemed to shimmer with possibility as Daniel headed to meet his best friend, Chloe, at their favorite Italian restaurant. He whistled as he walked, anticipating a fun evening filled with laughter and stories. Chloe had just been promoted to regional manager at her marketing firm, a position that brought her a lot of pride.

He arrived early and ordered a bottle of their favorite wine, envisioning a future where all their dreams would come true. When Chloe eventually arrived, she seemed somewhat flustered.

"Sorry I'm late!" she said, her voice a little breathless. "The boss was… well, busy." She sat down, avoiding eye contact.

"No worries," Daniel replied easily, raising a glass. He asked about the new promotion but she deflected.

That’s when the waiter came over. "Chloe, your shift is starting soon, right?" He asked. "You need to finish your pizza."

Daniel's smile felt frozen.