Gemotions

The hum of the washing machine was the only sound in the apartment. James sat on the sofa, flipping through channels, though his eyes weren't really seeing the images flickering across the screen. He was waiting for Chloe to finish her "meeting."

He’d caught a glimpse of the caller ID earlier; a name he didn't recognize. The cryptic conversations, the disappearances, the furtive glances – it all pointed to the same conclusion. He knew, yet it didn’t seem to affect him.

His gaze rested on a framed photograph on the mantelpiece, a picture of them both, smiling and carefree. The faces seemed unfamiliar now. The joy of the memory didn't resonate in him.

When Chloe finally emerged, she gave him a brief, almost absentminded, smile. He simply nodded in return.