Gemotions

He found out at his desk, staring at the email with a dazed expression. The "Caffè Paradiso" was closing. Everything about it, from the chipped ceramic mugs to the way the barista always knew his name, had been a source of unwavering joy for him. A simple pleasure. He felt completely gutted.

His fingers fumbled as he made the obligatory phone call to the client he should be calling. He imagined the way the sunlight would stream into that corner table, how it always gave the dark wood a golden glow. The place was more than just coffee. It was a space, a feeling, a routine he desperately wanted to preserve.

He caught his own reflection in the computer screen, saw a stranger staring back at him. Was he even supposed to be here? His stomach tightened, and he felt like he wanted to jump out of his skin. He needed to get there immediately.