Gemotions

The wallet was a Pandora's Box. Inside, alongside the cash, was a photo of a woman, Olivia, with a captivating smile and a cascade of dark curls. I couldn't stop looking at it. I felt this urgency to protect her, to know her, even from this distance.

I rewrote my evening plans three times, each version leading me closer to her address. The feeling was a strange, exciting mix of anxiety and anticipation. The world around me seemed sharper, more vibrant.

I checked my reflection in the car mirror a dozen times, smoothing down my hair. My heart hammered against my ribs. I'd never felt this way before.