Gemotions

The aroma of freshly baked bread usually soothed him. But today, the smell felt like an assault. John stood in line at the bakery, and there, behind the counter, serving customers with a cheerful smile, was "CoffeeAddict_88," the person he’d been confiding in.

The realization hit him like a physical blow. He felt his face flush. All the complaints about his job, the gripes about his annoying family, the vulnerability he had shown... exposed. He felt exposed and deeply unsettled.

He wanted to turn around and run, but the line was long, and he felt trapped. He gripped the edge of the counter, willing himself to stay calm. But the fury thrummed beneath his skin, a constant, irritating vibration.