Gemotions

Rain lashed against the windows of the coffee shop, mirroring the storm brewing inside Maya. She traced the rim of her mug, the ceramic warming her chilled fingers. This cafe, with its mismatched furniture and the aroma of roasted beans, was where she first met Liam. They had planned to meet here, every Saturday, until he suddenly stopped showing up. She felt a familiar ache in her chest, a phantom limb sensation of something missing.

A glance at the clock told her Liam was over an hour late. She hadn't seen him in weeks. Maybe he wasn't coming. As she was about to call him to cancel the date, she noticed a woman at the counter, her back to Maya. The woman's familiar laugh reached her ears, and a cold shiver ran down her spine. The woman turned, and Maya recognised her.

It was Sarah, a friend from her book club. Sarah was talking to Liam, and he was smiling that smile that made Maya's heart race. Then, Sarah said something, and Liam touched her arm. The pain in her heart flared intensely.