Gemotions

The flickering fluorescent lights of the convenience store seemed to mock Elias. He just wanted a pack of gum, something to chew on while he stared at the spreadsheet he'd been wrestling with for the past four hours. Then he saw her. Chloe. Bagging groceries in a faded apron. He knew she'd told everyone she was a consultant, jetting off to international conferences. A knot tightened in his gut, twisting like a rusty old key.

His throat felt constricted. He fumbled with his wallet, dropping a crumpled five-dollar bill. Chloe looked up, her smile faltering as she recognized him. "Elias! Hey! What a surprise!" Her voice was too high, brittle. He mumbled a greeting, suddenly desperate to leave.

He grabbed the gum and practically ran out the door, the automatic doors sliding shut with a hiss. The air outside was cold, but he felt a burning heat rising inside. He had to go back to the office, to the numbers that wouldn't make sense. He had to keep pretending that everything was alright.