Gemotions

He had always considered himself an only child. The truth, delivered in a letter, felt like a deliberate deception. “Your father… there’s something you should know.” His hands started to sweat. He had never been good at handling surprises. Now, he felt exposed, vulnerable, as if his life were a house with too many windows.

His once-comfortable home now felt different. He triple-checked locks, peered out of the curtains, and turned up the volume on the security system. The idea of a stranger knowing about him, knowing his address, his life, sent a chill through him. He imagined eyes watching him, hidden in the dark, gathering information.

The meeting was a must. He planned a public place, a bustling marketplace, a location that offered little privacy, but a measure of security. As he waited, he noticed every face. He imagined an ambush, a setup. He felt a constant pressure in his chest, making it hard to breathe, making him feel like he was drowning in the air around him.