Gemotions

The aroma of freshly baked bread filled Leo’s kitchen. He was meticulously preparing a dinner party, the culmination of weeks of planning. He hummed a jaunty tune as he tossed the salad, each step executed with precision. His apartment, freshly cleaned, smelled of citrus and beeswax. He felt a profound sense of satisfaction.

He had invited Chloe over for this. It was their first formal dinner. He’d made her favorite dishes and set the table with his grandmother’s china. He was looking forward to seeing her face when he presented the dessert.

The doorbell rang. He opened the door, a smile plastered on his face. Standing there was a woman, a woman he knew, holding a casserole dish. "Hey, babe!" she chirped. Leo stared at the casserole, then at the woman. He felt the ground shift beneath him.