Gemotions

Liam stretched languidly, the morning sun warming his skin. He yawned, the sound swallowed by the thick walls of the apartment. He padded barefoot to the window, the creak of the floorboards a familiar sound. Below, the city stirred, but up here, in his haven, everything was calm.

He pulled back the curtain, letting in the light. The bustling street felt far away, a muted hum. He planned to work from home today, which meant coffee, then emails, then maybe a nap in the afternoon. The thought alone was relaxing. A flyer slipped under his door as he poured his coffee. Another notice from the building management. He picked it up, reading the headline. His brow furrowed. It was an announcement about converting the building to condos. His stomach clenched for a moment, then he shrugged and opened his laptop.