Gemotions

The air in the office suddenly felt thick, heavy with unspoken anxieties. I, Thomas, had seen it all before, the hushed conversations, the strained smiles, the inevitable uncertainty. This time, it hit me harder.

My gaze drifted to Maria, the receptionist, who always knew everyone's birthdays. She was humming a tune, but I knew she was putting on a brave face.

I walked over to the vending machine and retrieved her favorite candy bar, a gesture of familiarity, of comfort. The least I could do was offer a small moment of cheer in the face of what was to come.