Gemotions

The office was usually a cold and sterile environment for Elena. Today, it felt different. She found Mark, her partner, on the phone, speaking fluent, albeit slightly stilted, Russian. The words washed over her, a torrent of understanding she hadn’t expected.

She stood frozen, listening, her hand instinctively going to her mouth. He noticed her, hung up, and turned, a shy look in his eyes.

"So… how was it?" he asked, scratching the back of his neck.

Her breath hitched. A giggle escaped her. She had to sit down. The world seemed suddenly brighter, all the grayness gone. “You… you’ve been learning Russian?” she managed. A wave of delighted surprise nearly bowled her over.