Gemotions

Sarah slumped onto the park bench, the late afternoon sun a heavy weight on her shoulders. Liam was late, as usual. She sighed, the air escaping her lungs with a slow, drawn-out hiss. It was always a struggle to meet him after a full day at the office, a slog through spreadsheets and pointless meetings. She pulled out her phone, checking the time again, her fingers fumbling with the screen. Suddenly, Liam bounded into view, radiating an energy that seemed unnatural. "Sorry I'm late! Big day at the office. You won't believe what happened," he declared. He was always going on about some thrilling project. But today, something in his bright eyes felt off. Then he described it, the big project, the people involved, the success. It all sounded so familiar. That's when she saw it – the logo on his "work" bag. It was a well-known travel agency, not the tech firm he'd been bragging about for years. The air in her lungs felt thick, like she had swallowed a rock.