Gemotions

The rain hammered against the windshield, mirroring the frantic pounding in his chest. Michael pulled over to the side of the road, the wipers struggling to keep pace. He stared at the text message again: "Can't make dinner. Something came up. XOXO." It was from Chloe, his girlfriend of six months.

He hadn’t liked the “something came up” excuse. It had happened before. His hands gripped the steering wheel so tightly his knuckles were white. He had a strange urge to *know*. He had to confirm what he feared.

He pulled back onto the road, his foot heavy on the accelerator. He knew where she was. He had seen the Instagram post. It showed a specific restaurant. His phone rang. It was Chloe. He didn't answer. He was there in less than 20 minutes, parking at the furthest corner of the restaurant. He had an urge to observe, to be unseen, unheard. He waited.