We return to the office, and I sink into my chair, my mind still reeling from the morning's whirlwind.
Jella approaches, her eyes bright with curiosity.
"So, how is he?" she asks.
I'm so lost in my thoughts that her voice barely registers.
Ben nudges me with his elbow, flicking his pen toward Jella.
"What?" I blink, snapping out of my daze.
"How is he?" Jella repeats, her tone a little more insistent.
I hesitate, searching for the right words.
"He's... okay," I say finally. "Yeah, just okay."
Feeling overwhelmed, I stand up abruptly.
"Wait, guys, I'm not feeling too well. I'm going to take a break for a few minutes," I say, grabbing my things before they can ask any more questions.
I head toward the break lounge, hoping to find a little peace away from the endless buzz of the office.
The lounge is quiet. I lie back on the sofa, draping my arm over my face, trying to shut everything out.
The soft hum of the vending machines, the distant clatter of keyboards—it all fades into a muffled background.
Suddenly, I feel a hand on my forehead.
Startled, I pull my arm away and open my eyes.
To my relief, it's Jack, standing next to me with a concerned look.
"Jack? How did you know I was here?" I ask, my voice tinged with surprise.
He smiles gently.
"Jella messaged me," he says simply.
He crouches beside me, his hand brushing my arm with a soothing touch.
"Do you want a cup of tea? Might help you relax a bit," he offers.
"Yes, please," I say, grateful for his kindness. "Today's been... rough."
Jack disappears for a moment and returns with a warm cup of tea, handing it to me carefully.
He sits beside me as I take a slow, steady sip.
The warmth seeps through my hands, grounding me.
"So," he says softly, "what happened? What's got you so tense this early in the day?"
I hesitate, the urge to confide in him battling with the fear of letting too much slip out.
Instead, I focus on the cup in my hands and give a half-hearted smile.
"Adulting is hard," I say finally.
Jack chuckles lightly, reaching out to pat my head affectionately.
His presence feels like a warm blanket on a cold day.
Just then, my phone buzzes.
A message from Ben: "Do you still have plans to work?"
I sigh, feeling the weight of responsibility slam back down.
"Ah, the mean guy is getting angry," I mutter, annoyance creeping into my voice. "I should get back to work."
I stand, handing Jack the empty cup.
"Thanks for the tea, Jack. You're the best," I say sincerely, feeling a rush of gratitude.
Jack's smile is playful, but there's a depth in his eyes.
"You know I'll do anything for you," he says, his voice warm and steady.
As I turn to leave, he gently takes my hand, placing a small piece of chocolate in my palm.
"I know this will brighten your day," he says softly.
Before I can respond, he's already gone, disappearing down the hall.
I glance at the chocolate, noticing a tiny note attached.
It reads:
"Smile. It's not the end of the world."
A smile tugs at my lips despite everything.
For the first time that day, the world feels just a little less heavy.