로그인Sonia stormed out of the ARS Company building, a cardboard box clutched tightly in her arms, filled with the personal belongings she had just cleared from her desk. Her hair was a mess, her lipstick slightly smeared her face with a mixture of anger, fear, and despair. As she walked down the corridor, whispers followed her, but Sonia didn’t care. There was only one thing on her mind Ethan.
The late afternoon air felt heavy as Sonia stepped through the main doors of ARS Corporation. The sun was dipping westward, casting golden light across the glass façade of the towering building, the very place that had once symbolized her pride, and now, the place that had swallowed her whole.
Her hands trembled as she tried to balance the box. Inside were fragments of her career achievement photos, her favorite coffee mug, and a plaque that had once filled her with pride. Now, they felt like mockery.
Her heels clicked sharply against the marble floor, echoing thro
At the office, Nathaniel arrived with the same calm stride. He greeted the receptionist, took the elevator without checking his phone. At his desk, he opened a folder and reviewed the day’s brief agenda. There was no urge to get ahead of everything.When the first meeting began, he sat with his back straight and shoulders relaxed. He listened, asked what needed to be asked, and didn’t rush to close the discussion. Time felt sufficient for the first time, he didn’t feel the need to steal it.After the first meeting ended, Nathaniel didn’t stand up right away. He left his chair where it was, straightening his notes with unhurried movements. A few people were still exchanging light comments, gathering their papers, waiting for the room to fully empty. He looked at the whiteboard, still holding several points, then copied down a single line not out of fear of forgetting, but to let his mind close that conversation neatly.A team member approa
Madeline rose quietly so as not to wake him. Her feet touched the floor, a pleasant chill. She opened the curtains a little wider. The morning sky was pale, clean, with no striking clouds. A bird perched on a power line, still for a moment before taking flight.In the kitchen, Madeline switched on the small light beneath the cabinets. She prepared water for tea, listening to the soft sound as the flame caught. Her movements were not efficient, not fast and that was intentional. She wanted to feel every step of this morning.The kettle began to hiss softly. Madeline took two cups and placed them side by side. She added a thin slice of lemon to one of them, as was Nathaniel’s habit. The scent of tea slowly filled the room, mingling with the still-fresh morning air.She was pouring the water when footsteps sounded at the edge of the kitchen.“Morning,” Nathaniel’s voice was low, still carrying traces of sleep.Madeline turned.
After the first meeting ended, an old colleague approached him. “You look different today,” he said, half-joking.“Different how?” Nathaniel asked while straightening his folder.“Calmer,” the man replied. “Usually you’ve already prepared three backup plans before the meeting even ends.”Nathaniel smiled faintly. “The backup plans are still there. I just don’t announce them.”His colleague chuckled. “That sounds healthier.”“Seems so,” Nathaniel agreed.The next meeting took place in a smaller room. Only four people. The discussion was more personal, touching on operational details. Someone proposed an option that sounded rushed.“We could cut costs by trimming this part,” he said.Nathaniel looked at the table in front of him. He didn’t answer right away. He took a breath, giving his thoughts time to arrange themse
A small child ran after a pigeon, laughing freely. His mother followed with quick yet patient steps. Two elderly people sat on the bench across from her, speaking quietly.“The weather’s nice today,” one of them said.“Yes,” the other replied. “Not too hot. Just right for sitting.”Madeline caught the exchange in passing, then returned to her own quiet observation. She didn’t feel separate from the world, but she wasn’t pulled too deeply into it either. She was somewhere in between present, yet unbound.A young man sat on the bench beside her, opening a lunchbox. After a few minutes of silence, he turned slightly.“Excuse me,” he said politely. “This bench is okay, right?”Madeline shook her head. “It’s fine. Go ahead.”The man smiled briefly, then returned to his meal. Silence again but a comfortable one. After a few bites, he spoke. &ldqu
He rose slowly, careful not to wake Madeline, and padded lightly toward the kitchen. He turned on a small light, heated water, ground coffee by hand, a ritual he rarely did himself. The soft sound of coffee beans grinding felt almost meditative. This morning, he wanted to keep the rhythm slow.As the aroma of coffee began to fill the room, Madeline appeared in the doorway, her hair slightly tousled, wearing a thin cardigan. She smiled faintly, eyes still half asleep.“You woke up first,” she said softly.Nathaniel turned to her. “I didn’t want this morning to be noisy.”Madeline stepped closer, leaning against the kitchen counter. “Thank you,” she said, as if she understood exactly what he meant.They sat across from each other, each holding a warm cup. There was no long conversation. Just small sips, brief glances, and smiles that came without effort. Outside, the
Madeline stepped closer, briefly touching his arm. “Dinner’s simple. But warm.”“That’s the best kind,” he said and he truly meant it.They sat together, sharing just enough stories without dissecting the exhausting details. There was soft laughter, comfortable pauses. Outside, the world kept moving. Inside, time slowed.After dinner was finished and the dishes cleared away, they moved to the living room. The main light was dimmed, leaving only the soft glow of a corner lamp that made the space feel more intimate.Madeline sat on the sofa with her legs folded beneath her, while Nathaniel leaned beside her, removing his watch and placing it on the small table.For a few moments, they were silent. The quiet wasn’t awkward; it felt like a safe space to breathe.“There was something today,” Madeline said at last, her voice gentle, not pressing. “I could







