543: A New Bloom

Emma could always tell when Alex was troubled; lately, he seemed constantly on edge. Whenever his phone rang, his face tightened, a shadow falling over his features. It was his friend Nathan again, Emma presumed, likely chastising him over the floundering state of their business. From her corner of the room, she watched Alex pace, his frustrations mounting with each call. She felt a pang of sympathy but remained silent, unsure how to bridge the distance his family woes had created. One afternoon, after a particularly heated call, Alex hung up with a sigh, pinching the bridge of his nose. Emma hesitated, then approached, her voice soft. "Tough day?" Alex looked up, his expression weary. "You could say that. Nathan’s under a lot of pressure, and it’s trickling down to me." Emma nodded, understanding the unspoken strain. "You know, sometimes... stepping back helps. Maybe it’s time for a little distraction." Her suggestion hung between them, an invitation to momentarily forget the