Time seems to slow, each second dripping away like water from a leaking faucet. The room is a theater of shadows, where every gesture is scrutinized, every silence dissected.
The boss stands abruptly, his chair scraping against the floor. A signal that the meeting is nearing its end, but not its conclusion.
He turns to his daughter, a rare focus of his attention. Her eyes meet his, and for a moment, something unspoken passes between them.
It’s not warmth, not quite understanding, but a connection that briefly flickers before being snuffed out.
The waitress clears the table, her movements more deliberate, as if feeling the shift in air.
“We’ll talk more tomorrow,” the boss states, his tone leaving no room for argument. It’s a promise and a threat rolled into one.
The room begins to empty, each person filing out with calculated precision.
Outside, the city hums with its usual life, a stark contrast to the tension inside.
I linger for a moment, watching the daughter as she remains seated, a small, solitary figure.
She’s aware of all eyes on her, yet she seems unfazed, as if accustomed to the scrutiny.
