They return to the office, and Mia sinks into her chair, her mind still reeling from the morning's whirlwind. The encounter with Kevin lingers, and she struggles to push the unease from her chest. She's trying to regain some sense of normalcy, but the weight of the morning has a firm grip on her thoughts.
Jella approaches, her eyes bright with curiosity.
"So, how is he?" she asks.
Mia's mind is too clouded to immediately register Jella's voice. She blinks, trying to focus. The world around her seems a little distant, as if she's watching it through a fog.
Ben nudges her with his elbow, flicking his pen toward Jella.
"What?" Mia blinks, snapping out of her daze.
"How is he?" Jella repeats, her tone a little more insistent, though she senses Mia's distraction.
Mia hesitates, searching for the right words. She's caught between telling the truth and protecting herself, but she knows the answer is simple enough.
"He's... okay," she says finally, her voice betraying a faint sense of hesitation. "Yeah, just okay."
Feeling overwhelmed, she stands up abruptly, feeling like her body's movements are automatic.
"Wait, guys, I'm not feeling too well. I'm going to take a break for a few minutes," she says, grabbing her things before they can ask any more questions. She heads toward the break lounge, hoping to find a little peace away from the endless buzz of the office, hoping that some time alone might bring her a moment to breathe.
The lounge is quiet. Mia lies back on the sofa, draping her arm over her face. The soft hum of the vending machines, the distant clatter of keyboards—it all fades into a muffled background. It's the first real quiet she's had all morning, and she just wants to lose herself in it for a moment.
Suddenly, she feels a hand on her forehead. Startled, she pulls her arm away and opens her eyes.
To her relief, it's Jack, standing next to her with a concerned look on his face.
"Jack? How did you know I was here?" she asks, her voice tinged with surprise.
He smiles gently.
"Jella messaged me," he says simply.
Jack crouches beside her, his hand brushing her arm with a soothing touch. His presence is a comfort, the weight of the office drama momentarily forgotten.
"Do you want a cup of tea? Might help you relax a bit," he offers, his voice kind.
"Yes, please," Mia says, grateful for his kindness. "Today's been... rough."
Jack disappears for a moment and returns with a warm cup of tea, handing it to her carefully. He sits beside her as Mia takes a slow, steady sip. The warmth seeps through her hands, grounding her, and she closes her eyes for a second, just savoring the moment of calm. The world doesn't seem so loud here.
"So," Jack says softly, his voice bringing her back to reality, "what happened? What's got you so tense this early in the day?"
Mia hesitates, the urge to confide in him battling with the fear of letting too much slip. She can feel the weight of the conversation with Kevin pulling at her, but she doesn't want to say too much. Instead, she focuses on the cup in her hands and gives a half-hearted smile.
"Adulting is hard," she says finally, her voice light but edged with truth.
Jack chuckles lightly, reaching out to pat her head affectionately. His touch is warm, comforting. His presence feels like a blanket on a cold day, a small relief in the storm of her thoughts.
Just then, her phone buzzes.
A message from Ben: "Do you still have plans to work?"
Mia sighs, feeling the weight of responsibility slam back down on her. The constant pull of work never truly lets up.
"Ah, the mean guy is getting angry," she mutters, annoyance creeping into her voice. "I should get back to work."
She stands, handing Jack the empty cup.
"Thanks for the tea, Jack. You're the best," she says sincerely, a rush of gratitude sweeping over her. His kindness, his quiet understanding, makes everything feel just a little more manageable.
Jack's smile is playful, but there's a depth in his eyes, a softness that makes Mia's chest tighten.
"You know I'll do anything for you," he says, his voice warm and steady.
As Mia turns to leave, Jack gently takes her hand, placing a small piece of chocolate in her palm.
"I know this will brighten your day," he says softly.
Before she can respond, he's already gone, disappearing down the hall. Mia glances at the chocolate, noticing a tiny note attached.
It reads:
"Smile. It's not the end of the world."
A smile tugs at her lips despite everything. For the first time that day, the world feels just a little less heavy.