When Tomorrow comes

Part 2 - The office

The next morning James arrived at the office earlier than usual, the place mostly empty as his colleagues typically start around 9 AM. He didn't need to be here yet either, but he liked the quiet. It gave him a chance to relax, grab his morning tea, and collect his thoughts before the usual buzz filled the air.

As he entered the canteen, he spotted her—Emma, already at work, tapping away on her laptop. She had been here since 8 AM, maybe earlier. James admired her from the doorway for a moment, but something was off. She didn't look as bright and cheerful as she usually did.

Just as he was about to walk over, a voice startled him.

"So, how's it going?"

James jerked, sloshing hot tea over his shoe. "Jesus Christ, Wilkinson!" he yelped, glaring at his grinning colleague. "Do you not know how to not be so damn quiet?"

Wilkinson's grin widened. "I heard you went out with Emma yesterday. How'd it go?"

James exhaled, calming himself. "It was good. Really good, actually. There's just something about her, man... I don't know. She makes me feel different, like... like I'm the only man in the world or something." His eyes wandered back to Emma, but he quickly looked away when she glanced up and met his gaze.

Wilkinson smirked, leaning against the counter. "So why haven't you said anything yet?"

James sighed, shifting his weight. "Because... I don't know. I'm not sure she feels the same. And if she doesn't? I'd lose her, and things would get extremely awkward between us. And I don't think I could handle that."

Wilkinson gave him a thoughtful nod. "I get it. Just... don't wait too long. Tomorrow isn't guaranteed, you know?"

That last comment stuck with James, though he didn't give it much thought at the time. Wilkinson turned to leave, but James called after him.

"Hey, can I ask you something?"

"Sure, anything," Wilkinson said, turning back.

"On our way home yesterday, Emma... I don't know, something changed. She seemed distant, upset, after she checked her phone. Do you think something's going on? Could someone be bothering her and she's just not saying anything?"

Wilkinson raised an eyebrow. "Honestly, man, I don't keep up with Emma's personal life. I only talk to her when I need project approval." He paused, then added, "But if you're really curious, why don't you ask her yourself? Because... here she comes now."

James looked up, heart skipping a beat as he saw Emma heading toward the canteen.

James watched as Emma poured herself a cup of coffee, her movements slower than usual, her mind clearly elsewhere. He couldn't shake the image of her from yesterday, how distant she had seemed after checking her phone, and now, here she was again, quiet and closed off.

"Morning, you two," Emma greeted them softly, not meeting James' eyes as she stirred her coffee.

"Morning," James replied, trying to keep his tone light, but his concern weighed heavily. Wilkinson, sensing the tension, excused himself and quietly slipped out, leaving the two of them alone in the canteen.

James hesitated for a moment, watching Emma as she leaned against the counter, lost in her thoughts. He didn't want to push her too hard, but something told him he couldn't let this go.

"Emma," he started gently, stepping closer, "yesterday... something seemed off. And today, it's like you're a million miles away. Are you okay? What's going on?"