Ethan sat in his plush leather chair, tapping his pen impatiently on the mahogany desk. He glanced at the file before him, unable to focus as he waited for Linda. She was never late, and her absence had started to gnaw at him.
After what felt like an eternity, he checked his watch again, a heavy sigh escaping his lips. Linda's punctuality was impeccable, and her absence was unusual. A deep furrow creased his brow, and his worry began to show. He and Linda maintained a professional boundary, but over the years, they had developed a genuine friendship. He couldn't help but feel concerned.
With a reluctant hesitation, he reached for his phone and dialed Linda's extension, hoping for a reasonable explanation. But as the phone rang, his worry only deepened. No answer. His heart began to race, and he couldn't shake the feeling that something was wrong.
