I had visited the building before, so I knew my way to his department.
As I approached the corridor, I recognized Mark, one of Daniel’s closest colleagues. He had attended our anniversary dinner the previous year and had once helped Daniel repair our kitchen cabinets. He was usually cheerful, the sort of man who always had a joke ready.
But that day, he looked different.
His shoulders were tense, and his eyes appeared red, as though he had been crying. When he noticed me carrying the lunch basket, he stopped walking.
“Hi, Mark,” I said brightly. “Is Daniel in his office? I thought I’d surprise him.”
Mark stared at me for a moment.
Then his gaze dropped to the basket.
“You came to see Daniel?”
I laughed softly. “Of course. Is something happening today? You look worried.”
He opened his mouth, but no words came out.
For several seconds, he seemed to be fighting an internal battle. Finally, he took a small step toward me and asked a question that made the smile disappear from my face.
