Where did she go ?

The dim light of my office cast long shadows across the room as I sat at my desk, lost in thought. I had just finished a tense discussion with my mother, and her oddly pleasant demeanor about Elena left me uneasy.

It was as if she had something else in mind, something I wasn't yet aware of. Her sudden shift in attitude was too abrupt, too perfect. I couldn't shake the feeling that something was amiss.

I drummed my fingers on the polished wood of my desk, the sound echoing in the stillness of the room. The usual hum of office equipment seemed distant, overshadowed by the gnawing worry in my mind.

I had hoped to wind down early tonight, to savor a quiet evening with Elena after the chaos of the day. But with the lingering questions about my mother's intentions, my thoughts refused to settle.

Just as I was about to get up and leave for the day, Lydia, my ever-efficient assistant, knocked softly before entering. Her presence was a welcome distraction.