37.

Ella was seated at the small table in her office, a tray of lunch in front of her. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee and warm pastries filled the air. Henry who had become her lunch buddy for a month now was seated across from her. He'd come to join her whenever she was too busy or too lazy to head out for lunch. Sometimes he comes with their lunchbox, or Ella would order in. Today, they had ordered some pastries, but Henry couldn't help but sense something wasn't right with Ella. Although she indulged in their conversation, her face looked melancholy.

"Hey, Ella, you look a bit off today. Everything all right?" He asked.

Ella paused, her fingers absently tracing the rim of her coffee cup, "Yup, everything is good. I guess I was just a bit distracted by my thoughts." She smiled.

"You do know friends are meant to be able to talk to one another right? I am here to listen if you need a listening ear." Henry assured her.