Feeling Scared

With heavy steps, Alex returned to his office… Twenty-five years of his life had been poured into this place, a quarter-century of unwavering dedication to the company’s cause. Yet, now it seemed they were eager to usher him toward the exit, a parting devoid of even the courtesy of gratitude.

That evening, Alex broke from his routine, bypassing the customary stop at Matryoshka. He couldn’t bring himself to face anyone because it was all too unreal. After all those years of relentless toil and determination, he harbored a profound belief that he deserved better than this, and retirement was a chapter he wasn’t ready to embrace just yet. So he decided that he wouldn’t be pushed around no matter what…