Gemotions

The aroma of freshly brewed coffee, usually a comfort, now felt overwhelming. Clara, surrounded by the gleaming chrome and glass of the design studio, felt a cold dread creep up her spine. She had spent the last decade in the mailroom, sorting packages, arranging files. Now, she was supposed to be a “creative consultant.”

She looked at her hands. What did she know about design? The team leader, a woman with a vibrant scarf, was enthusiastically describing a new project. Clara found herself nodding along, making meaningless noises.

She imagined herself back in the familiar, quiet order of the mailroom, sorting the envelopes. She closed her eyes for a moment. She felt the pressure building in her chest.