Gemotions

The coffee shop was too loud, too bright. Amelia gripped the paper cup until her knuckles were white. The interview for the head chef position at "The Golden Spoon" had gone well, she thought. So had Liam’s. They had shared recipes, dreams, and a deep, unspoken understanding forged over years of friendship.

The email landed with a thud in her inbox. She knew what it said before she opened it. The rejection felt like a physical blow, stealing her breath. She had poured her heart into that application, into those interviews. The hollowness she felt was vast.

She caught Liam's eye across the café. He was smiling, talking animatedly with the new owner. It was a good smile. He looked happy. She looked away, pretending to read the menu, the words blurring, the images a watery mess.