Gemotions

The cafe buzzed, a hive of happy chatter and clinking mugs. Amelia stood near the door, arms crossed, the bitter taste of betrayal coating her tongue. "The 'Sunshine Swirl' is a hit!" the barista had chirped, oblivious. Sunshine Swirl. Her grandmother’s recipe, stolen and rebranded. A vein throbbed in Amelia's temple.

She shoved through the crowd, heading for the counter. The barista was beaming, handing a swirling, colourful drink to a giggling girl. Amelia's fingers clenched. She knew the secret ingredient, the one that made it special, the one her grandmother had whispered to her on her deathbed.

"Excuse me," Amelia said, voice dangerously low, the air around her suddenly charged. The barista turned, her smile faltering slightly. "That drink… who created it?" The girl, sipping the sugary concoction, looked at her with wide eyes.