Gemotions

The elevator ride felt interminable. Amelia stared at the numbers ticking upwards, each floor a measured step away from the only career she’d ever known. Finance. She was being moved to Customer Service. Her stomach twisted.

She arrived at her old office and found her boss, Mr. Davies. "Amelia, come in. Let's discuss this change." He gestured toward a chair in front of his desk. She took a seat, stiffly, her back ramrod straight. She sat in silence as he went through the motions of explaining.

He used all the right words. "New growth opportunities." "A chance to broaden your skill set." But the tone of his voice, the way he avoided her gaze – it all spoke volumes. Her eyes began to burn. Amelia stared at the framed photo of her graduation from university, its surface now slightly out of focus.