Gemotions

Rain hammered against the window, mirroring the dull ache behind Amelia's eyes. She stared at the spreadsheet, the numbers blurring into an unappetizing mush. A sigh escaped her lips, a puff of air that felt thick and heavy in the stale office. Days bled together, marked only by the fluorescent hum and the endless stream of emails. This marketing campaign felt like a climb up an invisible, slippery slope.

Her phone buzzed, a distraction she welcomed. It was a meeting invitation: "Project Phoenix - Collaborative Review." Amelia felt a prickle of annoyance. Phoenix? Wasn't that her project?

The meeting room was stark, sterile. Across the table sat a woman with vibrant energy radiating from her. Amelia recognized her from a company event. "So, about Project Phoenix..." the woman began, a bright smile on her face. "I've been working on it too." Amelia felt a cold dread creep into her stomach.