Gemotions

The warm water of the bath enveloped her, a gentle embrace. Amelia closed her eyes, the scent of jasmine filling the air. The soft glow of candlelight flickered, casting dancing shadows on the walls. She felt the tension in her shoulders slowly dissolve.

A distant thud, followed by the metallic click of a car door, drew her attention. She padded to the window, wrapping a towel around herself. Mrs. Petrov, who Amelia knew mostly from brief hellos at the grocery store, was emerging from a chauffeur-driven limousine. The car was pristine, gleaming under the streetlights.

Amelia's jaw dropped. Mrs. Petrov, who was always seen in sensible shoes and practical coats, suddenly looked like a character from a movie. The realization sent a shiver down her spine, a different kind of shiver than the one caused by the cool night air. The simple life she’d assumed… it was all apparently just an act.