Gemotions

"So, the new store manager is... well, she's amazing," Ben had said to Chloe. Chloe had been delighted for him, imagining a dynamic leader and promising opportunities. Her imagination ran wild. She'd always envied his apparent success – the crisp suits, the confident air, the tales of strategy meetings.

Then, she’d been invited to the grand opening of the "store" – a small, cramped kiosk in the middle of a shopping mall. The "manager" was overseeing a rack of discount phone accessories. Chloe's smile felt brittle as she stood there, watching Ben greet customers. She imagined she saw a fleeting flicker of something in his eyes, a flicker he was instantly masked by a practiced smile.

He caught her eye and gestured her over, introducing her as his “friend.” The woman gave her a brief glance. Chloe’s hands felt clammy. She found herself picking at the hem of her jacket. The bright lights and the insistent sales pitches created a buzzing in her ears. He seemed to shrink as he talked about the monthly targets.

Later, walking away, she focused on her own footsteps, feeling strangely heavy. She kept wondering if she'd imagined everything.