Gemotions

The late afternoon light spilled through the kitchen window, warming Amelia's skin as she hummed, stirring the risotto. A gentle breeze rustled the leaves of the old oak tree outside, and the rhythmic clatter of her spoon against the pan was the only sound besides her quiet tune. Dinner with Liam was always a pleasure; he was such a good listener, and his stories from the "corporate world" were usually amusing.

Later, as Liam described a particularly cutthroat negotiation, Amelia noticed a peculiar detail on his business card. It mentioned a role at a tech startup she’d never heard of, despite him mentioning working for a massive investment firm. A tightness bloomed in her chest, a small seed of unease.

“Oh, that’s just… a side project,” Liam explained, his voice a shade too high. His usual easy smile seemed strained, his eyes darting around the room, avoiding hers. Amelia took a deep breath, pushing the unwelcome feeling away, focusing on the comforting aroma of the saffron.