Gemotions

The penthouse was silent, save for the hum of the air conditioning. Sarah traced the delicate lines of the crystal chandelier, its sparkle reflecting in the panoramic window. Below, the city glittered, a concrete and glass playground built by her father’s influence and her keen business sense.

The thought of her newly discovered sister, a barista in a small town, flickered in her mind. A photograph had been included with the lawyer’s documentation – a smiling face, tanned and freckled. Sarah’s own complexion was deliberately pale.

She picked up the phone, dialing her assistant. “Prepare the documents,” she instructed, her voice crisp and efficient. “The usual stipulations, of course.” Her reflection in the phone receiver caught her eye – impeccably dressed, perfectly put together. She adjusted the angle of the light, knowing the subtle power of control.

A faint smile touched her lips. The barista would never experience this view. Never have this power.