Gemotions

The fluorescent lights of the office hummed, a monotonous drone that seemed to burrow into Amelia's skull. Another Tuesday. The coffee sat cold in her mug, a testament to her inability to rouse herself enough to actually drink it. She watched, a leaden weight in her chest, as Leo, the fresh-faced junior, swaggered past, phone glued to his ear, laughing. His new sports car was parked in the premium spot again.

Amelia’s fingers tightened on her mouse. The quarterly reports loomed, each number a tiny mountain she didn’t have the energy to climb. A fleeting image of her own, aging sedan flashed in her mind.

“Hey, Amelia!” Leo’s voice sliced through the haze. “Big bonus this year, yeah? Heard the whispers.” He winked, then bounced off to a meeting. Amelia stared at her screen, the cursor blinking, mocking her.