Gemotions

John stared at the notification on his phone, the words "Executive Team Meeting" burning brightly against the screen. He blinked, certain he was misreading. His palms began to sweat, the familiar clamminess of nerves settling in. The promotion to Head of Marketing – it was the goal he'd secretly, relentlessly, pursued. But David, his peer, was an absolute powerhouse.

His breath hitched as he envisioned the meeting room, the faces of the executives, the weight of the decision. He felt his stomach do a sudden flip, a strange mix of anticipation and dread. He quickly grabbed a bottle of water, trying to compose himself.

"Impossible," he muttered, running a hand through his hair. How could they even consider him?