Gemotions

The fluorescent lights of the breakroom hummed, a sound that usually faded into the background. Today, it grated on Elias’s nerves. He kept fiddling with the stapler, clicking it open and shut, the metallic clang echoing in the otherwise empty space. He’d overheard the hushed conversation in the hallway, the snippets of words about a deal, a sale. His stomach had immediately clenched.

He scrubbed a hand across his face, trying to push away the creeping unease that was starting to take hold. His job, his routine, his entire life these past five years... all of it suddenly felt precarious, like a house of cards ready to tumble. He needed another coffee.

He went to the machine, the gurgling sound of the brewing coffee barely registering. The familiar warmth of the mug in his hands did little to soothe the tightness in his chest. He took a sip, the bitter taste doing nothing to cut through the dryness in his throat. He had to know more.