Gemotions

He cleared his throat and avoided eye contact with the team. The paperwork in his hands felt like lead. This transfer was a demotion, pure and simple.

The new office was a cramped, windowless space. The fluorescent lights buzzed overhead, a constant reminder of his failure. It was a stark contrast to the corner office he’d occupied for the last five years.

He nodded at his new colleagues, a collection of faces he didn't know, and sat down. The silence felt heavy, suffocating. He focused on arranging his pens, his movements jerky and uncoordinated.

He took a deep breath, trying to project a semblance of normalcy, but his hands betrayed him, trembling as he reached for his phone. He needed a distraction.