Gemotions

He found himself avoiding eye contact, even with the receptionist, Sarah, who always had a smile. The email had arrived, stark and unforgiving, confirming the rumors. A knot tightened in his stomach as he watched her, suddenly seeing her as a witness to his inadequacy. His carefully constructed persona, the one he presented to his colleagues, felt fragile, ready to shatter. He’d bragged about his job security, about his future, about his contributions to the company. Now, it all seemed hollow, empty words echoing in the vast emptiness he felt inside.