Gemotions

A wave of heat surged through her. The request, presented with a jovial tone, felt like a direct assault. Her vision seemed to narrow, the world outside her desk fading into a dull, unimportant background. She felt her face flush and her pulse quicken.

She could barely bring herself to meet the eyes of her replacement, a fresh-faced college graduate. She swallowed, trying to find her voice. It was stuck in her throat.

She wanted to refuse, to scream, but the words wouldn't come. She focused on steadying her breathing.