Gemotions

From her cubicle, Chloe watched the senior managers huddle in a corner, whispering. The buzz in the office had become frantic, almost palpable. Chloe checked the email again, just to confirm she'd read it right. A sale? To a competitor? She blinked rapidly, her vision slightly blurred.

She felt a wave of nausea. The small, gray walls of her cubicle suddenly seemed to close in. She felt a need to escape. The prospect of layoffs and restructuring filled her mind. The thought was heavy, oppressive.

She swiveled in her chair and stared at the empty space above her monitor. Her mind raced. She glanced at the clock. 3:17 PM. She needed a cigarette. She grabbed her bag.