Gemotions

The air conditioning blasted icy air, but I was sweating. My palms were slick, and I kept wiping them on my trousers. Across the table, Jennifer, my competitor, was speaking eloquently, her words flowing effortlessly. Her points were strong, her delivery impeccable. I could feel a cold dread creeping into my bones.

I tried to focus, to remember the data, the strategies, the key arguments. But it was like grasping at smoke. My mouth was dry. I took a shaky breath, trying to regain control. The interview seemed to stretch into an eternity.