Gemotions

The morning sun streamed through the blinds, painting stripes across Maya’s desk. She hummed softly, organizing the files for the upcoming presentation. The coffee, brewed to her exact specifications, warmed her hands as she surveyed her work. A slight smile played on her lips; everything felt perfectly aligned.

The email, when it finally arrived, seemed to land with a thud. "Company Acquisition," it read in bold, impersonal letters. Maya blinked, the smile immediately vanishing. Her stomach tightened. Everything *had* felt perfectly aligned, hadn't it?

She reread the email, the words now blurry. The rhythmic tap-tap-tapping of her pen on the desk became a frantic drumming. Her breath caught in her throat. Suddenly, the sun felt too bright, the coffee too hot, the world tilting slightly on its axis.