Gemotions

The phone rang, and the shrill sound sliced through the silence of his new cubicle. David, recently relocated to sales, flinched. He let the call go to voicemail. He couldn't face it. He hadn't been able to face much of anything lately.

He preferred the library, the smell of old books and the quiet rustle of pages. He found the constant pressure to close deals, to charm and persuade, utterly exhausting. The feeling was a dark, inescapable weight.

He sat for a long time, staring at the glossy brochures on his desk. Each smiling face seemed to be a silent accusation. He felt like he was drowning in expectations.