Gemotions

"Just breathe," he muttered to himself, the words feeling hollow. The meeting room felt like a pressure cooker. He kept fidgeting with his pen, clicking it repeatedly, the sound echoing in the tense silence. He had to win this. His family depended on it.

He caught the eye of the CEO and offered a forced smile. His heart hammered against his ribs like a trapped bird. He'd prepped for weeks, meticulously crafting his pitch, memorizing facts and figures. Yet, now, his throat felt constricted, making it difficult to speak. He tried to project confidence, but he felt like he was a puppet on a string.

He looked over at Sarah, who was sitting opposite him. Her gaze was steady.