Gemotions

A wave of nausea swept over Daniel as he read the email. His carefully curated desk, usually a source of pride, now felt tainted. He leaned back in his chair, the cheap plastic creaking under his weight. He’d invested so much of himself into this job, into the people, into the very ethos of the company.

He couldn’t bring himself to look at the other employees. The thought of feigning enthusiasm for a future he knew was built on the betrayal of their collective effort was unbearable. He felt like he needed to cleanse the whole room.

He grabbed his water bottle and took a huge, gulping swig, trying to wash away the feeling of violation. The cool water did little to quell the rising bile in his throat.