Gemotions

He had woken up with a strange taste in his mouth, a feeling of unease that lingered. Now, sitting across from her, he found her gaze unreadable. He’d prepared a speech, a congratulatory gesture, but the words stuck in his throat. He kept reaching for the water glass, needing to cool the heat in his cheeks.

He was surprised to find himself standing. His tie felt tight. The feeling of separation was sudden. He walked over to her, his motions jerky and unplanned. The space felt altered, the air heavy. He was supposed to feel excited.

Instead, the office blurred around him. The victory had been declared, but he struggled to understand the rules of the game. He felt like a castaway, stranded on an island of his own making.