Gemotions

The fluorescent lights of the office seemed to hum louder than usual, a high-pitched whine that grated on Eleanor's nerves. Across the room, Mark was practically vibrating with nervous energy. She watched him fidget, his fingers drumming a frantic rhythm on his desk. Eleanor knew what was going on. They were both up for the senior marketing position, and the announcement was coming any minute.

She remembered the sleepless nights, the frantic emails, the extra hours they'd both put in. The sheer exhaustion was enough to make her want to scream. She swallowed hard, feeling a knot form in her stomach. Mark had a family to support. She had seen him making calls during lunch breaks, clearly stressed about his kids' school.

A soft tap on her shoulder made her jump. It was Brenda, their supervisor. "Can you come to my office, Eleanor?" Brenda’s expression was unreadable. Eleanor forced a smile and followed, her chest tightening with each step.