Gemotions

"Did you hear?" The words, whispered across the office floor, amplified the buzz in Ben's ears. He felt a pressure building behind his eyes. He leaned back in his chair, trying to appear calm, but his knuckles were white as he gripped the armrests. He had put in ten years, his career. Now, this was it?

He wanted to argue, to deny it, but the email sat there, a digital testament to his demise. The air conditioning blasted, but he felt a molten heat crawling under his skin. He needed to get out, away from the suffocating presence of the impending change.

He stood up, shoving his chair back with a loud screech. He walked towards the fire exit, needing fresh air. As he pulled the door open, he slammed it shut again when he thought of all the people who were also going to be affected.