Gemotions

He stared at the blank screen, the email mocking him with its cheerful subject line. The words swam before his eyes: *"Cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances."* The phrase felt like a cruel taunt. Mark felt a surge of heat rush through him, prickling his skin. He slammed his fist down on the desk, the impact echoing in the silent office.

He stood up, his chair scraping loudly against the floor. He paced, his movements jerky and erratic. The carefully crafted plans, the months of secret plotting, the carefully guarded invitation list—all rendered useless, erased. He felt a sharp, cutting pain in his chest, a feeling he couldn't name, but certainly recognized. He grabbed his coat, heading out the door, needing to be anywhere but there.