Gemotions

Sarah glared at the blinking cursor on her computer screen. The presentation due at the end of the week was stalled. She should be excited, her promotion depended on the work. But the knot in her shoulders, the way her jaw felt perpetually clenched, told another story. The internal memo, disguised as a cheerful update, about an “exciting new partnership” had arrived just an hour ago. She knew what that meant, even before the whispers started.

She slammed her laptop shut with a loud click. She needed air, something to break the tension. The city outside the window was a chaotic symphony of horns and shouting. She needed to escape it all. But even as she turned to leave her desk, she knew the reality of it all, it was going to weigh on her all day. It was going to weigh on her until she knew the outcome.

The elevator was slow, each floor a torment. She wanted it over, to know the truth and get on with it.