Gemotions

He stared at the email, the stark white background practically screaming at him. “Acquisition Announcement.” He’d known it was coming, of course. His insider knowledge, gleaned from the late-night meetings he’d been so eager to attend, had given him the edge he craved. The raise. The corner office. Now, it was all ash in his mouth.

He ran a hand through his hair, a nervous gesture that had become second nature. The knot in his stomach tightened every time he saw his team excitedly discussing the new project they had been given. He should have said something. Warned them. He knew, with a certainty that chilled him, that their enthusiasm would soon be crushed.

The silence in his usually buzzing office felt oppressive. Even the click-clack of keyboards seemed to echo his unspoken betrayal.