Gemotions

The news had been delivered during a team lunch. Everyone was excited for Liam, but for Alex, the atmosphere was suffocating. He’d meticulously planned, networked, performed. Now, all of that was just wasted effort.

He picked at his food, unable to taste it. The friendly chatter around him grated on his nerves. He avoided eye contact, focusing on the details of his plate. Each laugh, each congratulatory remark, felt like a deliberate blow.

When the meal ended, he retreated to his car, slamming the door with more force than necessary. The drive home was a blur. The world seemed to have changed, the colours less vibrant, the sounds muted.