Gemotions

The metallic tang of the air made Liam's stomach churn. The sudden stop of the elevator had initially felt like a relief, a welcome distraction. Now, the weight of the silence, punctuated only by the hum of the machinery, pressed down on him. Across from him, Sarah was looking at her phone.

His fingers traced the worn leather of his briefcase, the familiar texture a small comfort. Her dismissive tone in the team meeting this morning, the way she had brushed aside his suggestions, echoed in his mind. He focused on his breathing, each inhale and exhale a conscious effort to remain calm.

Liam shifted his weight. Each movement made him acutely aware of the space between them. The polite distance that they were maintaining felt like a barrier.