Gemotions

“Well, this is awkward,” the venture capitalist chuckled, leaning back in his expensive leather chair. “It appears someone beat you to the punch, Mr. Olsen.” The man's words, delivered with a casual indifference, felt like a slap in the face. Richard’s carefully crafted presentation, the months of preparation, all felt meaningless now. He stared at the gleaming table, his hands clenched in fists. The room seemed to shrink, the expensive artwork on the walls mocking his failure. He could feel the familiar throb in his temples, the beginning of a headache. He pushed himself to his feet, a forced smile plastered on his face. “Yes,” he managed to say, his voice strained. “Awkward indeed.”