Gemotions

The phone felt heavy in her hand. “Yes, I understand,” Maya said, her voice strained. She wanted to hang up, but she knew she had to endure this conversation with the licensing agent. The agent’s smooth, rehearsed tones only amplified her discomfort. Her revolutionary new material for biodegradable packaging? Taken.

She swallowed hard, her throat suddenly dry. The agent continued listing the similarities between her invention and the patented one. Maya listened, the words a dull ache in her chest.

She felt a tremor in her hands. She finally managed to hang up, the action feeling liberating. She then stared at the phone. She wanted to throw it across the room. She forced herself to breathe deeply, attempting to calm the sudden agitation.