Gemotions

The morning sun cast long shadows across the empty office, but Maya remained in her dimly lit cubicle. She hadn't finished the presentation, and the thought of doing so made her want to retreat into herself. The only sound was the gentle whir of the computer fans. The quiet hum was a lullaby, and she felt the tug of its promise.

A new email had arrived. The subject line was “Executive Communication.” Her attention immediately sharpened: she knew what it was. Her fingers hovered over the mouse, and her stomach clenched.

She scanned the email. The usual corporate jargon filled the first few paragraphs. Then, the words "acquisition agreement" appeared. The world seemed to tilt on its axis. The implications of this development weighed on her, but the immediate feeling was a strange, pervasive exhaustion.