Gemotions

"Coffee?" The offer from his colleague, Emily, felt like a rude interruption. Mark looked up, forcing a smile he didn't feel. "No, thanks," he replied, his voice barely a whisper. The news, relayed by their manager during a hurried private meeting, was a gut punch. A sale. Everything he’d been working for, everything he’d built, was potentially gone.

He ran a hand over his face, as if trying to erase the fatigue etched onto it. The usually lively office felt muted. The chatter, the laughter, the clicking of keyboards all felt distant, like sounds from a dream. He felt a deep ache in his chest, as if his heart was slowly shrinking.

He thought of the plans he had, the future he'd envisioned. All seemed suddenly fragile, uncertain, cast adrift in a churning sea.