Gemotions

"So," Mark began, his voice barely a whisper, "they went with Jessica." He forced a smile for the benefit of the coworker he was talking to but his smile didn't reach his eyes. His stomach felt like it was tied in a tight knot.

He excused himself, claiming a sudden headache. He retreated to the sanctuary of his cubicle. The air suddenly felt thick and heavy, making it difficult to breathe.

He pulled up his calendar and began to scroll through it, his hand trembling slightly. Empty. Meetings he had painstakingly organized. Plans he had carefully laid out. All irrelevant now.