Gemotions

The elevator ride felt interminably long. Each floor seemed to pass in slow motion. He was usually so confident, a master of his domain. Today, however, he felt like a fraud. He ran his hand through his already disheveled hair, a familiar gesture. He didn't want this.

When the doors opened, he took a deep breath and plastered a smile on his face. The new hire, a young woman with bright, eager eyes, was waiting.

He tried to sound reassuring, his voice a little too loud. “Right, let’s get started.” He kept pacing, unable to sit still.

He kept talking, but he knew that his words were failing him. He watched his replacement’s face, and all he felt was an overwhelming, unshakeable sense of inadequacy.