Gemotions

David, staring at the ceiling of his cubicle, felt an unexpected weight pressing down on his chest. The promotion race, it seemed, was almost a formality. He and Emily had both put in their time. The announcement of the winner was going to be a formality. It would be a simple answer to a question he had asked a thousand times, and the answer, in the end, would be meaningless.

His thoughts drifted back to his first year at the company. He remembered the feeling of excitement, of possibility. He remembered the team building exercises and the after work drinks. He remembered the laughter, the shared dreams, the energy that had seemed to fill every room.

He closed his eyes, picturing the old office, small and vibrant, that was now a memory.