Gemotions

The phone rang, shattering the tense quiet of Mark’s apartment. He flinched, instinctively reaching for it, then hesitating. It was probably his lawyer. He let it ring, the sound grating on his ears. The feeling was like a pressure building behind his eyes.

He’d spent the last few weeks isolating himself, the patent infringement lawsuit consuming his every thought. He knew he'd been careless with his research. Now, he faced financial ruin. He grabbed a glass of water, his hand shaking so much he spilled some.

He pictured his rival, the man whose invention had stolen his dream. He pictured the courtroom, the endless legal battles. He slammed the glass down on the counter.