Gemotions

John felt a cold sweat prickle his skin. He couldn't believe his ears. He'd poured his heart and soul into this company for a decade. He'd sacrificed weekends, holidays, even family dinners, all for the sake of the job. And this… this was the thanks he got?

His jaw clenched so tightly he thought his molars might shatter. He excused himself from the lunch conversation with the other team members, his appetite suddenly vanished. The catered sandwiches, usually a welcome treat, now looked like so much garbage.

He found himself pacing the hallway, his steps rapid and uneven. The fluorescent lights overhead seemed to buzz with a new, aggressive intensity. His gaze landed on a framed photo on the wall, a picture of his family, the smiles seeming distant and artificial in the sudden throbbing of his head.