Gemotions

He felt his stomach twist as the door opened, and a young man with a neatly trimmed beard sauntered in. Mark forced a smile, but the muscles in his face felt tight, as if they were made of concrete. This was it. The training. His replacement, a fresh-faced kid ready to take over. He felt a sharp jab of anxiety, like a needle prick.

His hands fidgeted with the pen on his desk, clicking it repeatedly. The air in the small office felt heavy, the silence amplifying the thrumming in his ears. He tried to explain the complexities of the billing system, but the words caught in his throat.

"So, the late payment penalty is…" He trailed off, staring blankly at the screen. He could feel the blood rushing to his head, making him dizzy. He took a long, shallow breath, trying to regain some semblance of composure. The kid just smiled at him, all eager.