Gemotions

The email sat in Sarah's inbox, bold and accusatory: "Company Acquisition – Confidential." Her breath hitched. She clicked on it, fingers trembling. A wave of heat washed over her, making her palms slick against the cool glass of her desk. This couldn't be happening. Not now.

Her gaze darted around the open-plan office. Colleagues bustled, oblivious, their faces illuminated by the glow of their monitors. She felt a sudden, desperate urge to shout, to warn them all. A cold knot tightened in her stomach.

Sarah abruptly stood up, knocking her chair over in her haste. She had to get out, to think. She grabbed her bag and bolted towards the exit, the click of her heels on the polished floor echoing loudly in the sudden, unnerving silence.