Gemotions

The elevator ride felt like an eternity. He had just seen the spreadsheet. He felt a throbbing pulse in his temples. Why would they do this? The faces of his colleagues seemed different, judgmental, and he felt a knot forming in his stomach.

He began avoiding the water cooler, the communal space where the whispers thrived. He was certain they were talking about him, dissecting his shortcomings, celebrating his perceived inadequacy. He could practically hear the laughter.

He started second-guessing every decision, every email. He re-read his emails over and over. He would constantly be running to the bathroom to check his face in the mirror and breathe deeply. The weight of it all was crushing.