Gemotions

Michael drummed his fingers on the worn surface of his desk, the familiar rhythm a futile attempt at order. The news had spread like wildfire. A buyout. His whole career, all the late nights, the sacrifices… reduced to a line item. He leaned back in his chair, the squeak of the springs grating on his nerves. He watched a dust bunny tumble across the floor in the afternoon light.

He pictured his father, a carpenter, his hands always roughened and stained, a man of tangible results. What did he, Michael, have to show for it? Emails, spreadsheets, presentations. A sense of purpose, yes, once. Now… a hollow echo. He felt a deep ache inside, an unsettling mix of sadness and bewilderment.

His stomach twisted into a knot. He’d planned on using his bonus for a down payment on a new car. Now, who knew what the future would hold? He rubbed his temples, trying to ward off a headache. The office felt suddenly cramped, the air thick with unspoken anxieties.