Gemotions

He sat by the window, hands clasped, knuckles white. The city outside, usually a source of energy, now seemed distant, unreal. The news of the promotion contenders being only him and Sarah had landed this morning, and the news had been a blow.

His throat felt tight, as if a hand was constricting his ability to swallow. He remembered the presentation, his voice cracking slightly as he discussed the Q3 earnings, the numbers a jumble in his mind.

He let out a long breath, and the sound of it, the hollowness, shocked him. He had convinced himself that he was doing the work for the paycheck, not for the glory, but now he realised he had wanted to win.