Gemotions

Sarah leaned back in her chair, the afternoon sun warming her face through the window. She took a deep breath, savoring the scent of lavender from the small diffuser on her desk. The gentle hum of the air conditioning was a soothing counterpoint to the city sounds filtering in. She felt a lightness, a sense of well-being she usually reserved for weekends. She was almost finished with her day, and she felt pleased.

Her phone buzzed, a new message flashing across the screen. An invitation to a mandatory meeting, the subject line cryptic, “Important Company Announcement.” A knot formed in her stomach.

The conference room felt colder than usual. The air was thick with unspoken tension. The CFO took the floor, his voice strained.