Gemotions

The soft, ambient light in the office created a perfect work environment for Rebecca. She ran a hand across the smooth surface of her desk, the cool metal a grounding sensation. The quarterly results were exceptional; the numbers spoke for themselves.

She took a sip of her coffee, relishing its warmth. The next step, the promotion, was inevitable. It was simply the natural progression of her career.

A shadow fell over her desk, and she looked up. It was Tom, his usual jovial face replaced with a mask of forced politeness. He looked like he'd been running a marathon. "Rebecca," he began, his voice barely a whisper.