Gemotions

"Coffee?" The offer, from his colleague, was delivered with a forced cheerfulness that grated on Ethan’s ears. He just grunted in response. The scent of the freshly brewed coffee, usually a comfort, now felt like a taunt. The whole situation felt like a cruel joke.

He knew what was coming. The whispers had grown louder, the rumors more persistent. The meeting was next week. He had already read the writing on the wall. He picked up his cup, took a long swallow of the scalding liquid, ignoring the burn. His knuckles tightened as he thought of it. His boss, his colleagues, all of them would be gone.