Gemotions

The office party was in full swing, but Jessica stood apart, nursing a glass of wine. The bright lights and boisterous laughter seemed distant, muffled. The promotion decision was a weight, pressing down on her. She had been colleagues with Michael for years, and now…

She surveyed the room, her gaze finding Michael talking animatedly with the CEO. A familiar ache resonated in her chest. She recalled their shared successes, the late nights spent collaborating, the countless inside jokes.

She took a long sip of her wine, her throat tightening. She thought about everything they had experienced, the bond they’d forged, and the future… It felt like a parting, even before the fact.

The music seemed louder, the chatter more intense. The feeling was a palpable thing, a deep wellspring of fondness and regret.