Gemotions

David found himself staring at the screen, unable to process the email. It sat there, accusing, taunting. His fingers itched with the urge to delete it, to pretend he hadn't seen the words "consideration" and "leading candidate" attached to both his and Maria’s names.

He ran a hand through his hair, the strands catching in his nails. He felt a cold sweat prickle across his forehead. His vision blurred, making the spreadsheet he was supposed to be reviewing swim before his eyes. He had been preparing for this for years, and now, suddenly, the certainty he'd held was gone.

The afternoon seemed to drag, each minute a weighted burden. The clicking of Maria's keyboard, the soft rustling of her papers, was a constant, irritating reminder. Every time she spoke, he jumped, his heart leaping into his throat.