Gemotions

He stared at the announcement on the whiteboard, his eyes wide. Mark and Sarah, contenders for Regional Manager. He'd assumed it was a given; he’d been the top salesperson for three consecutive quarters. His hands, usually steady, began to tremble, and he felt a strange pressure in his temples.

"Well," chimed in Brenda from across the room, "looks like we have some competition, eh?" Her voice, usually a soothing balm, grated on his nerves. He managed a weak smile, but his jaw felt locked.

He excused himself, muttering something about a headache, and fled to the men's room. He splashed cold water on his face, the harshness a temporary distraction. Seeing his pale reflection in the mirror, he felt a knot tighten in his gut.

He thought, with a sense of disbelief, "This can’t be happening."