Gemotions

"Are you sure this is a good idea, Leo?" Mark asked, adjusting the knot of his tie for the tenth time. His voice was laced with a certain wariness. He’d known Alex for years, and Alex’s flamboyant pronouncements usually came with a hidden layer. This time, it was a casino-themed bash, the same night as Mark’s low-key board game night with a group of old college friends.

The venue, a gaudy ballroom, felt suffocating. Mark surveyed the room, his gaze darting across the elaborate decorations. The glittering chandeliers and the flashing lights of the makeshift casino tables seemed designed to overwhelm. He ran a hand through his hair, the slickness of the gel suddenly irritating. He suspected the opulent display was intended to distract from something.

Alex clapped him on the back, a little too loud. "Relax, pal! It's going to be epic!" His forced joviality didn't quite reach his eyes, and Mark had the uneasy feeling he was being set up. He tried to smile back but felt the corners of his mouth betray him.