Gemotions

The air became thick with the smell of stale coffee and fear. Patrick kept his eyes glued to the illuminated floor number as it remained motionless. His gaze remained there, a sign of his self-imposed isolation. He had made a crucial mistake with the budget, and the consequences could be severe.

His coworker, Karen, was trying to keep the mood light, telling jokes and offering him her granola bar, but he felt nothing but pain. He’d ignored her. He had to face his failure.

He finally met her eyes, a flicker of something in his own. “This is… completely my fault," he said, his voice husky.