Gemotions

"So, you're the new face around here," his new boss, David, said, his voice brimming with forced enthusiasm. Sarah plastered a smile onto her face, praying it looked genuine. She was moving from HR to project management. Her heart hammered against her ribs, a frantic bird attempting escape.

The office buzzed with activity, a cacophony of ringing phones and hurried footsteps. It was a stark contrast to the quiet of her old office, where she'd known everyone's name, their stories, and their struggles. Here, she felt adrift, a solitary vessel on a turbulent sea. She picked up the phone, her hands clammy, a sudden wave of nausea rising within her.

She excused herself from the welcome meeting, feigning illness, and escaped to the restroom. The cool tiles felt good against her flushed cheek. She stared at her reflection, a stranger staring back.