Gemotions

The afternoon sun, usually a welcome visitor, felt like a harsh spotlight on Thomas. His limbs felt heavy, and his thoughts swam in a murky pool. The buzz of the office had become an irritating noise he could barely tune out.

He watched as his rival, Susan, effortlessly navigated a tricky situation with a client. Her smile was bright, her energy infectious. He forced a smile of his own, but it felt brittle and artificial.

He reached for his phone, a desperate urge to escape bubbling up. The endless cycle of emails, calls, and meetings had drained him dry. He longed to be anywhere but there.