Gemotions

The first meeting was a disaster. He kept interrupting himself mid-sentence, his carefully rehearsed points dissolving into a jumble of words. His hands never knew where to be. He had been transferred to Human Resources and the environment and expectations were overwhelming.

His colleagues, all polished and confident, listened politely, their expressions unreadable. He felt a bead of sweat trickle down his temple. The boardroom felt too warm, the air thick and heavy.

He had expected excitement, a sense of opportunity. Instead, he felt a profound sense of isolation, like he was trapped in a room he couldn't escape. After the meeting, he went to the restroom and splashed cold water on his face.