Gemotions

From her corner office, Brenda could see the entire sales floor. The activity, usually a comforting hum of phone calls and quick conversations, now felt like a chaotic ballet. She chewed on her lip, a habit she'd long tried to break. The phone, usually a reliable partner, felt like a loaded weapon.

She had rehearsed her pitch a hundred times, perfecting every word, anticipating every potential objection. But now, as she watched the minutes tick by on the oversized clock on the wall, her confidence began to erode. She picked up the phone, then set it down again, her hand trembling slightly.

The knot in her stomach tightened with each passing second, making it difficult to even swallow.