Gemotions

The fluorescent lights of the office hummed, a relentless drone that grated on Elias’s nerves. He hadn’t slept well last night, and the persistent ringing in his ears amplified the feeling of unease that had settled in his stomach. His replacement, a fresh-faced graduate named Sarah, sat across from him, her notepad open, her pen poised. Every question she asked felt like a subtle challenge, a silent assessment of his capabilities.

Elias cleared his throat, the sound unusually loud in the sterile silence. He gestured towards the spreadsheet, his hand trembling slightly. “Okay, so, first things first, you’ll need to understand the client coding system…” The words felt thick in his mouth, each syllable a struggle. He kept catching Sarah's eyes, trying to gauge her reaction to his instructions, which seemed to be the only thing he was focused on.

He found himself rambling, adding unnecessary details, hoping to impress her. He knew he was talking too much, but he couldn't seem to stop. He felt a bead of sweat trickle down his temple. The air conditioning was on full blast, but he felt a creeping heat spreading through him.