Gemotions

“They’re going to get rid of us,” Maria muttered to herself, her voice barely a whisper. The news felt like a physical blow, a punch to the gut. The air in the office felt thick, heavy, suffocating. She felt a cold sweat breaking out across her forehead.

She began observing the office politics with laser-like precision. She noticed who was talking to whom, who was being favored, who was being sidelined. She paid attention to the new hires, their backgrounds, their roles.

She started to prepare. She updated her resume, quietly sending it out to potential employers. She practiced her interview answers, honing her skills, preparing herself for the inevitable. The anxiety made it difficult to eat or sleep.