Gemotions

He watched his reflection in the darkened glass of the conference room door, a stranger staring back. His tie felt too tight, constricting his breathing. He ran a hand through his already disheveled hair, the gesture betraying the panic bubbling beneath the surface.

The promotion was the only thing he had. He had sacrificed everything for this – weekends, holidays, even the time he had to see his family. He could not afford to lose.

His hands shook as he reached for his notes, the carefully crafted bullet points blurring before his eyes. The words felt foreign, detached from the deep sense of self-doubt that had taken root in his mind.

He knew Mark was better liked. He was charming, funny. He wasn’t him. He squeezed his eyes shut for a moment, wishing he could disappear.