Gemotions

"Coffee?" Mark's voice, usually a booming baritone, was barely a whisper. He’d barely slept last night, the thought of the promotion consuming him. He knew the odds were stacked against him. He was sure everyone already knew who would be chosen.

His colleague, Emily, always seemed to have the answer, the perfect presentation, the winning smile. He avoided her gaze, focusing on the dark liquid swirling in his mug. The bitterness mirrored the taste in his mouth.

His hands were trembling as he handed her the coffee. He knew he should be ambitious, that he should try harder. But a heavy weight seemed to be chained to his ankles, dragging him down.