Gemotions

The office printer, usually a source of mild annoyance, became the target of her gaze. Lisa had just walked into the breakroom to make a coffee when she saw the slip of paper on the printer. Someone's salary information, left carelessly out. It was a new colleague. James. And his salary…

Lisa's breath hitched. She inhaled sharply, her chest feeling tight. Her hand flew to her mouth, covering her lips. She felt a tingling sensation in her extremities.

She felt a strange disconnect, as though she were watching herself from outside her body. She almost wanted to laugh. That kind of incredulous laugh that bubbles up from the gut. Instead, she slowly backed away, her eyes still fixed on the printer.