Gemotions

"That's… unbelievable," uttered David, his voice barely a breath. He’d been casually chatting with Mark, a junior team member, when the conversation veered into salaries. David, a senior staff member, felt something cold grip his stomach when he heard the figures.

He felt a sudden compulsion to laugh. But it wasn't a happy laugh; it was a nervous, almost manic sound that he quickly suppressed. He rubbed his eyes, trying to clear his vision.

He felt a strange sort of lightness, as if he were suspended, untethered from reality. He took a deep breath, trying to anchor himself, but the information felt like a lead weight in his chest.