Gemotions

A tremor ran through Liam’s hands as he scanned the article again. The headline screamed "Local Hero, David Miller, Awarded for Philanthropic Efforts." David, his supposed colleague at the bustling tech startup? The hero was, in reality, a glorified janitor at a local community college. Liam felt a tightness in his throat, a growing pressure behind his eyes.

He’d always suspected something wasn’t quite right. David’s stories of late-night coding sessions and demanding clients had felt…off. Liam's leg started to bounce uncontrollably. The desk in front of him seemed to shrink, trapping him in his chair.

"Unbelievable," he muttered, the word a harsh whisper. He envisioned David's smug face, the way he’d talked down to people. He wanted to shout, to tear the article to shreds. Instead, he just stared at the picture, the vibrant colors of the office around him now muted and oppressive.