Gemotions

A vein throbbed in Maria's temple. She was staring at the printout, the numbers blurring. The new compensation structure was a slap in the face. She had spent a decade building her career, and now, it was revealed that the new guy, Tom, was pulling in more than her. Her fingers tapped a nervous rhythm on the desk.

She barely acknowledged anyone during the lunch break. She ate the sandwich she brought with very little enthusiasm. The food left a bland taste in her mouth. She returned to her desk, the silence of the office grating on her. The tasks she had to complete seemed pointless.

Later that afternoon, she found herself staring out the window, the city skyline a jumbled mess.