Gemotions

The elevator doors opened, and David walked out, a smile plastered on his face. The casualness, the easy confidence, it rankled. Mark's gaze followed him down the hallway.

He clenched his fists, the knuckles turning white. He'd been with the company for fifteen years, climbing the ladder rung by rung. He had the experience, the seniority, the institutional knowledge. And yet... the younger David made more.

He leaned against the wall, the cool metal doing nothing to soothe the sudden heat rising in his neck. He tried to think, to reason, but his mind seemed to be struggling, unable to find purchase. The air felt thick, heavy with unspoken questions and a growing sense of injustice.