Gemotions

The morning’s meeting had gone exceptionally well, and Alex felt a spring in his step as he returned to his cubicle. The air conditioning felt particularly refreshing against his skin, and he felt a burst of energy to get through the day. He caught himself whistling a happy melody. He’d made some valuable contributions, which were recognized by the director, and he was confident that a promotion, and therefore a raise, was on the horizon.

Then, a casual remark from Ben, the newest addition to the team, shattered his feeling of buoyancy. "Yeah, the interview process was intense, but so worth it! The pay package is incredible." Ben was laughing, a sound filled with genuine delight. Alex, walking past, caught the tail end of his phone call.

He paused. "Ben, that's great news! What role are you taking on, exactly?" He tried to sound genuinely interested.

Ben gave a brief rundown of his role and the salary. Alex's own smile faltered. He excused himself quickly, suddenly preoccupied with the task of staring at his spreadsheets, his initial feelings of upliftment replaced with an odd sense of… weight.