Gemotions

The soft rustle of leaves outside his window and the gentle click of his pen against the paper - these sounds were music to Frank. He was a writer, enjoying the peace and quiet of his home office. The morning had been productive, and he'd just finished a new chapter. He found the simple life pleasing.

At a dinner party, the topic turned to wages. He learned that a new, less experienced writer he knew was now earning a much higher annual income. An unfamiliar feeling of unease settled in his stomach.

The rest of the evening was a blur. The food lost its flavor, and the conversation felt forced. He found himself restless, unable to focus. The next morning, his unfinished manuscript seemed to taunt him.