Gemotions

The vibrant chatter of the team felt like a cacophony. Maria, usually a social butterfly, retreated to her desk, the silence a fragile shield. She knew she was being unreasonable, but the news of Chloe's higher pay, based on networking contacts rather than merit, had truly affected her.

She found herself replaying the conversation in her head, dissecting every word, every nuance. The injustice of it all fueled a constant, low-grade irritation. The smile she usually offered felt forced, a mask she struggled to maintain.

She began to dread the thought of morning meetings, the forced camaraderie of her colleagues. The thought of facing the day felt like an uphill battle. Everything seemed to require more effort.