Gemotions

The elevator ride felt interminable. David, a senior developer, was stuck with Chloe, the newest hire. Chloe was bubbly, friendly, and apparently, incredibly well-compensated. She was chatting animatedly about her new apartment. The price of which, David knew, exceeded his mortgage.

He grunted in response to Chloe’s remarks, keeping his gaze fixed on the floor numbers. Every floor the elevator stopped at felt like a fresh sting, a reminder of the chasm in their fortunes. His own apartment, a modest starter home, seemed paltry in comparison.

When the doors opened on his floor, he practically bolted out, muttering a hurried goodbye. The relief of the solitude was immediate, but the feeling of being… diminished… lingered.