Gemotions

The fluorescent lights of the office hummed, a sound that usually faded into the background, but today it grated on Sarah’s nerves. She stared at the spreadsheet on her screen, the numbers blurring, refusing to align. This morning, a casual comment from Mark, the junior associate, had shattered her composure. He’d mentioned his recent raise, a sum exceeding her own.

A knot tightened in her stomach. Years of loyalty, countless extra hours, all seemed to amount to nothing. She felt a prickling heat under her skin, a sensation that spread from her chest to her fingertips.

She ran a hand through her hair, tugging at the strands. The coffee she'd made that morning tasted like ash. Her throat felt thick, making it difficult to swallow. She glanced at the clock: 9:17 am. It felt like an eternity until lunchtime.