Gemotions

Michael stared at the offer letter across from him, his eyes scanning it, again and again. The new salary, for a position he considered beneath him, was astronomical. He felt a sudden, inexplicable heat creeping up his neck and into his face. His carefully curated, professional composure dissolved like sugar in hot tea.

He swallowed hard, the muscles in his throat constricting. He’d spent ten years climbing the corporate ladder, enduring endless meetings, and sacrificing weekends. And this… this kid, fresh from business school, was being offered a salary that surpassed his own. He was frozen, unable to formulate a coherent response, as his boss droned on about the company's investment in “young talent”.

Michael could only manage a barely audible, “Right.” He felt as if the air had been sucked out of the room.