Gemotions

The water cooler conversation had been a mistake. David, usually a chatterbox, found himself suddenly tongue-tied when the topic of salaries arose. He saw the gleam in Liam’s eye, the cocky smirk. Liam had only been with the company for a year, yet his annual income easily outstripped David's.

David excused himself, abruptly cutting off the discussion. His throat constricted, making it difficult to breathe. He retreated to his cubicle, the walls suddenly closing in. He busied himself with mundane tasks, shuffling papers, adjusting his monitor, avoiding the glances from his colleagues. He felt the weight of unspoken judgement, the sting of being perceived as somehow less competent, less valuable.

He knew he should speak to his manager, but the thought filled him with a profound sense of hesitancy. The fear of being perceived as weak held him in a cage.