Gemotions

The coffee tasted like ash in David's mouth. The accidental leak of salary information had left a bitter aftertaste that lingered in his thoughts. Maria, a new hire, was earning a considerable amount more than he, despite his years of experience and dedication. He’d trained her, mentored her, helped her navigate the office politics.

He found himself reviewing Maria’s work more critically than usual, but the feelings that surfaced weren't quite what he expected. Instead of resentment, he felt a strange form of concern. He remembered how lost she’d seemed on her first day, how eager she was to learn.

He decided to approach her at lunch, carrying his own plate. He sat down at the table she was at. "Hey Maria," he said, casually. "That new marketing campaign you're working on, are you thinking about the demographics for it?"