Gemotions

Michael felt a knot tighten in his stomach every time he saw Maya. The newcomer, barely out of her teens, was practically skipping around the office. He knew, he *knew*, the salary details were out of line, an insult to his years of experience. He'd overheard hushed whispers in the break room, confirming his suspicions.

He found himself avoiding the coffee machine if she was nearby. He started taking the stairs instead of the elevator, just to bypass the chance encounter. His shoulders slumped.

He replayed the job interview with a new energy, recalling all the mistakes he made, feeling the missed opportunities. He tried to remember when the last time he felt this excited about his career. He couldn’t.