Gemotions

The stale air felt particularly oppressive. Across from him, Rebecca was humming, as though they were sharing a pleasant afternoon tea instead of being trapped in a metal box. She was so composed, so put-together. He felt like a coiled spring.

She’d just landed a major client, securing a huge bonus. He’d been working on the same project for months, and it was still a mess. He felt all the bitterness.

He stared at the floor, acutely aware of his rumpled shirt and the dark circles under his eyes. Rebecca, of course, looked flawless. She always did. She was the star of the office, the one everyone admired.

"Well, this is an interesting situation, isn't it?" she said, her voice light and airy. He forced a smile, but it felt brittle.