Gemotions

The elevator doors opened with a soft 'ding' and David stepped out, his pace brisk. He made a beeline for the vending machine, shoving a crumpled dollar bill into the slot. He just needed a snack, something, anything to take his mind off it. The fact that the new kid, barely out of training, had a higher base salary… it was just… insane. The candy bar dropped with a clunk.

He peeled back the wrapper, the plastic crinkling loudly in the quiet hallway. He took a bite, then another, but the chocolate tasted like ash in his mouth. He tossed the rest of it in the bin, ignoring the way his hands were shaking. He pulled out his phone, already drafting an email to HR.