Gemotions

My palms were slick as I entered the breakroom. Coffee, usually a comfort, felt like acid in my stomach. The email, addressed to the entire team, had just landed. Salary details, a breakdown of pay grades, everything laid bare for all to see.

A flush ran through me, a feeling of heat spreading from my chest. It had to be a mistake. Surely, the numbers were switched. There was no way Liam, that kid fresh out of university, was making more than me.

I gripped the edge of the counter, my knuckles white. But even more than that, I was ready. This was an opportunity. I had been planning a conversation with the boss for months, now it was going to be easy.

“Morning, everyone!” Liam boomed, his voice full of glee. I met his eye, forcing a smile that felt brittle. This was going to be fun.