Gemotions

He tried to keep his voice steady as he asked Sarah, the new hire, about her role. She rattled off her responsibilities, and then, casually, the number. My God. The room seemed to tilt. Thomas's face flushed crimson.

His stomach lurched. He felt a strong compulsion to check his own salary, again, to make sure this couldn't be right. He gripped the edge of the desk, knuckles strained. He'd spent years building his career, and now… now what? He cleared his throat, the sound a rough rasp. He offered a tight, forced smile and mumbled something about the lunch break. He needed to get away, to think.