Gemotions

The spreadsheet shimmered in the fluorescent light, the numbers mocking Arthur. Thirty-eight thousand, the figure blinked in his eyes. Thirty-eight thousand for Sarah, fresh out of college, with barely a year of experience. He'd been slogging away at this company for a decade, a dedicated cog in the machine.

His jaw clenched. He’d meticulously crafted his image as the reliable one, the go-to guy, the one who always stayed late. He'd foregone promotions at other companies, thinking loyalty would be rewarded.

A sudden, sharp pain flared in his chest, a constriction. He needed…more. He needed a raise, a title bump, something to justify the years of toil, the silent sacrifices. He’d find a way to make sure he got what he deserved.