Gemotions

The meeting ended, and the information hung in the air like a noxious gas. Carol's head spun. Newcomer, Liam, was pulling in five grand more than she was. Five grand! She felt a shiver run down her spine.

She focused on the spreadsheets, the numbers blurring before her eyes. The ache in her neck grew, radiating down into her shoulders. It was a physical manifestation of her dissatisfaction.

She forced a tight smile and walked past Liam’s desk, her voice clipped, “Good work on the presentation, Liam.” The words tasted like ash. She needed to reassess, renegotiate, demand.