Gemotions

The elevator ascended, each floor a rising tide of discomfort. Sarah had been asked to train Maya, a recent hire. When she saw Maya’s salary on the HR portal, a wave of nausea swept over her. It was considerably higher than her own, despite Sarah’s five years of experience.

During their lunch breaks, Sarah would talk incessantly, her voice taking on a nervous, rapid quality. She’d overexplain every task, constantly reminding Maya about the “importance of following protocol,” her eyes darting around the room. Her usual easygoing laugh was replaced with a tight, self-conscious chuckle.

She felt a constant, prickly sensation on her skin, as if she were being watched. Back at her desk, she found herself meticulously organizing her files, a task she usually postponed. When Maya asked a simple question, Sarah’s response was clipped, almost dismissive, and she regretted it immediately.