Gemotions

The coffee tasted like ash in Mark’s mouth. He hadn't slept well, the knowledge gnawing at him all night. Jessica, the fresh-faced project manager, was earning more than him, a senior developer with fifteen years of experience. He'd seen the numbers – a leak in the HR database, a cruel twist of fate.

He glared at Jessica across the conference table during the morning meeting, her casual confidence radiating from her. She spoke with such ease, such certainty. He found himself picking apart her every word, analyzing her presentation, looking for flaws, weaknesses. He wanted to say something, to expose her perceived incompetence, but he held his tongue. Instead, he made a series of subtle, passive-aggressive gestures, such as shuffling papers loudly, and sighing deeply when she spoke.