Gemotions

A cold sweat slicked across Emily’s palms as she sat across from her boss, Mr. Henderson. The information had settled like a stone in her gut: Ben, her underling, was now the highest-paid employee on their team. The revelation had stolen the usual joy she took in her work.

“So, Emily,” Mr. Henderson began, a forced smile plastered on his face. “How are you finding the new company policy on…flexibility?”

She gripped the edge of the conference table, her knuckles whitening. "It’s… fine," she replied, her voice clipped, barely above a whisper. Her gaze drifted to the framed photo on his desk – his family, smiling, happy. She envisioned Ben's brand new car in the parking lot. She could feel the pulse in her temples start to throb.