Gemotions

The aroma of freshly ground coffee swirled around me, but I barely registered it. Across from me sat Ben, radiating a smug satisfaction. He regaled me with the intricacies of his "new role" at the tech startup, using phrases I didn't understand. His words were a constant stream of jargon and self-importance. I felt a tightening in my jaw.

The sleek, modern design of the cafe, usually a source of pleasure, seemed to mock my outdated office space. The way the light caught the gleam of his expensive watch felt deliberate, a conscious demonstration of his success. I gripped my own, much simpler, watch so hard that the band cut into my wrist.

"It's just...incredible," he said, taking a sip of his latte. "The opportunities are endless."

I forced a smile. "That's great, Ben," I replied, my voice sounding strangely hollow to my own ears.

I leaned back and looked outside.