Gemotions

He found himself staring at the invitation, a glossy card announcing Sarah's "Welcome to the Research Team" party. David clenched his jaw, the paper crinkling in his hand. He’d wanted that role. He’d spent months preparing, meticulously crafting his application, only to be overlooked.

His lunch break was spent pacing the hallway, the low rumble of office chatter a constant reminder of the life he wasn't living. He avoided Sarah's smiling face in the elevator, pretending to be engrossed in his phone.

Later, stuck in another tedious meeting, he noticed his own productivity plummeting. His usual sharp thinking felt sluggish. The air in the room seemed thick with unspoken opportunity, opportunities he was no longer privy to.