Gemotions

The coffee tasted like ash. I watched Maria walk into IT, her new domain. She’d been my mentor, my friend. Now, she was going to be leading the team. I was happy for her, I told myself. Truly.

My own coffee cup felt heavy in my hand. I felt a coldness creeping into my chest. Her cheerful greeting, the genuine warmth in her eyes... it felt like a betrayal of sorts.

The rest of the day was an exercise in forced enthusiasm. I faked interest in the projects I was assigned, my mind constantly drifting back to the buzz around her new department.

The clock ticked by agonizingly slow. The world suddenly felt painted in shades of gray.