Gemotions

The code. That's all that mattered to Alex. He could write the code, make it work, that's what made him valuable. Now, another programmer, someone he barely knew, was standing there, presenting *his* software at the company meeting. The logic, the execution, the design... all identical.

A knot formed in his stomach, a tight, painful twist. His face was flushed. He looked down at his hands, as if they were suddenly foreign objects. His mind raced, seeking any possible explanation, any logical reason for this betrayal.

He remained silent during the Q&A, his knuckles white against the table. When the meeting ended, he avoided eye contact with the other programmer, hurrying out of the room, as if trying to outrun a coming storm. The idea of food was now repugnant.