Gemotions

The email notification throbbed in front of Ben's eyes. The new salary structure, with a line item for Chloe, the new marketing assistant. More money. He felt a flicker of surprise, followed by a rush of heat to his cheeks. He took a long, slow breath.

He observed Chloe during the team lunch, her infectious laughter, her eagerness to learn. He watched her meticulously organize the conference materials. He witnessed her tireless work on the social media campaign.

He spent the next few days mentoring Chloe, sharing his years of experience and his industry knowledge. He helped her navigate tricky client relationships.

He offered her his office, temporarily, when her own space was cramped. He went out of his way to praise her publicly at the team meetings, highlighting her accomplishments. He was, frankly, happy to see her doing well.