Gemotions

The small talk in the office felt like a constant barrage, each syllable a reminder of his lack of belonging. He watched, almost detached, as the new employee, a young woman named Chloe, absorbed the information about the company's archaic filing system. The details he once found crucial now seemed irrelevant, pointless.

"And you'll want to make sure you use the red ink for… well, you'll see," he said, forcing a smile. The smile felt foreign on his face. He felt like an actor playing a role. He thought about the empty apartment he would return to, with its four walls and silence.

Chloe nodded, her eyes bright and eager. He glanced away, feeling a strange mix of resentment and… something else. He wasn't sure what to call it.