Gemotions

The news landed like a physical blow. I had been working overtime for months, exceeding every quota, and now I discovered that the new guy, fresh from college and with zero experience, was making more than me.

My throat constricted, making it difficult to breathe. I excused myself from the client meeting, citing a sudden headache, and retreated to the stairwell. I leaned against the cold concrete wall, the rough texture doing nothing to soothe the sudden heat in my face.

I stared at the numbers on the door, counting each floor, each step a further reminder of my perceived worthlessness. The world seemed to tilt on its axis. I wanted to scream, to lash out, to break something. But I just stood there, the anger a cold, hard knot in my gut.