Gemotions

A cold sweat slicked down Mark’s back as he read the email, a salary review sent out by mistake. Sarah, the intern, the one who knew nothing about the industry, was earning more than him. His heart hammered against his ribs. He gripped the edge of his desk, knuckles white. He had worked here for five years, building a career, while she...she had barely even learned how to use the stapler correctly.

He stood up abruptly, the chair scraping loudly against the floor. He needed to move, to do something. He paced his small office, his steps quick and uneven. He ran a hand through his hair, mussing it further. The air felt thin, hard to draw. He felt like he was being strangled.

He thought of his mortgage, his car payments, his upcoming vacation that now seemed like an insult. He thought of the presentation he'd spent all weekend working on. Sarah was probably at the beach. He felt a surge of nausea rising in his throat. He had to talk to someone, but who?