Gemotions

A wave of heat flushed over her face. She’d been enjoying a casual conversation with the junior team, when the subject of salaries came up. They’d all been so forthcoming, so *open*, when it was revealed that Ben, the newbie, was making more than she was. She could feel her smile falter.

She excused herself from the lunch table, her stomach churning. The bustling cafeteria, usually a source of friendly chatter, now felt oppressive. She found a quiet corner and leaned against the cold brick wall.

The disparity in pay felt like a cold stone settling in her gut. She’d dedicated herself to this company, worked overtime, taken on extra projects. What had she been thinking? The feeling of being undervalued bubbled to the surface.

She pulled out her phone, scrolling through social media, seeing the happy faces of friends and colleagues, only adding to the sour taste in her mouth. She eventually put her phone back in her bag and just breathed.