Gemotions

A soft breeze rustled the leaves outside Daniel's window as he finished typing his email. A quiet hum filled the office as colleagues wrapped up their workdays. He felt a comfortable weight settle within him. He clicked send, leaned back, and closed his eyes for a moment, enjoying the stillness. Someone had left a flyer on his desk advertising the annual company picnic.

He had just pulled up the picnic menu when a chatty new intern, fresh from university, bounced over, cheerfully discussing her recent promotion. Daniel, initially intrigued, listened politely. The details of the promotion included a significant pay increase – more than he had received in the last five years combined.

A flush crept up his neck, and he suddenly felt the oppressive pressure of the low-hanging fluorescent lights. The picnic menu, once exciting, now looked dull.