Gemotions

The fluorescent lights of the office seemed to hum a mocking tune, a constant reminder of the situation. Mark stared at the spreadsheet, his jaw clenched, the numbers blurring. He’d meticulously tracked his own progress, the projects he’d spearheaded, the overtime he’d put in. Then, the casual conversation at the water cooler – a boastful slip from Liam, the new hire: his starting salary was higher than Mark’s current one.

He found himself avoiding Liam, the cheerful greeting now a grating sound. The next day, he snapped at a coffee machine that wouldn't dispense, kicking the appliance with a force he rarely possessed. He knew it wasn't the machine's fault, he was taking it out on the inanimate object.