Gemotions

The promotion of the new team member, Sarah, to a senior role left Chris feeling as if his feet were in cement. He hadn't been considered. Sarah's base salary was significantly higher than his own, and the injustice felt crushing.

He ate lunch alone at his desk, staring blankly at the computer screen. The usual office chatter faded into a dull background noise. He felt a sudden tightness in his chest, a sensation that made it difficult to breathe.

As he closed his computer at the end of the day, his fingers lingered on the keys, as if reluctant to surrender. The walk to the car felt longer than usual, and he found himself avoiding the eyes of his colleagues, feeling suddenly diminished and inconsequential.