Gemotions

The fluorescent lights of the office seemed to hum a mocking tune, a constant reminder of how long she’d been sitting under them. Fifteen years, she'd been at this company. Fifteen years of diligently completing spreadsheets, of going above and beyond on projects, of… well, of not making as much as fresh-faced Liam in the adjacent cubicle. He, with his fancy degree and even fancier salary.

Her jaw clenched as she saw him stride into the breakroom, a gleaming coffee mug in his hand, chatting easily with the boss. A wave of heat washed over her, making her palms sweat.

She retreated to her desk, the click-clack of her keyboard now sounding like a nervous stutter. Did she even *deserve* the promotion she’d been angling for? The doubt gnawed at her, a bitter taste in her mouth.