Gemotions

The florescent lights of the break room seemed to buzz with a relentless energy, and Michael’s head throbbed. He’d just learned that Emily, the intern, was receiving a higher hourly rate. He felt a wave of heat wash over him. He was not going to join the queue for coffee.

He sat back in his chair, trying to ignore the murmuring of his colleagues. The injustice of it all tightened his throat. Instead of confronting HR, he was going to excel. He would make his value undeniable.

Later, when Emily asked if he could look over her project proposal, he replied with a brief, “I’m busy.” He then buried himself in his work, pointedly not looking up.