Gemotions

The stale scent of the breakroom coffee made him feel ill. He saw the numbers staring back at him as he stared at the company website. The salaries of those who had recently left the company. The young employee, Jessica, had a higher offer than his current pay. He felt like he was locked in a room.

He crumpled a paper napkin, then tossed it in the trash. The thought of asking for a raise, of making a complaint, filled him with dread. He avoided the employee he knew made more. He walked back to his desk, the silence of the office amplifying the feeling of being held down.