Gemotions

Sweat beaded on Mark's forehead despite the air conditioning. He kept fiddling with the stapler on his desk, clicking it open and shut, open and shut, the rhythmic sound grating on his ears. He glanced at the door, then back at the spreadsheet in front of him, the numbers blurring. Sarah, the new hire, was leaving for lunch. He knew she'd be back in an hour. He couldn't shake the feeling of a heavy weight pressing down on his chest. It had started this morning when he overheard a conversation, a casual remark about salary.

He grabbed his water bottle, the plastic cold against his palm. He took a long, slow swallow, trying to calm the hammering in his chest. His fingers ached from the constant fidgeting, tapping against the desk. He hadn’t felt like this since… well, since his promotion never came. He felt the familiar anger bubbling, then the immediate need to suppress it.

He pushed his chair back, the squeak of the wheels echoing in the quiet office. He needed air. He rose and went towards the window, staring out at the cityscape, the buildings and vehicles feeling a world away from his current reality.