Gemotions

The fluorescent lights of the break room hummed, casting a sterile glow. Mark clenched his jaw, listening to the murmurs about Ben's new, inflated paycheck. He'd been at the company five years longer, had shouldered more responsibility, yet here he was, outpaced.

He considered the alternative: his old job, the constant anxiety, the long hours with no family time. His current role was not perfect, but it allowed him to be home for dinner, to coach his son’s soccer team.

He took a slow, deep breath, loosening his shoulders. Reaching for a biscuit, he found himself humming a little tune. "Hey Ben, great job on the presentation," he said as he passed the younger man. "Really impressive."