Gemotions

The office air conditioning hummed, a monotonous drone that did little to ease the cold sweat gathering on David's palms. He sat hunched over his desk, staring blankly at the spreadsheets before him. He'd just finished a phone call with Mark, his old college roommate. They’d been reminiscing about their internship at the tech company, a defining experience in their lives.

Mark's version of events painted a picture of mentorship, mutual respect, and professional success. David felt a wave of nausea wash over him. He remembered the constant pressure, the feeling of inadequacy, the subtle undermining. The disparity between their perspectives was jarring, as if they had lived on different planets. His heart hammered in his chest, a frantic drumbeat against the silence.