Gemotions

“This is a joke, right?” Ben blurted out, the words escaping before he could filter them. He'd seen the internal salary sheet left accidentally on the printer. He was a veteran in the company, and Mark, a new hire, was paid more.

He felt his face flush hot, his vision blurring slightly. He felt a sudden urge to pace, to move, to do anything to release the internal pressure that was building. His fists clenched and unclenched at his sides. The fluorescent lights overhead seemed to buzz louder, amplifying the tension in the air.

He looked around the office, the familiar faces of his colleagues suddenly appearing foreign and distant. He felt… betrayed. Years of loyalty, hard work, and dedication had apparently meant nothing. A bitter taste lingered in his mouth, a feeling of being used and discarded.