Gemotions

The spreadsheet shimmered in Clara's vision. She blinked, refocusing on the numbers. James, fresh out of college, with barely a year under his belt, was pulling down a salary that was a thousand dollars a month more than hers. Her stomach churned. She’d been at the firm for five years, navigating promotions, proving her worth, all while James seemingly coasted in.

Her fingers drummed a restless rhythm against her desk. She glanced at the clock – 4:58 PM. Two more minutes until she could escape this sterile office. The thought of going home, of pretending everything was fine with her partner, felt suffocating.

She stood up abruptly, knocking over her coffee mug. The spill, a dark stain on her meticulously organized desk, mirrored the dark stain that seemed to be spreading across her mood.