Gemotions

A cold sweat slicked down Mark’s back as he walked into the break room. He’d overheard the conversation. Emily, the intern, chatting about her starting salary. It was significantly higher than his own, despite his fifteen years of experience and countless late nights.

He grabbed a stale donut, the sweetness doing nothing to soothe the tightness in his chest. He felt a throbbing pulse in his temple.

He avoided eye contact with Emily, busying himself with pouring a cup of lukewarm coffee. The coffee tasted bitter, a reflection of the bitter taste that had settled in his mouth. He retreated back to his desk, the silence of his cubicle a small comfort.