Gemotions

He found himself pacing the small confines of his apartment, the thin carpet offering little resistance to his restless energy. The information, a whisper from a mutual friend, had burrowed into him. Apparently, Maya, fresh out of college, was pulling down a higher starting salary than he was, even after his seven years of experience.

His jaw clenched. He reached for a beer, then slammed the fridge door shut. His palms were slick. He thought of the presentation he'd meticulously crafted, the countless hours he'd spent mentoring junior staff. His career, once a source of pride, now felt… brittle.

He called his wife, his voice sharper than usual. They argued about something trivial – the dirty dishes. After they hung up, he threw the phone across the room. He felt a deep ache in his stomach. He slumped onto the sofa, the weight of everything pressing down on him.