Gemotions

He stared at his reflection in the break room window, the harsh afternoon sun highlighting the lines etched around his eyes. Michael had poured his heart and soul into this job for twelve years. He'd sacrificed countless weekends, missing birthdays, anniversaries. And now, Jessica, barely a year in, was being paid more.

His shoulders slumped, his usual confident posture betraying him. He felt… exposed. He scrubbed a hand across his jaw, feeling the stubble, the weight of the years. What was the point of loyalty anymore?

“Hey, Michael!” Jessica’s cheerful voice cut through his thoughts. He forced a smile, a brittle thing that felt foreign on his face. “Coffee’s on! And, uh, congratulations on the Smith account. Heard it went great!” He nodded, the words catching in his throat. Great? It had taken him a decade to earn the trust of the Smiths. And Jessica, with her fresh ideas and inflated salary, was suddenly the star.