Gemotions

He felt a familiar tightening in his chest as he walked into the familiar gray space. The air in the office was thick, stagnant, and it clung to him. He hated the routine, the expectations, the constant demands on his time. His name was Ben, and he was tired.

He was photocopying documents when he heard a snippet of conversation. "Yeah, my salary is… great. And the benefits are amazing!” The words echoed in Ben's ears. The speaker, a recent hire, was describing their compensation package. Ben’s own income was less.

Suddenly, the paperwork seemed to multiply before his eyes. The coffee tasted bitter. Even the thought of going home, of relaxing, brought no solace. He felt a creeping sense of… resignation.