Gemotions

He found himself avoiding the lunchroom, the chatter and laughter of his colleagues grating on his nerves. Mark, usually eager for a chat, now ate at his desk, picking at a sandwich he couldn't taste. The discovery that Emily, the new intern, was earning a higher salary had settled in his gut like a lead weight.

The quarterly report he was working on felt… pointless. Years of experience, of late nights, of going above and beyond, and for what? To be outpaced by someone still learning the ropes? He ran his fingers over the keyboard, each keystroke feeling heavy and slow.

His tie felt too tight, constricting his breathing. He imagined the corner office, the one he had always coveted, and felt a cold emptiness inside. He couldn’t bring himself to even envision getting it anymore.