Gemotions

The critic’s words seemed to have seeped into Chef Clara's very bones, making her feel heavy, leaden. She’d tried to focus on the busy dinner service, but every plate she sent out felt like a failure. She saw the disappointed looks on the diners’ faces, even though she knew it was just her imagination.

She found herself checking the kitchen staff's work incessantly, a newfound paranoia fueling her actions. Her normally sharp bark was replaced with a strained quietness that was far more unsettling. She kept correcting their mistakes, not letting anything pass. She was so focused on the details that she forgot about the bigger picture.

She excused herself from the service and went to sit in her office and leaned heavily on her desk, feeling a pressure on her chest.