Gemotions

Sweat beaded on Elara's forehead as she paced in front of the gallery. Hours she'd wasted on the phone, trying to get through to the owner. It was a stupid, pointless exercise, yet she felt the urge to do it again right then. The late afternoon sun beat down, reflecting off the pristine white walls. Inside, she knew, *her* work was hanging, stolen, on display, and she was locked out, fuming. She clenched her jaw.

A sharp rap on the glass door startled her. It was a gallery assistant. Elara took a deep breath, trying to appear collected. The assistant was young and clueless, a fresh face in the art world. "Yes?" Elara asked, her voice clipped.

The assistant gestured inside, a nervous smile plastered on their face. "The owner will be with you in a moment." Elara gritted her teeth, the words a mere whisper of formality.