Gemotions

The critic’s critique, a scathing assessment of Chef Ricardo's innovative tasting menu, was plastered across the front page of the city’s newspaper. Ricardo locked himself in his office, his face burning. He felt a deep sense of shame and utter defeat. He reread the words over and over, each sentence twisting the knife deeper.

He closed his eyes, replaying the critic's negative remarks. He hadn't anticipated such a brutal take down. He felt as though the world was closing in on him. He picked up the phone, intending to call his wife, but instead he just stared at the instrument. His carefully constructed confidence seemed to have disintegrated overnight.

He wanted to disappear, to vanish.