Gemotions

The restaurant was empty, save for Leo, who sat alone at the bar, nursing a glass of water. He'd been up all night, unable to sleep. The review had been a dagger to his pride. He stared at the empty tables, each empty chair now seemingly a judgement.

He felt a strange hollowness, a void he couldn't comprehend. He kept replaying the critic's words in his head, each sentence a blow. He'd poured every last penny and ounce of his energy into his restaurant. It had never occurred to him that he would fail so spectacularly.

Leo slumped further in his seat. He ran a hand across his forehead, and felt a cold sweat. He closed his eyes and saw the faces of his staff. What would he tell them? He felt a sense of immense weight bearing down on him, and he took another sip of his water.