Gemotions

The coffee shop’s aroma, usually a comfort, now felt cloying. Clara watched, detached, as the barista prepared her usual. The woman across from her, a blogger named Sarah, had her arm wrapped around a coffee cup. Visible, in the sleeve of Sarah's shirt, was the unmistakable swirl of Clara's "Celestial Bloom" design, now a tattoo.

Clara stirred her latte, the spoon clinking against the ceramic. She remembered the enthusiastic email, the promises of credit, of showcasing her work. It felt like a lifetime ago.

She picked at the sugar packet, her fingers trembling. The vibrant hues of the tattoo seemed to mock her, a constant reminder of her own naivete, of how easily her trust was broken. The warmth of the cafe was now a subtle pressure on her skin.