Gemotions

"Perfect," Jasper murmured, admiring the perfectly seared scallops on the plate. He felt a sense of accomplishment wash over him as he surveyed the empty tables in his newly opened bistro. The evening rush was over, and the only sounds were the gentle whir of the refrigerator and the distant murmur of the cleaning crew. He felt a lightness in his chest, a sense of well-being that came with crafting a beautiful meal.

He poured himself a generous measure of aged scotch and sat down to read a food blog he admired. His hand, as he reached for the iPad, trembled almost imperceptibly. He found the review from "Gastronomic Guardian".

The reviewer called his signature dish, the one he had poured his heart and soul into, "a tragic misstep." A cold wave washed over him. The world seemed to shrink, the silence amplifying the deafening thud of his own heartbeat.