Gemotions

The vibrant colors of the restaurant seemed to dim under the shadow of the review. The staff watched Chef Amelia as she moved amongst them, her shoulders rigid, her steps quick and jerky. "Overcooked," the critic had written, a phrase that now haunted her. She avoided eye contact. She couldn’t bring herself to taste any of the dishes, the thought of them triggering a wave of nausea. A sense of vulnerability had overtaken her. She longed to retreat, to hide from the judgment.