Gemotions

The award ceremony’s bright lights seemed to bore into Elias’s eyes, causing them to water. He kept replaying the speech the chef gave, about how he had found his famous dessert recipe. It was word-for-word, the description of his own creation. The one he had perfected over years, sharing it only with close friends.

He found himself fidgeting, the fabric of his suit suddenly too tight. He felt a burning sensation in his throat, a need to speak but an inability to do so. The congratulations from the other chefs felt hollow, as if they were just looking at him with pity.

He turned and walked away, the noise of the party fading into the background, leaving him alone with his thoughts and feelings.