Gemotions

Brenda adjusted the floral arrangement in her foyer, making sure the lilies were angled just so. She’d always maintained that La Belle Époque’s decor was dreadfully outdated, all that fussy velvet and dim lighting. Honestly, it was a miracle they’d lasted this long. A notification on her phone pinged. A news article. Headline: “La Belle Époque to Close Doors Permanently.” A small, almost imperceptible smile played on her lips.

She poured herself a glass of chilled Sauvignon Blanc, the pale liquid catching the afternoon sun. She’d known this day was coming, of course. Her suggestion to open a trendy new bistro in that prime location near the art gallery had been rejected, of course. Well, now the market would open up.

The phone rang. It was Beatrice, her friend, practically wailing about the impending closure. "Can you believe it, Brenda? What will we *do*?" Brenda took a long sip of wine, her gaze drifting toward the empty space by her dining room table, perfect for a modern, minimalistic piece of art. "Oh, Beatrice," she replied, her voice smooth and even, "I'm sure we'll find somewhere else."