Gemotions

The air inside the reception hall felt thick and cloying to Liam. The floral arrangements, once beautiful, now seemed to mock his inner turmoil. He’d hoped seeing Olivia here, at a mutual friend’s wedding, would be a sign. A sign that the world wanted them to be a couple once more. But, upon seeing her, he found his breath caught in his throat.

She was laughing, her face lit up by the warm glow of the chandeliers. The laughter seemed foreign. The joy she exuded felt almost like an insult. He found the desire to make himself invisible.

He took a slow walk towards the bar. He ordered a double scotch, hoping the alcohol would help to dull the sharp edges of his discomfort. He wasn't hungry, he wasn't happy, and he was most certainly not in a celebrating mood.