Gemotions

The café buzzed with conversation, a blur of background noise. He took a sip of his lukewarm coffee, trying to appear calm, but a tremor ran through him. He’d carefully chosen this location, the neutral setting, to meet her. The air in the cafe thickened.

He’d received her invitation, a request to collaborate, to compare notes on the shared passion project. He’d been ecstatic. But now, as she set her portfolio on the table, it was like looking into a distorted mirror. Her designs were identical to his own. The same colour palette, the same stylistic choices, down to the last detail.

He felt the blood drain from his face. His carefully constructed world was crumbling. He couldn't speak, he could only stare.