Gemotions

The gala was a blur of polite smiles and insincere compliments. Leo, however, was unable to enjoy the celebratory atmosphere, his eyes glued to a man across the room. The man's back was turned, but Leo recognized the distinctive shape immediately. It was his signature abstract piece, ‘Chromatic Chaos’, now rendered in thick, bold lines across the man’s shoulder blades.

He found himself unable to eat, to speak, to even breathe properly. The air felt thick, heavy, like a suffocating blanket. He saw other artists laughing and gesturing, and the sound grated on him. He felt an intense urge to scream, to lash out, to somehow reclaim what had been stolen.

He edged closer, his movements slow and deliberate, as if wading through treacle. He felt his face flush as he got closer. When the man finally turned, he met Leo's gaze with a blank stare. Leo felt a surge of pure, unadulterated fury. He abruptly spun on his heel and pushed his way through the crowd, escaping to the relative sanctuary of the garden.