Gemotions

The review, a venomous assault on everything Chef Ricardo had built, felt like a physical wound. He paced his small apartment. His movements were jerky, agitated. His jaw clenched tight.

He threw the newspaper onto the table. The words seemed to jump out at him, to taunt him. The silence of the apartment was suffocating. His hands were trembling, and he could barely unclench his fists.

He thought of his parents, who had sacrificed everything to help him pursue his dream. He felt the weight of their expectations, the crushing pressure of their hopes, pressing down on him. He felt utterly and completely defeated.