As I nod at another person, the smile on my face feels frozen. My hand is tucked in the crook of Seth’s elbow so at least I’m not obligated to shake hands or hug. The expectation of a billionaire’s date seems to be being glued to his side with a vacant smile on your face. Or at least that’s what most of the women here look like.
Truthfully, I’m kind of grateful not much is expected of me tonight. I am physically and mentally exhausted.
My father is comfortably settled back at home now but my mother was an emotional wreck when I left today. I wanted to stay but I promised Seth I would be here tonight. Plus, there really isn’t anything else I can do for her. The guilt of my father getting hurt is a burden she seems determined to bear. The thought that he might not be able to live at home for much longer weighs on me heavily.
Why does it feel like everything is falling apart?
“After they announce the app is officially live to the public we can leave,” Seth murmurs before lifting
his hand in a wave to someone across the room. “I’m sure this is the last place you want to be right now.”
“I’m sorry I’m such a bummer.”
He squeezes my arm. “You don’t have to apologize. How is your dad doing?”
“He’s better. His wrist was sprained and not broken so that was good. I’m honestly more worried about my mom. She blames herself for not hearing him leave the apartment.”
“That’s tough. I can’t imagine how hard that must be for her.”
“I can’t either. At least she finally agreed to get a security system. Now it sounds an alarm when the door is opened.”
“Good. What about you?”
“Me? I’m fine.”
“Are you?” His eyes are probing.
“I will be. What about you? How are things with your shady friend?” I feel bad that we spend so much time talking about my drama.
Now that we’ve moved away from the stage, it’s a little easier to talk. Even though people’s eyes follow Seth wherever he goes, being on the outskirts of the crowd makes it look like we’re having an intimate little moment. No one approaches. I guess even billionaires don’t want to cock-block each other.
He snorts out a laugh. “Well, you called it. You were right about him.”
Shocked, I lean back so I can see his face. “I was? You mean shady guy really was shady?”
“I asked my accountant to do some checking on our projects. There are definitely some things that don’t add up. Now he’s suddenly not returning my calls.”
“I wish I’d been wrong. I wanted to be.”
“It’s okay. I don’t need friends. I have a brother. That’s bad enough.”
In spite of everything, he makes me smile.
“You have friends. I’m your friend. Maybe we’re not meant to be but at the very least, we are friends. You can’t get rid of me now.”
“We have bonded,” he concedes. “I bought you cock. You owe me for life now.”
He says this just as a waiter approaches. The young man’s eyes almost bug out of his head. Then he turns bright red.
“More champagne?” he squeaks.
Seth places his empty glass on the waiter’s tray and takes another. My shoulders shaking, I accept the glass he hands me.
After the waiter hurries away I say, “Well, we just traumatized him. No matter how bad things get, there will always be something to laugh at.”
He raises his glass. “To laughter.”
We’ve done another circuit of the room and Seth is getting ready for the final announcement when we hear sudden loud voices. I look around trying to find the source. Several other people are doing the same thing. Whatever is going on must be outside the theater.