"So I take what I can get while I can. I'm not like you—lovesick and stupid, renting apartments and burning money for a man who doesn't care."
She left.
Her retreating figure looked utterly unburdened.
I stood there for a long time without saying a word.
She was right. And she saw the world more clearly than I did.
I went back to the banquet hall. Dad had his phone out.
"Giles, let me add you on social media. We should keep in touch."
Panic shot through me and I sprinted over.
If Dad saw the relationship announcement on Giles's profile, everything would fall apart.
"Mr. Gilbert, Giles's phone died. Maybe next time."
I leaned close to his ear and whispered.
"You're a major executive. Adding a junior employee looks a little odd, don't you think? People will talk."
Dad paused for a moment.
"Fair point."
He put his phone away.
Giles looked confused, but he didn't call me out.
On the drive home, Giles sat in the passenger seat in total silence.
I knew he was angry, but I couldn't figure out what had set him off.
The second we walked through the door, he ripped off his suit jacket and hurled it onto the couch.
"So this is what you really are. Shameless."
I stared at him, stunned.