Chapter seven

As I hailed a cab and headed home, the evening's events replayed in my mind. Arriving home, I took a long, hot bath, attempting to wash away the lingering feelings of anger and frustration.

Climbing into bed, I checked my phone, half expecting to find a message from Richard asking if I had arrived safely. But there was nothing. Then I remembered we hadn't exchanged numbers. He really is something, I thought bitterly, before exhaustion finally claimed me and I drifted off to sleep, feeling both hurt and angry

The next morning, I woke up feeling refreshed, the events of the previous night fading into the background as I checked my phone. To my surprise, there was a message from Richard. How did he get my contact? I wondered briefly before eagerly opening the message, hoping he had reached out to ask how I got home yesterday. But instead, I read, 'Party at 8pm today. Don't be late.’ I rolled my eyes at his presumptuousness and went to start my day.

Arriving at my father's company, I de