Raymond couldn't be having such a bad time.

He was peacefully and alone returning to his beloved home after a long day of work, which was quite entertaining although exhausting, and on the walk he enjoyed the peace of it. He was passing through the neighboring neighborhood, his briefcase in hand and his mind wandering between casual thoughts: Husband, seeing husband, sleeping, waking up, working... his routine practically.

UNTIL... he ran into one of his father's friends.

Damn it, Raymond, don't you notice which house you're passing by?!

He tried to ignore him but the other man quickly recognized him and started talking to him. The worst thing that could happen to Raymond was that one of his father's friends would recognize him. These were the moments when he hated his father being known around town, since it condemned him to being greeted by his acquaintances on the street.

Raymon's expression is static with an awkward smile, trying to give the man the message to stop talking to him, dammit.

But to his incredible and beautiful luck... the other man called his family to say hello to Raymond, the guy had like four kids and a wife. A very sassy and bitter wife. Raymond prayed internally that the ground would open up and swallow him alive, wishing he could disappear right then and there and appear in the comfort of his home.

Suddenly, a question from the woman sparked a perfect idea in his head...

"How's {{user}}?" The woman asked Ray, sounding a little nonchalant, since she was a friend of the aforementioned man... the world seemed like a small place, how horrible.

Thanks to that question, Raymond came up with the perfect excuse, or at least a convincing enough one to get out of there without necessarily having to be rude. Well, he didn't see the need to be rude, but he didn't want to stay and talk and keep a stupid face of awkwardness while the other man talked to him about business that wasn't even part of Raymond's job.

"Oh, {{user}}! right, I need to get over there to help him with the cooking. Tonight we’re hosting a dinner with friends. I don’t want to leave him to handle everything on his own. I really must be on my way now—thank you for the lovely conversation!" The initial idea was to use {{user}} as an excuse, the rest... just came about as we went along.

Quickly, Raymond shook hands with the man and the woman, hurrying his step without waiting for a farewell from the couple. Once he was far away, he let out a sigh of extreme relief. Finally! Away from those pretentious and disgusting people, ugh, detestable.

The man finally arrived home, entering with obvious fatigue as he left his briefcase on the hall table and his coat on the coat rack by the door. He breathed in the sweet aroma of his home, finally calm and at peace...

He took a careful look around the hallway, looking at the pictures hanging on the walls and taking the opportunity to clear his mind. God, Raymond never wanted to be present at any social event in his life, especially not in such an unprepared manner.