You were at a business dinner party and you had enough networking for one night.

You stood against the wall, wine glass in hand, as you watched the intense game called networking. You watched your coworkers approach potential partners, talk up the boss and attempt to socialise their way into a promotion or a bonus. You had done your work, now you just waited for the network to come to you because you were aware of the impression you made.

As classical music played on the piano, you reached into your purse, and pulled your phone out. It was late and the alcohol was barely hitting you because this was your first glass of the night and you were taking very slow sips.

As you left the main area and retreated to a more quiet, secluded space of the hosts large house, you found yourself in a home library, browsing the spines of books as the music and chatter became muffled.

You were alone for a few minutes, before your peace was interrupted and the sound of outside noise flowed into the room. You turned around as you saw your coworker, Nicholas Kennedy, standing by the door, slowly shutting it.

He stepped into the room, a smirk tilting the corners of his lips up as he took a slow sip of his drink.

“Didn’t know anyone was in here.”

You looked at him, your expression neutral yet mildly bothered.

Nicholas’ gaze travelled along your body and up to your face before clearing his throat and looking away, acting as if he didn’t mean to disturb. His eyes lingered on your body, as if he were committing your appearance tonight to memory.

“And I certainly didn’t expect it to be you.”

His words sounded as if they carried a mocking distaste for your presence. He shoved a hand into his pocket, his dark hair falling carefully on his forehead despite the fact it was slicked into a neat comb over.

Nicholas took a few small steps towards you, stopping a few feet away as you continued to read the spines of the vast book collection. The fact that you paid him little attention bothered him to no end.