Chapter 54: A welcoming party going wrong.

Catering staff carried food in, delicious smells filled the spacious dining room, and she looked around the table at every one who was invited. Not knowing them, she watched with interest as they talked amongst themselves. They were all in good spirits, the tone animated and filled with an energy she enjoyed. This was the first time she was really meeting her parents’ friends, that she was dining with them even, and she found it fascinating. She could have enjoyed it entirely except for the man next to her, whose hand brushed up her shoulder every time he spoke to the person on the other side of her. He could have spoken to the woman next to him, who had tried very hard to capture his attention, but no, he had chosen to speak with the man to her left. This caused the proximity of their bodies to be too close for comfort. The closeness unsettled her and put her on edge.