Evelyn took the news surprisingly well, which was disconcerting in its own way. I told her that there was to be no contact between her and me for the time being, aside from when it was absolutely necessary for Grace's sake. Her response via text was all too typical of her.

• I trust there will be no delays in this month's payments?

Rereading the text the day of the gala, I couldn't help but shake my head in disdain. When I read it the first time, it simply confirmed what I'd thought, that her rekindled "interest" in me was simply her way of getting something. In this case, it was her way of taking care of the competition, that being Mary. After all, what better way to make sure that Evelyn could continue to live the lavish lifestyle that my alimony payments afforded her than to dispense with any woman who might occupy my attention?

Part of me was glad that I'd learned this before I did something too stupid, but that wasn't exactly the case. After all, things between Mary and me had been perhaps irreparably damaged. I had little idea of what to do on that front; Mary didn't seem at all interested in speaking with me, and once this project was taken care of, I couldn't see any other way to handle the situation than to transfer her to another executive.

I'd made my stupid, drunken mistake, and now I was paying the price. I suppose at least I could take comfort in the fact that I was getting what I deserved.

"Papa, you look fancy," said Grace as she watched me tie my tie from her vantage point at the entrance to the bedroom.

"Why thank you, darling," I said, finishing the four-in-hand knot with a deft tug. "Tonight's a big night for Papa; it's good to know that I've got the approval of the most important little lady in the city."

"Are you going with Mary?" she asked, eagerness bracing her voice.

I winced at this; Grace had been asking about Mary non-stop since the incident, wondering where she'd gone in such a hurry, and if it might be her fault in some way. I assured her that this wasn't at all the case, and though she seemed relieved, she still wanted to see Mary again. I hadn't the heart to tell her that she'd likely not see Mary for a very long time; that could at least wait until after the event tonight.

"She'll be there," I said, giving an evasive answer that didn't sit well with me.

"Please tell her that I said ‘hi'," said Grace, an expectant smile on her face.

"I certainly will, darling," I said, scooping Grace up off the floor and planting a kiss on her forehead.

Moments later, the sitter arrived, followed soon after by my car. I gave Grace another kiss and headed out, unsure of just what to expect this evening. I spent the car ride twisting myself into knots. It was silly; this evening was all about celebration of the hard work Mary and I had done, but all I could think about was how badly I'd ruined things between her and I. However important our success here in New York might have been, I'll forever think of this time as a period of mistakes and regrets. But I knew I had no one but myself to blame.

I arrived at the building near Central Park where the evening was taking place. It was Junior's New York apartment, and I'd heard from others just how impressive a place it was. When I arrived at the penthouse, I realized that there were no exaggerations about it; it was an absolute palace in the sky. The sweeping view of the city was breathtaking, and the space reminded me almost of a cathedral in how open and vast it was. It was big enough to accommodate the hundred or so employees in attendance, as well as a full catering staff and a jazz band playing live music. The décor was a little gaudy –gold and marble everywhere to be seen- but that was to be expected for a man like Junior.

I scanned the crowd as I entered, the eyes of the attendees falling onto me with recognition. The various executives and other high-ranking employees all wanted to congratulate me for the job I'd done, lavishing me with praise.

But all I cared about was finding Mary.

After more searching, I finally spotted her. She was standing in the center of a group of well-dressed men and women, looking the picture of beauty in a lovely dress. I was overjoyed to see her, but the sight of her served to remind me of just what I'd put her through, and a keen aching took hold of my heart. And strangely enough, Junior was at her side. Were they here as a couple?

"There's my boy," said Mr. Langford, stepping out of the crowd, a glass of champagne in his hand, and greeting me with a warm handshake.

"A pleasure to see you, Mr. Langford," I said, returning the gesture.

"How many times do I have to tell you," he said, "I'll make good trouble for you if you insist on calling me that."

"Ah, pardon my manners, Richard."

He gave me a firm pat on the arm.

"We're all just beside ourselves with what you've been able to accomplish here," he said. "Rest assured that once this expansion takes place, your future at Langford is more than assured."

"That means a lot to me," I said, my eyes darting over to Mary as I spoke. "But it's all in a day's work."

"Always the modest one," said Richard. "We could use some of that around here."

His gaze drifted to Junior.

"I swear, the man takes a supervisory role over the expansion and can't wait to brag to anyone within earshot about what he's done. It was a good job, to be sure, but a little humbleness isn't too much to ask for, I feel."

"Pardon?" I asked, unsure of what he meant.

"Oh, you know," he said. "Junior's role in the expansion. I wanted to leave this all to you and Mary, but he insisted that he take some role. Of course, I only found out about it when he arrived in the city."

I was utterly gobsmacked. Was he really suggesting that Junior was taking credit for all of this?

"But he can be useful; I just hope you're able to cover yourself in some of the glory before he gobbles it all up," said Richard.

"Ah, yes," I said. "I'll have to do a little bragging of my own."

"That's the spirit," said Richard. "You've earned more than a few accolades. You and that assistant of yours; she's a real wonder, that one."

I couldn't help but smile.

"Indeed she is," I said.

"Well," said Richard. "This evening is all about you three, so enjoy yourselves. And I look forward to speaking with you once this is all done."

"Thanks again, Richard," I said, shaking his hand once again.

He gave me a nod and was off. Anger boiled in my stomach as soon as he departed. I wanted to throttle that little rich brat Junior right there in front of everyone. Mary and I had been busting our asses on this project for quite some time, and here he was thinking he could just zip in and take the credit. And though he appeared to have Mary as his date, it was clear by the look on her face that she wasn't exactly thrilled about all of this.

I had to do something. But what? I snatched a glass of champagne off a passing server's tray and drained about half of it in one gulp. Right then and there, I resolved to speak to Junior.

"Richard," I said approaching him through the crowd.

Mary was at his side, and her face turned a deep red upon seeing me. My heart filled with longing once again, but as she turned away I knew that she still felt no desire to speak with me.

"Ah, the man of the hour," said Junior, waving away the employees gathered around him and turning to Mary. "I don't need to introduce you to my lovely date; we've already made quite the trio."

Mary blushed again.

"I'm going to use the girl's room," she said.

"Don't be long," said Junior. "Every moment that I don't get to see you in that dress is nothing less than a little tragedy."

Mary nodded an uncomfortable manner and hurried off.

"Just what the hell do you think you're doing?" I asked in a hushed, angered tone.

Junior raised his eyebrows in a curious manner.

"Whatever do you mean?"

"Don't play dumb with me," I said. "You know damn well that you had no role in this expansion beyond lounging around in the apartment your daddy bought for you and bothering the two of us. How dare you take credit for work that you didn't perform?"

Junior wasn't phased in the slightest.

"As the senior ranking employee in the city, everything here that took place was under my auspices. So, in a matter of speaking, I was the acting supervisor."

"'In a matter of speaking'," I hissed with contempt. "You're a fraud. You have no place in this company."

Junior shook his head sadly.

"My name was on the building, the last time I checked. And what's more, I'll thank you to refrain from talking to a superior in such a manner. I know you're a little heated these days, but such careless words could severely affect your role here at Langford. I will be your future boss, after all."

"You're not fit to run a bloody Baskin Robbins," I said.

Junior narrowed his eyes.

"Think very, very carefully before you speak again," he said. "Pay heed to the potential consequences. I'd hate for you to end this wonderful evening with you having to explain to your daughter why daddy no longer has a job."

I wanted to slug him right then and there. But he was right; I could only go so far without risking everything.

"That's a good boy," he said, patting me on the cheek. "Now, run along and have another glass of champagne. The evening is just getting started."

With that, he turned and melted back into the crowd, leaving me with nothing but a boiling anger in my stomach.

I had to do something, but what? Perhaps Mary could be reasoned with. At the very least, I had to try to speak with her. I hurried through the crowd, trying to find just where she'd run off to. Eventually, I spotted her on one of the balconies, her back to the party as she looked out over the city, her chestnut hair draped in thick curls over her fair shoulders. She was painfully beautiful.

"Mary," I said.

"Please," she said, turning her head just a bit. "I don't want to speak with you."

"But we have to talk," I said. "I just spoke with Junior, and he told me tha-"

Now she turned fully to face me, her face in a tight expression of anger.

"Told you what, that he's taking all the credit for our work, going around telling everyone that he did the heavy lifting while we did nothing but send emails and make appointments? Yeah, I know. He's so confident about his bullshit that he bragged to me on the way over. That is, when he wasn't trying to put his hands up my dress."

I didn't think my anger could grow any hotter, but hearing this did just that.

"We have to try to do something," I said. "We can't let him get away with this."

"But he already has," said Mary. "He's taking the credit, he's pressured me into being his date; he's already done what he's wanted. And what can we do? He's the boss's son, after all."

Her attitude was defeated, but I couldn't argue with her. Junior had won, and there was not a thing we could do. The idea of explaining the situation with Evelyn occurred to me, but Mary didn't seem at all amenable to a conversation like that, to put it lightly.

"Now, if you don't mind, I'm going to go inside, drink some more champagne, and pretend that everything's alright. Please tell Gracie that I miss her and want to see her soon."

And with that, she blew past me and back into the party.

Standing on that balcony, the muted music barely audible over the sound of the low, howling wind, I felt more alone than I had in as long as I could remember. And as helpless.