I didn't feel good about leaving Sam out there by himself, but what else could I do? I'd been spending the last few hours boiling over about what Junior was putting me through, and Sam wanted nothing more than to…what? Come up with a plan which had no chance of succeeding? I wasn't in the mood for anything like that; all I wanted to do was resign myself to my fate and hope that I could get through the evening without having to do anything with Junior that I really did not want to do.

Back in the party, I weaved through the crowd, grabbing another champagne flute. I found myself wondering if I was subconsciously trying to get myself drunk enough to make a scene, or to pass out, or something. I hated that this was supposed to be an evening to relax, but because of some snotty little punk, it was anything but enjoyable.

I was pulled into a few conversations here and there, most with executives whom I'd only met in passing at that business meeting where I learned I was paired with Sam. Back then, they couldn't have been less interested in getting to know me, but now that I was part of the big expansion, they were full of small talk.

But I was too preoccupied to fully participate. I wanted nothing more than to slink around and to avoid Junior as best I could.

"There's the girl," came the exact voice that I didn't want to hear.

I turned, and there was Junior. He was already a little unsteady on his feet, and in his hand was a tall glass of something boozy and brown. His eyes flickered with a disgusting lust.

"Come, come," he said, sidling to my arm and slipping it through his. "It looks a trifle odd I'm not with my lovely, lovely companion."

"I suppose so," I said.

He turned to me, picking up on my resigned tone.

"Now, why so glum?" he asked. "You're here at a night for celebrating all that you've accomplished in this fine city. It's a night of glory for the three of us, and all you and Sam do is wallow in self-pity about one thing or another. Well, you can do that all you like, I suppose, but I'm going to enjoy myself, thank you very much."

Then, before I could say another word, Junior stepped onto the nearest chair and tapped his glass with his fingertip, the chiming sound catching the attention of the party.

"Now, let's pay attention everyone," he said, his voice slurring slightly. "Before we all get too far into our cups, I'd like to give a little toast."

He raised his glass.

"It's was a difficult little project, but with the help of my lovely assistant –and date, I might add- I was able to pull off a long-overdue expansion for our humble company. So, let us all give a toast to Langford, and the prosperous future that we all have to look forward to once we're stretched across from one end of the pond to the other."

I couldn't help but notice that Sam was left out of this little speech.

He raised his glass, the booze sloshing around and nearly spilling over the top.

"Sam," said Richard Sr., his deep voice commanding the attention of the room. "Why don't you say a word or two about what you were able to accomplish here."

Junior's expression tightened, and I could tell that he was none-too-happy about having the spotlight stolen from him.

The crowd turned and faced Sam, who sipped his drink as he stood leaning against one of the marble columns. One leg crossed over the other, his drink held in front of his chest, he looked the picture of effortless sophistication. One of the musicians from the nearby band handed him a mic, and Sam tapped it to confirm that it was on.

"Ah, well, this is unexpected," he said. "But as long as I have the opportunity to address all of you, I'd like to thank everyone here for permitting me to be part of the most stellar team that I've had the pleasure of working with. I couldn't have done a thing without the skills that I've been able to develop at Langford, and for that, I'm forever in all of your debt."

Murmurs of pleased chatter sounded from the crowd.

"And Richard, I'd like to thank you for the guidance you've given me over the years. For someone like myself a mentor like you is the greatest gift one could ask for, and I look forward to many more years of working as a member of your fine organization."

Richard raised his glass and nodded.

"And I'd also like to give a thank you to Mary Metzger."

Now the crowd turned, my face flushing as every set of eyes in the room fell upon me.

"This was a tall order that you and I were both tasked with, and I'll admit that at first, I wasn't sure if you and I would be able to pull off what needed to be done. But you rose to the occasion in a manner that I could only have dreamed of, and despite the difficulties we've faced along the way, I want to recognize the hard work you've done in front of everyone here. This simply wouldn't be happening without you."

My heart tingled at this. Sam's speech was kind, gracious, and humble- everything that Junior's wasn't. And as he stood there, effortlessly commanding the attention of the room, the picture of a mature, confident man, part of me knew that he had truly changed from the man he once was.

But it was perhaps too late to do anything about what had happened between us.

"But enough of my chatter. This night is about Langford Holdings, and all the people who work so hard every single day. Cheers!"

"Cheers!" responded the crowd.

And with that, he handed the mike back to the band and the music started once again. I turned to Junior, who –judging by his tight, angered expression- knew he'd been outdone in front of everyone. I took the opportunity to dart back into the crowd, heading out to one of the more isolated balconies that looked out over the city. I needed time to think.

But I was out there for only a moment or two before the door opened. My heart sang as I thought for a moment that it might be Sam.

However, it was Junior- the last person whom I wanted to see.

"Rousing little speech from the golden boy," he said, his steps even more sloppy, his words even more slurred.

He walked to my side, and I could smell the stink of booze on his breath.

"Always the man of the hour," he said. "Always the center of attention."

"That's because he earns it," I said.

I didn't know where the words came from. But I knew I couldn't take another moment of this.

"He does the work and brings others in on the glory, rather than stealing it from everyone else."

"Now," said Junior. "I'm going to give you one warning to adjust that little tone of yours, missy. I'm sure you've had a few, but that's no way to talk to the boss's son."

"And you should be thankful that you are," I said. "Because you'd be nothing if you weren't."

His eyes narrowed into boiling little slits, strings of his red hair dangling over the sweat-slicked span of his forehead.

"I think that's about enough out of you," he said, moving even closer to me. "We've had enough chatter for one night, and now I think it's time you gave me what I've been looking forward to all evening."

Fear raced through me as he closed the distance between us, a sick little smile forming on his face.

"Please," I said. "Leave me alone."

"Your mouth says one thing," he said. "But your body is saying something else entirely."

"You're drunk and out of your mind," I said.

He slipped his arm around my lower back.

"This is the perfect place to do what we both want. Now, come here and give us a kiss."

I had no idea what to do. I felt powerless and frightened beyond belief. Junior's closed-eyed face moved towards me like a pale orb, and it was only moments before he kissed me.

But before he could, the door to the balcony opened once again. I turned and saw the figure of Sam standing at the threshold. It was the sweetest sight that I'd ever seen.

"Hands off her, Junior," said Sam, his voice stern.

I couldn't help but let a smile break out on my face.

"Samuel!" said Junior. "Can't you see that we're having a private moment here?"

"This is your last warning," said Sam. "Let her go."

Junior pushed me aside and stomped towards Sam.

"Now, you listen here, you jumped-up little brat. I don't know who you think you're talking to, but once my father f-"

He didn't get a chance to finish his sentence. Sam sent his fist through the air in a tight arc, connecting right with Junior's face. Junior stumbled backward and fell right onto his rear, a trickle of blood darting down his nose.

"You have no idea what you've just done," said Junior, his voice a hiss.

"I know exactly what I've done. And I'll know again if you don't get the fuck off this balcony right now, you little rat."

"When my f-"

"Then go tell him," said Sam. "I'll be out waiting."

Junior opened his mouth to speak, but nothing came out. He scrambled to his feet and rushed inside.

And now the two of us were alone, the city spread out around us.

"Listen," said Sam as he slowly approached me. "I'm so sorry for everything, but if you can just give me a moment to ex-"

Now Sam was the one who didn't have a chance to finish. I pulled him close and pressed my lips against his.

There was nothing that needed to be said.