Kali laughed as Ember continued panther on about her attractive former teaching assistant. Samuel had gone off somewhere, and Ember took her from one group to another, making introductions and catching up with old friends. Kali had only stepped away for ten minutes to get something to drink when Ember joined her, agitated and fiery by the bar. She spent the next five minutes ranting about her college professor.

"Teaching assistant." Ember corrected. "He was a teaching assistant."

"Fine. Did you guys get off on the wrong foot when you met in Germany?"

"No. I mean, he must have thought I was crazy or drunk because, in the middle of our conversation, I started giggling."

Kali chuckled. "Why?"

"I don't know, he was dressed as I always remembered him dressing, down to the last T, and I found it funny that so many years later, nothing has changed. The man is a robot."

"He might have thought you were drunk."

"And now, he is here. I bumped into him, and the conversation was exactly the same. How can someone so attractive be so bland."

Kali choked on her champagne and started sputtering while Ember apologised. She coughed out the rest of her shock into the crook of her arm and began waving Ember off. "No, it's fine. I am confused; are you hitting on him or want to hit him."

"Okay, I know how the "attractive" comment is out of place, but I don't mean it like that. I am not blind; I can appreciate what I see. You'd think he has a character to back the attractiveness and nothing. It's like getting the Mona Lisa only to realise it's a copy."

"Alright." Kali set her drink down. "If all he is doing is being formal, why is it griding you the wrong way?"

"This has nothing to do with formality. It's one thing for him to treat me like a student when I am one and another thing to continue to do so when I am no longer one. Talking to him is like I am ten seconds from scolding."

"I am still confused."

Ember kissed her teeth and downed her glass. "He always sounds preachy, and it stinks. I graduated years ago, and have a degree."

"I mean, what if it's his character. You did call him a robot."

"It's not. That's what irks me. I saw him with other people. He didn't talk to them like he talked to me. It's demeaning, and I am avoiding him, or there would be drama at this party."

"Maybe avoidance is best then. Childish, as he already thinks you are, but best."

"Are you trying to irk me as well?"

Her hands went up. "Hey, am just saying."

Kali was pleasantly surprised to see Ember so wound up on a man. It was refreshing, to say the least. So, while Ember tried to get herself together. Kali observed the source of Ember's dilemma. He was a handsome man. Dressed in a clean cut and slightly fitted nude-coloured suit. He stood a few inches taller than most people in the room, but he wasn't on the muscular side; he was lean.

As he spoke, a small smile appeared here and there, occasionally she saw him laughing. Ember saw it, as well, and she muttered another complaint under her breath before turning to the bar, blocking him from her sight.

Unconsciously, her eyes moved behind him to where Samuel and Peter stood, laughing and chatting in the corner. Something about his comportment after the dinner had been needling at her conscience. They had a moment when she looked into his eyes as she saw his nervousness to meet hers. Kali wondered if something upset him, but they talked, and he seemed like himself. She fell back into that comfortable space until mid-way through their dance.

"Sorry." Ember sighed, and Kali looked away. "I am so caught up in my anger. You look worried."

"It's Samuel. Something is up with him."

"What do you mean?"

"I don't know what it is." She muttered, picking a cherry from the bowl in front of her. She sucked it between her lips, glueing her eyes back on Samuel. "I don't know how to explain it. I asked but he says it's nothing, but I don't think it's nothing."

"Want me to ask him?"

"Would you please?"

"Of course, come on."

"No." She resisted as Ember took her hand to drag her along. "Not with me there. I don't know what it is, but I think it has to do with me."

"Why?"

"As I said, I can't explain. Please, go."

Ember went to Samuel, and Kali climbed up to one of the stools and settled down by the bar, eating her bowl of cherries. Thankfully Samuel had moved to a more visible part of the hall, and she could watch them from her spot. When Ember got to him, she touched his arm and, after a word, separated him from Peter and June.

"Trouble in paradise?"

Kali's already dim mood dimmed even further before she fully turned. "Giovanna. You look lovely this evening."

"I say the same about you. That's an amazing outfit. Does wonders for you."

"I appreciate that."

Giovanna took the seat to her right. "Couldn't help but notice you seem down, despite the bubbling party."

"Is that right?"

"It is."

"Why should it bother you?"

"I am trying to be a better sister-in-law."

Kali snorted, holding her hand up to her mouth as she erupted into a fit of laughter. "I am sorry. I am sorry. I don't believe you."

"And you have every right, I know how badly I behaved with you the last time. I am trying to make amends."

"And I am so sure that's true, but it's probably not."

Kali glanced at Samuel again, but there were more bodies in the way, and no matter how much she craned her neck, she no longer had a clear view.

"I am not asking to be your best friend."

"Then what are you asking?" Kali asked, exasperated.

"I am asking to be at least cordial. You don't need to get defensive or roll your eyes each time we are in the same room together."

"What do you want me to do, Giovanna? Fake a smile, listen to you and pretend your behaviour at my house has been forgotten."

"It's been months."

"And, somehow, I get the feeling that you have not changed. If you want us to have an amicable relationship, I can do that. But keep in mind that you also have to want it. Saying it is not enough."

Unable to bear it anymore, she got up and went in search of Samuel, weaving through the other attendees. Midway, and mostly because she was unfocused, she crashed into another guest. Her arms flayed out, and she staggered back, but he caught her by her wrist. Kali gasped, thanking him, as she found her footing and righted herself.

"You again." The stranger smiled.

"I am sorry?" She looked at him, familiarity prickling at the back of her mind before she finally realised who he was. "Ah, it's you. You helped me in the parking lot when I dropped my keys."

"Winston Bailey," He shook her hand, his grin widening. "It's nice to officially meet you."

Winston Bailey, there was no way she didn't know that name. He was the owner of the company she was going to start working at. Of course, she was stupid enough to only keep his name and never bothered to look him up. Mainly because she only cared about doing her best at her new job and not getting familiar with her bosses. She needed to change that behaviour.

"It's nice to meet you."

"I apologise for not making it to your wedding. Imagine my surprise when I found out the new daughter of my godmother would be working with me."

She stumbled on the word "godmother". Samuel mentioned that his mother was friends with Winston's mother, but he was practically part of their family. She was his godmother. How did that little information ever come to her attention? It was more than obvious that she had more to learn about Ysabel.

"It's nice to meet you. When I applied, I had no idea you were so close to the family."

"Close, no. I am mainly close to my godmother, but they are all important to me. So you, are also going to be important to me. I heard you accepted the job offer."

"Yes." Pride shot up in her and she found herself saying. "And I promise to give it a hundred and ten per cent. You won't regret hiring me."

"I believe you will, you look determined." He raised his glass to her. "But please, don't let this stray into business. How are you enjoying being part of the Madden family? It must be quite the burden to carry the crown of the first daughter-in-law."

"Not at all. My in-laws are very considerate of me.

"I hope I am not interrupting," Samuel muttered, and Kali shook her head. "Good evening, Winston. It's a surprise to see you here."

"My mother and sister dragged me here. I am glad, though. Finally got to meet the latest addition to your family."

Samuel smiled. "I apologize for interrupting, but is it okay if we leave? June has started feeling tired."

"Of course." She looked back at Winston. "It was nice to meet you. Enjoy the party."

"Goodnight to both of you."

"Goodnight, Winston."

Kali turned her head as they walked away. Ember waved when she spotted her, and Kali raised her hand to her ear, imitating a phone with her fingers, mouthing, "Call me."

They stopped by the VIP section to say goodbye to his parents. June got tucked into the back seat, quickly falling asleep before they were on the road. The car remained quiet, Samuel made no effort to start any conversation, and Kali followed his lead. It bothered her, and she couldn't say why. She hated the idea of being alienated, feeling like she was the reason he was the way he was.

Tomorrow she would speak to Ember. Hopefully, he said something that would help her understand what was going on.