Keir swirled the champagne in the flute letting the magnitude of his accomplishments astound him. Four years ago he was working on a Master's while being a TA with no idea of what future would lie ahead for him. He just knew he couldn't work for his father's architecture firm. Nor could he work with the man whom he thought was a friend but only gifted him with betrayal.

He canvassed all the faces that surrounded him. Some were new friends, clients, and family. And then there was Chloe walking around the cluster of chatting people making her way towards him. She wasn't family yet but she would be soon.

"Still taking it in." Jason spoke and Keir glanced at his side trying to remember when his business partner sidled next to him. "Or worrying about what it'll take to keep it afloat.

Keir breathed out then nodded. "A little bit of both." He took a sip of the chilled beverage eyeing his father putting on the facade of a supportive parent knowing he wasn't a believer in his son's ambitions.

"Well, tonight is not the night for worrying." Jason nudged his shoulder wearing a megawatt smile. "It's for celebrating and you, man, got a lot to celebrate." He gestured to Chloe just before she joined. "You look stunning but where's that friend you were telling me about." He looked behind her searching for the raven-haired beauty she'd been trying to match him with for a week.

Chloe gave him a tight smile, "I'm sorry but she's not coming." She sighed sadly. "She got strep throat."

Keir and Jason but glanced at each other with a look of disbelief.

"No, she really did." Chloe insisted. "You know she's a nurse. But I can give you her number."

"Nah," Jason shook his head, still unsure if the woman's prognosis is real. "I'm good." His smile still clung to his face as someone across the room called his name. "I'll holla at you later." He said before leaving.

Keir settled his eyes on her, "I must agree with him, you do look stunning."

"Thanks, babe." She beamed glancing down at the red sequin dress that clung to her toned physique. "And you look nice, too." She slid her hand down his emerald tie that matched the tailored suit that complimented his sunkissed hue. "What's wrong because you've been deep in thought all day?"

"Nothing." He said clipped before leveling the flute to his lips.

Chloe leaned to the side reclaiming his sight, "Something's bothering you." She shifted his hand from his tie to his chest feeling the thump of his heart as the lights illuminated the space causing her engagement ring to twinkling like the numerous stars in the sky outside. "Let me in."

"I don't know." He rested his hand over hers. "I just..." He released his heavy breath. "This weight materialized in my chest after I left the site. I don't know. I guess it's just the fear of failure, you know."

She gave him a nod of understanding then said, "Well, I can say with absolute certainty that you're not failing. We are about to do great things."

"We are." He said each word as if they left an unfamiliar taste upon his tongue. He lifted her hand off his chest as a chill raced down his back. He breathed in a deep breath as if he detected a distinct redolence lingering in the space.

"What is it?" She asked, trying to read and translate the confusion on his features.

"I need some air." He tugged at the collar of his dress shirt. "I'll be back."

He felt his sister's eyes on him and gave her a tight smile hoping it absolved the look of mystification she shot his way. With quick steps he made it to the sidewalk, quickly loosening the tie and undoing the button that felt like it was constricting his windpipe. He closed his eyes and took in another breath, this time deeper. His eyebrows drew together, registering the same familiar scent that prompted his heart to race.

He opened his eyes to peer down the sidewalk in search of culprit with the aroma that was sending his body topsy turvy.

Once his eyes settled on the individual that was the owner of the perfume that discombobulated his senses it all made sense.

"Katrina." He breathed out her name as if it was the answer to a riddle that had plagued him for years.

A few seconds passed as she gripped her phone staring at it intently but to him it felt like hours. Then she looked at him and simply said, "Hi."

"Hi." He blinked, looking at her as if he wasn't sure if she was really standing in front of him or if this was a figment of his imagination. "Hi? What...what are you doing. When? Umm." He combed a nervous hand through his curls. "You're here."

"This..." She averted her eyes from him and returned them back to her phone. "Was a mistake. My Uber should be here any minute." She shook her head at herself. "I never shouldn't let them have the rental." She blew out a heavy breath.

He watched her clench her jaw and knew what was going on. He glanced over his shoulder at his building. "You were..." He closed the space between them. "Please, look at him."

She swallowed hard then faced him just as warm tears slid down her face. "She's lovely. Congrat—"

"Don't." He cut her off. "Don't do that." He wiped the falling tear from her cheek.

Katrina moved her face from his touch and added space between them. "Do what?"

"Cry." His face twisted as if her hurt inflicted him with pain. "Please." He moved to reach for her.

"You're engaged." She sadly shrugged. "What else am I supposed to do?" Her sight traveled over his shoulder.

He looked  back and saw who she was looking at. Chloe. Drinking in the sight of them, of him with a knowing expression.

When he turned back around. Katrina was gone as quickly as she appeared. And just like that, it was back—the weight in his chest. And he knew what he had to do.

What do you think the weight is that Keir feels?

What do you think he's going to do next?

How do you think Chloe feels?

Why do you think Keir didn't want Katrina to congratulate him?