Eventually, Sean and I made our way through all of the people, until we reached the dining room, which was about as big as my new apartment, and the amount of food that was set out could also feed a village. Not to mention, there were servers bringing around hors d'oeuvres.

We then finally got to his boss, Tom. I had met Tom once, briefly. He was very nice, but you could tell that he had an arrogance about him, and he thought he was the most important person in the room. Next to him stood a woman in a beautiful red dress. She had chestnut brown hair that was down to her shoulders, and lots of shiny jewelry on.

"Sean, I'm so glad you could make it!" Tom said, giving Sean a firm handshake, "You've met my wife, Ella, before, right?"

"Yes, I have," Sean said, turning to face the woman, "Nice to see you, ma'am."

Ella gave Sean a charming smile, "Nice to see you as well."

Tom then looked at me and said, "And you must be Julia! So good to meet you."

"Yes, this is my fiancé, Julia," Sean said, turning and giving me what could pass as a genuine smile.

"Nice to meet you both as well," I said, "Your home is beautiful."

"Thank you so much," Ella said to me. Something about her tone didn't strike me as fully genuine.

A moment later- someone walked over to Tom and Ella. She had on a black button up, tucked into fitted slim fitting black pants with a white striped pattern on them. She looked more casual than everyone in the room, and she also looked incredibly annoyed.

I felt my heart skip a beat as I met her gaze, which was already on me.

I recognize her. That's Tuesday, my server from last night.

I saw her blue eyes slightly widen as she saw me looking back at her, and then approached and turned her attention to Tom and Ella.

"Someone broke the ice sculpture outside," she said to them, "A very drunk woman with pounds of makeup on. I know, that can mean most of the women here. But I wanted to let you know."

"Oh my god," Ella rolled her, "Doesn't anyone know how to act with class? I'll take care of it."

Tom chuckled and said, "It's just ice. It was going to melt anyway."

Ella then glanced at Sean and I and said, "Sorry, I should introduce you two. This is  my daughter, Lauren. Lauren, this is Sean and his fiancé, Julia."

Lauren?

As she turned to us, I could see that her expression had changed. She looked...disappointed?

"Nice to meet you, both." she said to Sean and me.

However, she was looking right at me and my heart started to hammer.

"Pleased to meet you, Lauren," Sean said with a friendly smile.

"Yes, nice to meet you," I added.

"Enjoy the party," Lauren said, and then she was off.

Ella turned to us and said, "Please excuse her abruptness."

The night went on, and it was mostly just standing around while Sean conversed with his colleagues. At one point, I needed to just get out. I couldn't handle standing awkwardly there for another conversation. It was all too much.

"I'll be back. I'm going to the restroom," I said to Sean, and he nodded toward me, acknowledging what I said.

I wasn't even going to the restroom. I just needed to get away. I wound up walking down to the basement, which had multiple rooms in of itself, and I went into what looked like a game room, where there were people playing pool.

I then made my way back up the steps, not knowing which direction I was going to go next.

I wonder where Lauren...Tuesday...whatever her name is went.

I pretended to look at artwork on the walls for a few moments, and then I decided to go back up to where the main party was happening.  I walked around for at least 7 minutes trying to find Sean,  and when I did, I saw him talking to someone.

A woman with honey blonde hair, wearing a gold,  sparkly dress. Her skin was fake tanned, verging on orange. Her arms were toned, and her boobs were very much on display.

They were standing a few feet away from the table where all the food was laid out, and objectively, the conversation looked friendly. They were both smiling, and she was nodding at something he said.

But I knew the look he was giving her. His brown eyes were honed in on her, like she was the only woman in the room.

I know Sean. And I just knew he wanted to fuck this woman.

A lump formed in my throat, as I knew exactly what his aim was.

Then there was me, across the room, standing on my own.

That felt very symbolic to our relationship. He was across the room, in the midst of conversation, and possible flirtation. And I was across the room by myself watching.

I wasn't about to watch any longer.

I rushed out of the room and made my way to the nearest exit I could find, which happened to be off the side of the kitchen, leading out to a large wooden deck. I could see some of the backyard,  with one of the biggest pools I had ever seen, cabanas, and a bar. Many party goers were mingling around the bar and the pool, and I could hear "The Good Life" by Kanye West in the background.

I wasn't sure if anyone could see me from the deck off the side of the kitchen. It was made of dark wood, and there weren't any bright lights.

I was trying to keep myself from breaking down. I closed my eyes and started taking some deep breaths.

It'll be over soon, Julia.

I then heard the door behind me slide open, and I turned around immediately to see who was there.

Standing at the open door was Tuesday...or Lauren. Whatever she wanted to be called.

She looked like she was about to walk out to the deck, and then she saw me turn to look at her.

"Do you mind if I join you out here?" she asked me with a hesitancy in her voice. 

Normally I would've wanted to be alone in a situation like this. But I found myself saying, "Sure."

She walked over to where I was standing, and stood next to me, leaning her arms on the railing of the deck.

She then looked at me and asked, "Needed some fresh air?"

I looked back at her and nodded, "Yeah. Something like that."

"I'm not going to lie, Julia. I saw you walking off and coming out here. You looked upset. I don't know if you actually are upset...but I thought maybe you could use some company and not be out here on your own." she said, holding my gaze.

"You're right,"  I nodded, "I'm not having the best night."

A flicker of concern crossed her face, "You can tell me why, only if you want, of course. I'm a pretty good listener, if I do say so myself."

I sighed and looked out into the night sky. There was so much noise around us, but I somehow felt at peace out on this deck next to this woman I hardly knew.

"My fiancé and I...we aren't actually together," I confessed, still looking out into the sky.

"Oh," she said, "So...why was he introducing you as his fiancé?"

I turned to look at her, because I could tell she was looking at me.

"We broke up two months ago. He cheated on me," I said, "And he wanted me to come with him tonight because he is up for a big promotion and doesn't want his boss to think-"

I then realized who I was talking to.

"Oh my god," I said, "Fuck."

"What? What's wrong?"

"You're his boss's daughter. I should not be telling you this."

She chuckled, "Please. I'm not going to tell my dad anything. This was the first time I've seen my parents in months. I won't say a word."

"Do you promise me?" I asked her.

"You can trust me. I promise," she said.

"Okay." I said back to her, "Thank you. I appreciate it. A lot."

"So...you're not with your fiancé?" she asked me casually.

"No. I'm not.  I saw him talking to some woman...and I could tell that he was very attracted to her. I just got upset, and needed to leave the room. He's always choosing someone else besides me."

She looked me right in the eyes and said, "Well, your ex fiancé is a fucking idiot. I know I don't know you, but I can tell you right now, I'm sure whatever woman in there he was talking to doesn't have a patch on you, Julia."

I never quite experienced what people say when they state that their stomach "filled with butterflies".

However, a funny feeling washed over me when she said those words that I had never felt before, and it was almost overwhelming.

"Thank you." I said to her, "I really needed to hear that."

She nodded and then said, "Um. I'm not sure if you remember me from last night."

"I do. You were my server at the restaurant. And from what I remember, you told us your name is Tuesday."

"That's what I go by." She said, "Lauren is my government name, but only my parents call me that. They refuse to call me Tuesday."

"I'm sorry," I said to Tuesday, "You deserve to be called what feels right to you."

"If only they felt that way. But...I'm sorry, Julia. For what you're going through."

I was about to thank her, and I wanted to keep talking to Tuesday, but I then felt my phone vibrate.

"I'm so sorry," I said to her, "Sean is calling me. He's probably wondering where I am."

"You're fine, no worries," Tuesday said with a nod.

I answered the phone. Before Sean could say anything, I said, "I went outside for air. I'll come in now."

"Alright," Sean replied with a slight annoyance to his tone, "I just got concerned when I didn't see you. I'll be by the food."

"Okay. I'll be there in a few." I said, and then ended the call.

I turned to Tuesday and looked at her, "I'm sorry. I would have loved to keep talking to you."

Tuesday gave me a grin and said, "Well, you know where I work. Find me there if you ever want to talk."

Tuesday held my gaze with her pretty blue eyes, and my face grew warm.

"Thank you." I said quickly, and then I pushed off the railing. As I walked off, she still stood there, looking out.

"Are you coming back in?" I asked her.

"Soon," she replied, "I was hoping to escape as well."

I then looked at her once more and went back inside.

I felt dizzy, almost, as I walked back inside. And then I walked over to the food table, in a daze.

Sean looked at me as I walked over.

"Are you ready to go?" he asked me.

"We're leaving?"

"We've been here for two hours. We're good to go," Sean said.

"Okay. I won't object."

The drive home was uncomfortable. There was more tension in the air than on the way there, and when we got back home, I knew exactly why Sean was acting tense.

"What are you doing for the rest of the night?" Sean asked me as we walked into the kitchen.

"Probably nothing. It's after 11. Why?" I replied, pouring myself a cup of water.

"Nothing," he said with a shrug, "I'm going out though."

My heart sunk.

"You're going out?" I asked him, carefully.

He shifted uncomfortably. "Yeah. And I may not be home tonight."

I felt so much frustration that it was almost laughable.

"You're going to fuck that blonde woman in the gold dress with the huge tits, right?"

Sean stared at me, "What are you talking about?"

The look on his face told me all I needed to know.

"You know exactly what I'm talking about," I said.

I started walking out of the kitchen, as I'd already had enough.

"We're not together, Julia. I am free to do what I want."

Sean said those words to me, but I kept walking away. And I didn't bother to turn back.