Eliza smoothed down the silk of her dress, the fabric whispering against her skin. The gala was going perfectly. She had just secured a major investment for her tech startup, and the champagne was flowing freely. Everything she’d worked for was finally paying off. She spotted David, her longtime friend, across the ballroom. He was always so impressed by her achievements. She’d always found his enthusiasm reassuring. He'd even hinted, a few times, that he felt a certain way about her. Now, she felt ready to reciprocate.
She walked towards him, ready to share her news.
"Eliza, darling!" David said, his voice unusually high-pitched. He greeted her with a warm hug.
"I have the best news, David," she began, her voice brimming with excitement. "We just sealed the deal with..."
"Oh, that's wonderful," he interrupted. "Listen, I actually need to run. Some colleagues from… well, some colleagues are waiting."
Eliza looked at him, surprised. "Wait, what colleagues? I thought you worked at the library?"
He flushed. "Yes, well, it's a… a very advanced library. Actually, it's more like a… a *research facility* that is affiliated with a lot of big brands." He mumbled, avoiding her gaze.
A knot formed in her stomach. She knew that look, that tone. It was a lie. Her jaw tightened, the triumph she'd felt moments before dissolving.