“Then remember it next time.”
Brandon shook it.
Vanessa called Brandon that evening.
She wanted to know whether he’d received the promotion.
“Not yet,” he answered.
“Did Carter punish you?”
“No. He’s having the committee consider several candidates. I’m still doing my job.”
She sounded furious.
“After everything you’ve done for that company?”
“Vanessa, the position was never guaranteed.”
She was quiet.
Then she asked whether he could introduce her to Graham at another event.
Brandon stared at his apartment wall.
They hadn’t discussed what she’d said about ordinary people.
She hadn’t asked whether he’d been embarrassed, frightened, or disappointed.
She wanted another invitation.
“I don’t think we should keep seeing each other,” he said.
Vanessa accused him of choosing his career over their relationship.
He told her they wanted different things and that he no longer wanted to build his life around impressing strangers.
She ended the call angrily.
Brandon didn’t call back.
The following morning, he returned the rented sports car.
The attendant checked the mileage, examined the bodywork, and handed him the final receipt.
Brandon walked across the parking lot to his own six-year-old sedan.
There was a scratch on the rear bumper and an old coffee stain beside the gearshift.
He started the engine.
His phone buzzed.
It was Priya.
The first two suppliers have confirmed Thursday’s meetings. Can you review the agenda?
Brandon opened the message.
