I thought the worst thing I’d done at our company Halloween party was complain about my boss to a handsome stranger. Then he kissed me, and for a moment, I was lost in the excitement. But then someone walked onto the balcony, and what she said when she saw me made my blood run cold.
The first mistake I made that night was deciding I deserved to have some fun.
The second was kissing a man whose name I didn’t know.
And the third was thinking that because he wore a mask, whatever happened between us would stay a secret.
I’d spent the whole afternoon getting ready for our company’s Halloween party.
I’d bought a new black dress.
I curled my hair.
And even practiced walking in heels I almost never wore.
For once, I wanted to feel like someone other than the exhausted employee who spent her days trying to please a woman who couldn’t be pleased.
That woman was my manager, Diane.
And I’d promised myself I wouldn’t let her ruin another evening.
I worked for a huge corporation, and our Halloween parties were practically legendary.
Hundreds of employees.
Executives.
Spouses.
And people from other offices.
This year’s theme was masquerade.
And I’d spent far too long choosing a mask to match my dress.
My father called while I was putting on my earrings.
“Going somewhere fancy?”
“Company party, Dad.”
“Have fun. And don’t spend the whole evening talking about work.”
I laughed.
Dad had retired from the same industry three years earlier.
But he still offered professional advice whenever we spoke.
“I’ll try.”
“And Emma? You don’t have to prove yourself every minute.”
What happened next changed everything… FULL STORY on the next page.
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