Grace Li managed to leave work early and headed out at 8 p.m. She hurried across the street, surrounded by busy office workers, with yellow cabs constantly passing by. Once she got back to her apartment, she took a long, hot shower, and by the time she was done, it was just past 9.
Aiden Thompson still hadn't returned.
She didn't ask any questions. Her mood was at rock bottom, like one of those dreary, cold, and oppressive New York days.
She cracked open a bottle of Corona beer and lazily leaned back in a chair on her apartment balcony, sipping it. She and Aiden Thompson usually hung out here, looking over the sparkling lights of Manhattan while chatting about the frustrating stuff at work and dreaming about the future.
Tonight, it was just her. A few more potted plants had been added to the balcony—ones they bought at the Union Square Greenmarket last month.
She watered the plants before sitting back down in her chair.
The frustration in her heart was overwhelming, and she couldn't even tell if she was more upset or filled with disappointment and anger.
She had always looked up to Benjamin Harris as a mentor in her career. He was the one who helped her get into the competitive world of venture capital, giving her a chance to start and supporting her every step of the way. She'd always been grateful to him, and respected him. She worked hard for the company, even when she was treated unfairly, but never said anything.
But now, she felt completely betrayed. He had been using her as a stepping stone to boost his daughter's career, and he thought it was perfectly fine.
She was so lost in thought that she didn't even notice when Aiden Thompson came in and sat next to her.
She opened her eyes and saw him standing there, looking a little surprised. It took him a few seconds to force a smile. "You're home."
Aiden Thompson was still in his black work pants and white shirt. He sat down beside her and gently pulled her into his arms. "You look wiped out. If you're tired, go get some sleep."
"No, I'm not sleepy yet." Grace Li leaned her head against him. His embrace always made her feel safe. "Aiden, I feel so drained."
Aiden Thompson softly ran his fingers through her hair, his voice gentle. "What happened, babe?"
Grace Li wasn't one to complain, but tonight, she just needed to vent. She felt like the weight of the world was on her shoulders, and it wasn't healthy to keep holding it in.
Before, she had always felt like she was on her own at work, taking on all her frustrations by herself. But now, things were different. She knew she had someone solid to rely on. If she couldn't handle it anymore, she could lean on him without hesitation.
"If I vent, don't say I'm annoying."
"How could I? You can say whatever you need to. I'm here for you."
Grace Li gave a small smile and started talking. "It's that 'The Moonlit Sip' project. The company just invested at the beginning of the month, and now, two days ago, it's been exposed for financial fraud and tax evasion. It's obvious the due diligence wasn't thorough enough. Today, Mr. Harris called me into his office, and he made it clear that I was the one who found the project and gave it a high rating. So, now that things have gone wrong, I'm supposed to explain it to the LPs. He's playing his cards really well—if this blows up, the LPs will question the company's professionalism and management. Mr. Harris doesn't want his daughter Scarlett Harris to lose face in front of the partners and LPs, so he wants me to take the blame."
Aiden Thompson's eyes flashed with anger. He clenched his jaw and muttered, "They're crossing the line."
"Exactly. I'm not going to take the fall for this, and I'm certainly not going to be the scapegoat for Scarlett Harris," Grace Li said firmly. "That's my line in the sand."
Aiden Thompson gently kissed the top of her head. "So, what did Benjamin Harris say after that?"
"He said he'd handle the explanation to the LPs himself, but I don't really know what his plan is."
"Let him handle it. Scarlett Harris isn't ready for this. He's been trying to turn her into some 'girl boss' figure, but that's a mistake from the start. He has to own up to his decisions."
"Yeah." Venting with someone made Grace Li feel a lot lighter, and her mood improved. After everything that had happened, she realized something: "I get it now. In the workplace, talking about gratitude with the boss is just naive. I used to tell you how grateful I was to Mr. Harris for giving me my start in this industry. But now I see it differently. He took me on because he thought I could bring value to him and the company. It wasn't about gratitude—it was a mutual exchange of value. I was so focused on 'giving back' that I missed the bigger picture. Honestly, it seems a little silly now."
Aiden Thompson said, "You're just too kind-hearted."
Grace Li lifted her head from his chest. "Be honest, do you think I'm naive?"
Aiden Thompson smiled and said, "Kind-hearted doesn't mean naive. You have a good heart, and you stand up for what's right."
Grace Li's eyes lit up at his answer. She smiled and said, "Now that's more like it."
Aiden Thompson looked at her, seeing the sparkle back in her eyes, and couldn't help but lean down to give her a soft kiss on the lips. Grace Li wrapped her arms around his neck, deepening the kiss.
The passionate kiss made Grace Li temporarily forget all her worries.
When they pulled apart, she said, "I didn't know kissing could make you forget your troubles."
Aiden Thompson swallowed, a mischievous grin on his face. "There's something else that not only helps you forget your troubles but makes everything feel amazing."
Grace Li blinked her eyes playfully, teasing him. "What's that?"
Aiden Thompson scooped her up in his arms, lifting her effortlessly like she weighed nothing. Grace Li tightened her grip around his neck, clinging to him like an octopus.
He gently placed her down on the soft bed, kissing her forehead. "Wait for me for ten minutes, I'm going to take a quick shower."
"Okay."
Aiden Thompson was right—this would make her forget her troubles. She was lifted again and again, each time higher, until all her worries had vanished.
After that whole 'The Moonlit Sip' mess, Benjamin Harris never reached out to Grace Li again, and she didn't try to ask. She knew that the storm behind the scenes had settled, at least for now, on the surface.