Renee Palmer wandered aimlessly round the party being hosted by the UN with a smile pasted on her face and a champagne flute clasped in her hand. As always, she looked and acted on top of the world; she'd had a lot of practice after all. She should have stayed away... this was even worse than she had dared think it would be. Why hadn't she trusted her instincts? Events like these were no longer a haven from the madness of her life. They had changed. Now, they were like rubbing salt in an open wound.
Sighing, she placed the empty glass on the nearest waiter's tray and slipped off to the washroom. She was hidden from view in one of the stalls, dabbing at the traitorous tears that were threatening to fall when she heard her name being mentioned by some women that had just entered the washroom.
One deeply accented voice caught her attention: that was Becky! She'd recognise the accent anywhere! Her smile of delight changed to one of muted agony as she heard the conversation between Becky and her companion...
"I can't believe she actually came, can you?"
Becky said, "She's made her bed. She's going to have to lie in it. I cannot believe that I used to consider her a friend. I don't know what I was thinking..."
The other voice retorted with sarcasm, "You were thinking that her influence would be useful. Now that things are different we're all dropping our friends with Taelon connections faster than you can say, 'old news'.
"Renee Palmer still has clout though. Co-Ventures is just one part of Doors International. She can't be left off the public guest lists but we can all have the fun of excluding her from our private circle. Payback is so much fun..."
The voices trailed off as the pair left the washroom. Renee rested her head on the door of the stall that she had taken refuge in. Becky. How could you say that?! You're one of my oldest friends...
"Enough of this," muttered Renee. "I'm going home."
She made her way back to the party and circulated about for another twenty minutes. She wouldn't give the impression she was running; she wouldn't give the gossips the satisfaction! Just as she was about to make her escape, she felt a gentle tap on her shoulder. Whirling, she was about to utter a brush off, instead, she smiled. "Liam! You made it."
"Sorry, I'm late, Renee."
He placed her arm through his and they chatted quietly as they made their way on to the dance floor. Liam's flinty eyes assessed the crowd that had been giving Renee a discreet cold shoulder. They quickly averted their eyes from his disapproving stare. Renee had missed this silent exchange; she had placed her head on his shoulder and closed her eyes, trusting him to guide her round the dance floor. Liam eyed her silently. The tension was leaving her body. Good. She was finally relaxing...
After the party, Liam drove Renee home. He pulled into her driveway and left the engine idling as he clasped her hand in is. He said, "I'm sorry, Renee. Are you going to be all right with this? It's only going to get worse."
Renee sighed. "This amnesty for the Resistance seemed like a godsend, Liam. Vindication for our efforts. When the ANA asked that we remain undercover it seemed like the logical thing to do... it is the logical thing to do... we can do more good if we remain as we are.
"I just never expected this level of cruelty from people I thought were friends..."
Liam's hand tightened on hers. "We can still change this. I'll stay undercover alone and you can go public."
"NO!" interrupted Renee. "I'm not leaving you without support. I don't trust the ANA to watch your back and I won't leave you in that nest of vipers alone!"
Smiling sadly, Liam raised her hand to his lips and pressed home a gentle kiss. In a rueful tone, he said, "The price of doing right is more costly than we thought. Remember, I'll always be ready to listen if you need to talk; or even if you just need a hug. Casualties of a conflict not our making, eh, Renee?"
Renee squeezed the hand holding hers. "That goes double for me, Liam. I'm here if you need me. See you tomorrow."
With that final statement, she left the car. Liam waited till he saw her close her door and move to a window, waving that she was all right. Then and only then, did he drive away.
Tomorrow, the charade continued...