Chapter 47 Artificial Defeat

• We were seated close to the front, right next to the host. The company at our table surprisingly offered stimulating conversation. Throughout the evening, I conversed with a young lady by the name of Madison.
• She had studied chemistry intending to be an environmental consultant. We were two peas in a pod, and laughter punctuated our conversation. It felt great to speak to someone as I would before I was entangled with all of this.
• Paul had to leave to attend to business, the main reason we were here. He gently nudged me and left me with a peek on the cheek. Madison and I kept each other company the entire time. We eventually decided to stand by the balcony where it was much quieter.