Sylvie Lockwood watched as Ryder Sharp raised his glass, clinked it with an employee's, and drained it in one gulp. His face was impassive, as always.
The other employees, oblivious to the situation, knew that Ryder Sharp and she were childhood friends and that he was younger, so they found it normal for him to call her "sis." Only Ms. Alden looked concerned.
'It's over. This relationship is probably dead in the water.'
After the first round of toasts, Ryder Sharp had taken most of the drinks for Sylvie Lockwood. He stood up, saying he was going to the restroom.
Sylvie Lockwood looked at the plate in front of his seat; he'd barely touched his food. 'Drinking on an empty stomach?' She frowned, picked up his bowl, and ladled some hot soup into it for him.
"Ms. Lockwood, I didn't mishear that, did I? Sharp called you 'sis'?" Ms. Alden sidled up to her.
"You heard right."
