Damn it! Look at him. He''s so smug over there. Not a care in the world. Does he have any idea what he''s done to me? That fool took everything. He stole my best clients and my promotion. I struggled to contain my thoughts.


    ''''Liam, is everything ok?'''', questioned Gareth looking a little concerned. ''''You''ve been staring daggers at Dave the whole night. Don''t you think you should at least try to enjoy the party ..... at least a little?''''


    Poor mild-mannered Gareth. A decent friend, although not someone I felt very close to. We hung out occasionally, but he was too nice for my liking. A pacifist if you will. Back then and more so now, I''m fed up with being around them and being one. What good has that ever done me? He represents everything I was back in the day and everything I despise in the old me. Damn Pacifists!


    I took another sip of my drink and a long deep breath. For all my anger and bravado, the last thing I wanted was to create a scene. And it''s not like Dave noticed me staring daggers at his back from way over there on the balcony.


    ''''I''m sorry Gareth, You''re right. The New Year is almost upon us and that means a new start, right?''''


    ''''Sure does buddy, and before you know it you''ll be promoted. Just like you''ve been waiting for.''''


    Thanks for rubbing salt in the wound asshole, just when I had moved past it.


    ''''Yes ..... my New Year''s resolution. Finally get promoted or bend over and just take it for another year.''''


    Gareth''s mood soured and I could tell that he wanted to leave. But I wasn''t going to make it easy for him. That was Gareth''s crux, always the nice guy. Sure he had friends around here, but for me, he was the only person I could tolerate. I wasn''t going to let my social Zimmer frame walk away without a good substitute.


    That''s when I noticed ..... I had yet to see Steph.


    Steph, my darling girlfriend of 5 years. The one that had supported me when that lout Dave had stollen my promotion. The one that made everything better and stuck with me through thick and thin. I couldn''t help but daydream at the thought of her warm and caring personality. She reminded me of who I was before this god-forsaken company wore me down. A time before I became jaded and spiteful. A time of naivety, innocence, and abundant optimism. Yet she had still stuck with me. I had no idea why.


    Suddenly, the waiter brushed against my arm and broke me out of my reverie. I found myself alone. That was a little surprising as I had expected Gareth to stick around with me all night. Maybe I had just reached a new low on the asshole scale, one that even the nicest person at work couldn''t tolerate.


    It was ok though. I could feign interest in other people or at least try. How hard could it be? I wondered.


    Looking around, I noticed the grandeur of the hall. It was elegantly planned. Long tables at the sides, filled with buffet-style food. Tiny portions so you knew the food was posh and expensive. Drinks lined several more tables. This layout allowed for the guests to mingle in the center and socialize..... as expected of a party.


    Honestly, don''t ask me why I came. It was just to show my face and let the bosses know that I was a social butterfly just like all the other twerps there. My alarm was set for 9 so I could escape once the alcohol kicked in and the fog of booze clouded everyone''s memories. There would be enough to remember my being there, and that was all that was needed.If you encounter this story on Amazon, note that it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it.


    Who should I talk to? I thought with arms crossed and tapping my chin. A lot of those present were in small circular, tightly knitted groups. Infiltrating one of them really would take the skills of a master socialite. The ones capable of infiltrating any social circle, no matter how closed off or exclusive it seemed. And that wasn''t me. Not back then and not now!


    There were several other groups. Smaller in size with a few outliers at the edges. I considered the outliers, but then thought to myself, they''re by themselves for a reason. Not like me, I''m too cool. Can''t be associated with them.


    I pondered my options a little longer until...


    ''''Liam is that you Liam?''''


    It was too late. I had been found by the one person who made being lonely seem like winning the lottery. It was Katheryn with a y, the work gossip. She was as annoying as a person could get. With her shrill voice and fake smile. If it were up to me, I''d feed her fake gossip to get her into trouble. Alas, the one and only time I tried, she figured I was lying and gave me a nauseating cackle. It was worth a shot though.


    God if you can hear me, Please kill me now and reincarnate me as a doorstop.


    ''Hi Katheryn, how are you? Pleasant party we''re having today.''


    She smiled at me flashing her teeth and the lipstick staining them. ''it sure is, what a wonderful way to welcome the new year. But if I''m honest, I''m a little surprised to see you here.''


    ''What do you mean?'' I enquired.


    Looking a little sheepish, Katherine looked around and then some more. Uneasy was an understatement. Her face turned a shade of red that merged with her dress. Whatever it meant, I knew this wasn''t good. When a gossip comes over to you, it''s one of two things; they either have gossip to share about others, or they have gossip about you.


    I raised an eyebrow and stared as she felt noticeably more uncomfortable.


    ''''I thought you knew'''', she whimpered as her eyes darted to the balcony.


    At first, I didn''t catch on. I saw people out there but nothing that should have  concerned me. But then something caught my eye. A slim figure in a long green gown was standing in front of Dave. No, No, It couldn''t be.


    ''Steph?'', The name left my mouth before I even knew what I was doing.


    In a blink of an eye, I had pushed Katheryn out of my way and ran across the hall and towards the balcony.


    Dave had no time to react or any idea what was happening. I pulled Steph from his mouth and landed one square on his face.


    ''How''d that taste, You asshole.''


    Dave fell to the floor and looked out of it.


    I felt a hand pull me around the shoulder. I turned to see Steph crying.


    ''It''s not what it looks like!'' she screamed. Her face was red and scrunched, with tears running down.


    At that moment I couldn''t help but stare at her. She had been my rock for the last 5 years and seeing her like this.... with him. It tore my heart to pieces. It hurt. It hurt so bad. I didn''t know how to process this pain, but before I could, I felt another hand spin me around. It was Dave. He threw a right hook, and I covered just in time to reduce the impact. It still hurt like hell. The guy was a foot taller than me and hit the gym often.


    He continued his barrage of punches and then grabbed me in a bear hug and began to squeeze. I felt my back pop and my stomach squeeze tight. His face was buried in my ribs. I was trapped. I couldn''t let this fool get away with this. His constant humiliation of me had to end once and for all. I was done, not only with him but Steph, this damn job ...... everything. I didn''t care. I was pissed. Yet, for all my anger I was trapped, unable to do anything. The grip was too strong, and the longer he held me, the more drained and sleepy I began to feel.


    ''Stop it, let him go.''


    Too late now Steph, you chose your side, I thought to myself as the world began to get quieter and the sounds grew fainter.


    ''''You''re time is now''''.


    A voice suddenly whispered in my ear. Was it my imagination? No couldn''t have been. It was as clear as day. I felt my body awaken with strength and I knew exactly what to do. Thank you World Wrestling Federation. I elbowed Dave on the top of the head. At first, he didn''t react. But after a couple, the dirtbag''s grip loosened and I felt him stumbling back.


    I had hoped that would have been the end of the fight, but knowing my luck ......


    Dave stumbled backward. And the biggest asshole in the world had one final F*** *** for me. He held his grip on me as he fell over the balcony. The fall was quick. It was all over in a Flash. Surviving the world''s highest suplex would have been an embarrassment worthy of death.


    At least in death, I got one over that prick ...... or so I thought.


    Who would have thought that he would haunt me in the next life too?