Chapter 4

The E-Corp people never seemed to run out of things to talk about when it came to the 5/9 hack. Rants, theories, horror stories they'd heard on the news, how they and their friends and neighbors and relatives had been affected, and on and on.

Angela did her best to stand there and look as passionate and invested as they were. She slipped away every now and then to grab another drink. Listening to their chatter was much easier when she had a buzz. After a while though, not even alcohol could be of much help. Toward the end of the night she found herself sitting at the bar, staring down at the scratched-up counter. The E-Corp people had been discussing the issue for hours. Angela had heard more than enough.

Anxiety pulsed through her. These were her friends they were talking about. She had the ridiculous, irrational fear that they'd see right through her. Somehow they'd come to know the truth just by her being there.

All their talk depressed her. She pitied them. What they said was not always wrong. She could even agree whole-heartedly at times.

But still she hated them. She couldn't help it. They could give her a million reasons not to, but she believed it would not change her mind. She hated them.

She was too exhausted to really feel that anger though. Now she mostly felt hollow.

A light tap on her shoulder brought her out of her haze.

Winnie stood beside her, calmer now, and more or less back to her smiley self. "You feeling okay, honey?" she murmured the question.

Angela forced a smile. "Fine," she breathed. "Just tired."

Winnie nodded. "I completely understand." She glanced back at her friends, clicking her tongue thoughtfully. "We got pretty fired up tonight. That happens sometimes." She let out a heavy sigh. "I know it's hard to talk about. But I think it's important that we keep talking. That's how we get through this." Winnie smiled warmly and gave Angela's shoulder a comforting squeeze.

Angela smiled back. Don't touch me. "You're very right," she replied, with such intense forced sincerity she made herself sick.

Winnie shifted her purse onto her shoulder. "Well, I'm going to head out. Maybe I'll see you tomorrow?"

"Maybe," Angela replied simply.

Winnie grinned. "You have a good night, honey. Get some rest." She waved as she went out the door.

Angela stared into her empty glass. Rest would be nice. She just needed to sleep and not think about things for a while.

Then someone sat down beside her. He conversed with the bartender, ordered his drink, and took no notice of her. But she noticed him quite a bit. Short, dark hair. Clean shaven. Bright green eyes. Too nicely dressed for a bar like this. Angela guessed he was around her age. Not what she'd usually go for, but he would do.

She put her usual plan into play. A number of empty glasses had been left on the counter by a few of the more heavy drinkers. She slid those closer to her own glasses. She ruffled her hair just a bit, hoping to achieve that messy but sexy look. Lastly she leaned her head on her hand and smiled, in the most dazed manner she could manage. She tapped the guy on the shoulder and he turned, eyes big and inquisitive.

"Hello," she drawled sweetly.

He cracked a small smile. "Hi," he said in a cheerful yet cautious tone.

Angela shoved her hand towards him. "I'm Angela!" She looked him up and down. "And who are you?"

The man shook her hand with a chuckle. "My name is Emanuel," he introduced himself.

"Aww, cute," Angela giggled.

Emanuel stammered. "Umm, m-my name or—?"

"Everything," Angela replied without hesitation. "Everything about you is cute."

Emanuel blinked at her, his green gaze piercing. "I could say the same about you."

Angela giggled again and waved away the compliment. "Oh, stop."

Emanuel squinted curiously. "You E-Corp?"

"Yeah." Angela's eyes darted to the crowded tables. "I'm in the right place, aren't I?"

"You certainly are." Emanuel shifted just a bit closer to her.

Angela grinned triumphantly. She had him.