We stop near the windows, far enough from the main crowd that we won't be overheard but not so far that it looks like we're hiding.
The city lights spread out below us through the glass, beautiful and distant.
Feifei stands beside me, not looking at me, her champagne glass held with perfect posture.
The silence stretches.
I don't know what to say.
I don't know how to start this conversation, don't know what she wants from me, don't know if there's anything I can say that would make this better.
She breaks first.
"How have you been?"
The question is polite and neutral, the kind of thing you ask an acquaintance you haven't seen in a while.
"...Fine," I say. "You?"
"Busy. The VP position keeps me occupied."
"I saw. Congratulations."
"Thank you."
Another pause.
This is excruciating.
We're talking like strangers, going through the motions of polite conversation while carefully avoiding everything that actually matters.
"The estate is treating you well?" she asks.
