The Day I Kissed An Older Man

Sherman turned toward Rita and said, "Has anyone ever told you that displaying vulnerability at the right moment can yield greater results with less effort?"

"Why are you telling me this too? Is my character too hard-headed?" Rita responded with a helpless smile, but it seemed to strike a chord within Sherman. He had to stop for a moment and blink quickly to dispel that sudden surge of emotion.

Rita's smile was captivating, and he felt as though he would willingly relinquish all the treasures of the world just to witness her smile more often. It was no wonder that she remained an elusive person. She had the kind of smile that would forever be etched in the memory of those who saw it.

"A friend of mine said the same thing before I came to this dinner. I thought my attitude and character were pretty decent," said Rita. She soon noticed Sherman spacing out and asked curiously, "Mister Sherman?"

Sherman finally snapped back to his senses, much to his own embarrassment.

"Ah...where was I? I was lost in thought for a moment because I remembered a pending issue at the company. Sorry about that." It was the first time he had been so distracted in the presence of a woman, and he felt very awkward as a result.

reassured him. "I'm just surprised you and my friend were able to characterize my personality so accurately. Perhaps you know me better than I know myself. I didn't think I'd be this stubborn. I thought I wasn't that difficult of a person to talk

"Perhaps what we perceive as being a headstrong attitude isn't necessarily a flaw. But if your aim is to navigate around this family intrigue, then being vulnerable in front of your father might prove to be more effective. Men have a savior complex, you know. That

you would think this way. But since you and my friend have said the same thing, then I'll adjust my approach next time," Rita responded

beside him with reddened eyes.

that she needed to alter her tactics. She could not allow Karen

Dad?" Rita inquired

anger became muted in Sherman's

the matter,

came to ask Rita if she knew anything