The Day I Kissed An Older Man

Rita turned abruptly and offered a sorrow-tinged smile. "Thank goodness you're the only one here. If it were anyone else, they'd probably think I'm making much ado about nothing. It does sound a little absurd to feel sad when I'm born into a well-off family."

Sherman kept quiet, and there was not a trace of disdain or sarcasm in his expression. After a prolonged pause, he said, "We have no control over our birth or which family we'd be born into. The only aspect we can control is our destiny. If all you see are the limitations imposed by your surname, then you'll forever be caught by it. However, your life could take a vastly different turn if you can recognize the advantages it affords.

"At the same time, you're already doing your best to strive diligently toward your goals, so this frustration you're feeling will only be momentary. You don't need any validation from anyone."

Rita was taken aback. She had not expected their encounter to be so unexpectedly profound. She was also incredibly surprised that he would be willing to engage her in so much conversation.

"Thank you from the bottom of my heart," she said.

earlier. I always feel powerless whenever I have to face that sort of situation. Perhaps that's the reason my outlook on life is always a negative one. But you're right when you said that this surname has provided me with a lot of

grin mirrored Sherman's own amusement. "You still have your wit, so I take it as a sign that you're not as depressed about the whole thing as you think you

right,"

far better sense of humor than I expected. If it hadn't been for what happened earlier, we might've been able to become good friends. But I will reiterate again that I didn't take your seat. It might be a good idea to check with Miss Claire on whether you had been assigned

had been some time since he had conversed with someone so straightforward. He appreciated not having to

out. If there's been a misunderstanding, then I hope I

to be inching toward success, along with uncovering the truth of his

away from the banquet long enough. Shall we return and enjoy a glass of red wine? It's a vintage my mother