Torn Allegiances

d wine tightly, releasing a deep breath,

he meeting hall. He didn't feel good about it

wide, and he led the staff

der you placed," Mark bowed his head, a clean handker

htly, pouring a few gla

ng five businessmen and women. Am

felt eyes on him but decided to focus on his work, not wanting to cause

t couldn't recognize him for a

ncing at Mark, not wishing to be ack

faint; she knew lying wouldn't he

t to happen and wanted to w

us," Mr. Alistair said before Mark co

, sir," Elsa, Lacey's best friend, spok

e nice to my business partner's husband, and I don't

e he's still working and he's not needed her

nice, especially wit

t? Let's not delay it and just let him have his seat already,"

sit with them, not wanting his wife to

wife gently, staying quiet, fearing he might add to t

, but it only got worse each time. The meeting was a hi

and she knew that well. Mark felt uncomfortab

mean, you working as a waiter is unexpected

o let his brows rise in discomfort. He alread

ar that Lacey married a pauper, but I never expected someon

ded up laughing, while some chuckled and o

e to mock him, and he regretted not turning down the

ss, sir," Elsa said, attempting

the waiter. How is he supposed to understan

r laughter anymore. "He does look too poor, I will

e," another

, trying not to break down with their words

ant. She tried not to show that he

s of water before him while t

h us. I shouldn't have allowed that, and now I'm afraid his cheap perf

t, wanting to stand up from the table

and they were already as bad as they could get. Ju

as if he wanted to be in this situation either; it was

y, turning a man like him into a laughing sto

as rich and he was not, didn't mean

om him. His leg started shaking, and his head

more wine," Mr. Alistair said, and Mark

our work, and you could have been out there bowing your hea