And Those Who Refused to See

Marseille for her part grimaced every time the picture was brought up and insisted the image was a fluke taken mid sneeze and that the photographer was a hack. Still, Arden thought it was one of the most beautiful photographs she had ever seen.

"--I heard the Mckennas are interested in making a merger." Anjili said as Arden snapped a photo of her re-curling her hair.

"Oh? Is that why Castor Evans is here? Just what the world needs, pharmaceuticals and alcohol together at last. May their union be a blissful one from which we never recover." Marseille answered while sprawled out on Anjili's couch, raising an imaginary glass.

"Well one thing's for sure, it'll make for one hell of a wedding reception." Anjili laughed.

"Anjili!" Marseille gasped in mock surprise clutching her forehead. "You mustn't be crass now!"

Arden snapped a few more pictures as the other two girls were overcome with laughter from the shared joke. Arden didn't feel like laughing, she just felt a lick of irritation at the back of her throat, much like when you inhale dust. She knew she didn't have any right to be invested in Castor or his future. She lived among the elites but she was not one of them and she was so very close to 30 that in 53 days none of it would matter anyway.