Chapter 1

On the bus heading to Boston for our company retreat, everyone was cheering.

When we got to the gate, Linda Brooks from Human Resource took her sweet time before saying.

"Oops, I forgot to book your ticket."

My coworkers were barely holding back their laughter as I got embarrassed, and the boss just pretended he didn't notice.

Without saying a word, I grabbed my bag, called a cab, and headed home. As soon as I walked in, I just threw myself onto the bed and passed out.

At three in the morning, my phone started blowing up.

"The whole company's business is crashing!"

"We've already lost 2 billion dollars! Where the hell are you?"

I rolled over and put my phone on silent. 'Like I care.' I thought to myself.

*****

Everyone was hyped up on the bus.

Someone in the front popped open a bottle of champagne, and the foam splashed all over the ceiling. The whole bus erupted in screams and laughter.

"Boston! Boston!" everyone cheered.

Some girls from sales were snapping selfies, the Central City Airport sign right behind them.

I was sitting in the back row by the window, clutching my backpack to my chest, just watching the traffic outside.

The bus finally stopped.

Everyone spilled out, dragging their suitcases and buzzing as they lined up to head into the terminal.

I followed at the end of the line, pulling my suitcase alone.

At the check-in counter, everyone ahead of me got their boarding passes one after another.

When it was my turn, the woman at the counter glanced at her screen and looked up at me. "Sir, I can't find your booking."

I froze for a second.

"Can you check again? Linda Brooks handled all the bookings," I said.

The woman checked again, then shook her head.

I turned to look for Linda.

She was standing at the front of the line, head down, scrolling through her phone, her nails freshly painted red.

"Linda, where's my ticket?" I asked.

She looked up, blinked twice, her jaw dropping in surprise.

"Oh my god."

She covered her mouth, so over-the-top it looked like she was auditioning for a comedy show.

"Totally slipped my mind. Sorry about that!" she said.

Her voice was just loud enough for everyone around to hear.

For a couple of seconds, nobody said a word.

And then, the laughter started.

Jake Hale from sales turned away, covering his mouth, trying not to burst out laughing.

Alex Warren from admin ducked his head, pretending to rummage through his bag, but he couldn't hide that smirk.

I stood there at the counter, holding my suitcase, feeling like I didn't belong.

There were over twenty people around me, but not a single one spoke for me.

I looked over at Merrick.

He was right up front, suit crisp, phone pressed to his ear.

I just stared at the back of his head for roughly five seconds.

He didn't turn around.

He definitely heard me, but he didn't bother to even glance back.

Linda came over and patted my shoulder, her voice so sweet it was almost sickening. "I'm really sorry. How about I treat you to dinner to make it up to you?"

I stared at her hand, the red polish on her nails, and the way she couldn't hide that smug little smile in her eyes.

And then it hit me.

'Forgot? Please. Like that's even possible.' I thought.

Twenty-three tickets, and somehow mine was the only one she "forgot". How convenient.

I didn't say a word.

I slung my backpack over my shoulder, grabbed my suitcase with my right hand, and headed straight for the terminal exit.

The laughter behind me got even louder. Someone muttered something under their breath, and the whole group just cracked up.

I didn't look back.

Stepping out of the terminal, I found rain coming down, not heavy, just a steady, fine mist.

I waited by the curb for a cab, the rain chilling my face as I stood there alone.

My phone buzzed.

I checked my phone and glanced at the screen.

It was a system alert.

[Data migration countdown: 72 hours. Confirm execution?]

I just stood there in the rain, staring at the screen for three seconds.

I tapped the "Confirm" icon on the screen.

Stuffing my phone in my pocket, I flagged down a cab and told the driver my address.

As the cab pulled away, I caught a glimpse of the terminal lights in the rearview mirror.

Twenty-three people were inside, lining up for security, getting ready to fly to Boston.

No one called me.

Not a single person.