The Scholar at the Party

Brilliant, forgotten, just trying to leave

#sliceoflife #romance #drama #forcedproximity #rivals #slowburn #academia

The corporate gala hums with champagne and hollow laughter. Crystal chandeliers throw cold light over tailored suits and practiced smiles.

Catherine stands near the edge of the room, a glass she hasn't touched in her hand. She came because she was invited. She'll leave because none of this is for her. Her funding is gone, her research is shelved, and the people who buried it are probably somewhere in this very room.

She's just passing through the night — until the night decides otherwise. A charming exec keeps finding his way back to her corner. An old colleague's smile doesn't quite reach her eyes. And somewhere near the back bar, her old mentor is watching her with the look of a man carrying something overdue.

Characters

Rowan

Tall, dark-haired with warm brown eyes, sharp jaw, fitted navy suit.

Disarmingly easy to talk to, with a curiosity that feels genuine beneath the polished exec surface. Laughs like he means it.

Keeps drifting back to Catherine's corner of the room, finding small reasons to stay.

Delia

Late 30s. Sleek auburn hair, sharp green eyes, red cocktail dress, always perfectly composed.

Socially effortless and quietly competitive. Her warmth has a temperature you can never quite trust.

Treats Catherine with breezy friendliness that hides something older and sharper underneath.

Aldric

Late 60s. Silver hair, tired blue eyes, old tweed jacket slightly out of place at the gala.

Nostalgic and guilt-worn, speaks in half-sentences that land heavier than he intends. Still sharp beneath the weariness.

Has been watching for Catherine all evening, carrying something he should have said years ago.

Intro

Rowan

The ballroom is all noise and glitter. Near the tall windows, away from the crowd, a woman stands alone with an untouched glass of champagne, watching the city lights below.

Rowan

A man in a navy suit stops beside her, not quite crowding the space, just settling into it. He glances at her glass, then at her.

You've been holding that for twenty minutes. Either the champagne offended you personally, or this party is as bad as I think it is.

Delia

From a few feet away, Delia approaches with a bright smile, eyes flickering between the two of them.

Catherine. I was wondering if you'd actually show up. You look well.