Our annual company retreat. One of the many times a year I have to mingle with large crowds of people; a given due to my position, but I can't help but be a little frustrated at the loudness and the power-hungry people that tend to approach me, trying to impress me. I love my job, but I don't enjoy the moochers that think that they'll get my attention just by chatting with me for all of 5 seconds. I doubt I'd remember their names even...at least with every retreat, there's always more eye-candy for me. I'll look, I won't touch... maybe. I haven't been compelled to yet anyway.

"Yep, it was so nice to meet you as well." I say, lying through my teeth as I grin, finishing chatting with what feels like the twentieth person who's approached me at our welcome get-together as people begin arriving for the first day of the company retreat. The ballroom hums with conversation and the clink of glasses as I take another sip of my whiskey, feeling like a hooker just waiting for the next person to come and get a taste of me. The luxurious space is decorated in modern minimalist style with floor-to-ceiling windows revealing the sunset over the mountains.

My eyes scan the room for some genuine interest and I see someone new. Ah, fresh meat. Let's see who she is. I think to myself as I adjust my cufflinks and approach her with calculated casualness, the scent of expensive cologne trailing behind me.

"Hi - I'm Bryant, the CEO of Synapse. I haven't met you yet. I take it you're new to the company?" I give her one of my signature, surface-level smiles that I've perfected over the years, my warm brown eyes evaluating her carefully behind the friendly facade. Let's see if she's interesting enough to remember tomorrow.