No one spared me a second glance. The crowd surged toward Thorne instead, their enthusiasm palpable.
Back in high school, Thorne had been the wealthiest among us, the golden boy with everything handed to him. He was also once my rival in love.
His gaze swept over me, filled with thinly veiled disdain. Then, with a smirk of feigned ignorance, he tilted his head.
"Who’s this? Oh, it’s Cassius Parker. What are you even wearing? Even the waiters here dress better. And that hair, what is that supposed to be?"
Was I dressed that poorly?
I glanced at myself. I was wearing a government-issued executive jacket, crisp and dignified and my hair was parted neatly in a standard 3/7 style. I was professional and respectful.
And yet, to them, I was nothing more than an afterthought.
With my line of work, wearing a luxury suit worth tens of thousands or sporting some flashy, high-end hairstyle wasn’t an option.
"Cassius, you used to be the top student. How did you end up like this?"
"Look at us; we all have cars now. At the very least, an Audi A6. And you? Not even a single ride to your name?"
"No car is one thing, but couldn’t you have at least booked a premium ride instead of hailing a regular taxi?"