I have a situation never came across before and like advice. My girlfriend who is in management was invited along with whoever she chooses to a formal black tie company Christmas party and invited me to attend months ago. I accepted, rented tux, coordinated her gown and was looking forward to this. I had attended a similar less formal function at her company last year as well. I am in management at a company that potentially could be in competition with them in the future as we are in similar lines of work. The owner of her company knows who I am and as far as I know did not have any concerns with me being there last year. In fact, he specifically asked months back if she and I would go to football game as his guests, which we declined, and even asked months ago if I was attending the Christmas party which she said I was. This week, her boss who is local management asked her to tell me NOT to attend as it would look bad for him. But indicated it was important for her job to be there just the same. She told me she is going and I cannot. I'm out the tux rental and this has caused big problems for us as I feel she should have refused if I could not go as I would if situation reversed. I sent letter to her boss reassuring him he has no concerns, that this is Christmas party, has caused big issues between us and am out tux rental as well as he knew I was coming months ago. He completely blew off my letter with no response. He is married and wife attending so I cannot imagine what is going on and feel he competely out of line. Comments???