Chapter 2
When Celine came in through the VIP entrance, I saw her in a burgundy evening gown, with a pair of earrings that looked like they cost a fortune.
She spotted me and raised an eyebrow.
"Evelyn, you're sitting here?" she asked.
I nodded.
She leaned in, her voice barely above a whisper. "Ms. Lewis rearranged the seating chart. She said the main table should be for family and close friends, and it's better for the staff to sit in the back."
I was just staff.
I spent hours setting up, and I was just staff.
"Fine," I said. "Doesn't matter where I sit."
"You're really chill about this, Evelyn," Celine said with a smile, straightening up. "But I guess it doesn't matter. You're leaving soon anyway."
She turned and walked a few steps, then glanced back.
"Oh, and if Mr. Holt needs anything tonight, I'll take care of it. You can take it easy tonight, Evelyn," she said.
I watched her walk away without a word.
It didn't matter anymore.
In three days, I'd be out of here anyway.
By seven-thirty, most of the people at the main table had arrived.
I recognized quite a few faces. They were key figures from both families.
Then Serena arrived.
She wore a creamy white mermaid gown, with a pale gold sheer shawl draped over her shoulders.
It was like the lights were made just for her; she walked in, and every single eye in the room followed her.
She smiled and greeted everyone at the main table, her manner gentle and poised, every gesture perfectly measured.
When she reached Adrian, she slipped her arm through his, like it was the most natural thing in the world.
He didn't push her away.
I lowered my gaze and took a sip of the sparkling water in my glass.
"Who's she?" Serena's gaze swept over the crowd and landed right on me. Her voice wasn't loud, but everyone nearby could hear her.
Celine leaned in and murmured a few words to her.
Serena nodded and started walking over to me.
She kept a polite smile, walking at a steady, unhurried pace.
"You're Evelyn, aren't you?" she said.
I stood up.
"Hello, Ms. Lewis," I said.
She looked me up and down.
"Adrian's mentioned you before. He said you're the one he can't do without at work," she said.
"You're flattering me," I replied.
"But I heard you already quit?" Serena asked.
A few heads turned in my direction.
I nodded. "That's right, I'm leaving at the end of the month."
"That's good," Serena said, her smile sugary sweet. "Women should have their own lives when they get to a certain age. Working nonstop is just too tiring."
"Right," I replied.
She patted the back of my hand.
"Stay in touch, Evelyn. I get along with all of Adrian's friends," Serena said.
Then she turned and walked away.
A couple girls nearby traded looks, and one of them let out a quiet giggle behind her hand.
I sat back down, keeping a straight face.
I got every word she said.
What she really meant was I spent eight years orbiting around Adrian, but it was all for nothing, and I should step out since he was hers.
It was okay, since I was leaving anyway.
The party had been going on for an hour.
Glasses clinked, and everyone was busy showering the perfect couple with compliments.
I sat in the corner, quiet as a wallflower.
Then, as a waiter passed by with a tray of desserts, Serena suddenly stood up and announced she wanted to make a toast.
She raised her glass and started making the rounds, beginning with the main table and moving from one table to the next.
When she reached my table, she stopped.
"And this is..." Serena acted like she couldn't quite place me. "Oh, Adrian's secretary, right?"
"Executive assistant," Celine chimed in with a smile.
"Same thing," Serena waved it off. "You're all just here for Adrian, anyway."
She lifted her glass, gesturing for me to clink.
I grabbed my water glass.
"Not drinking tonight?" Serena said.
"I'm driving tonight," I said.
"Oh, come on, you're making me look bad," Serena teased.
Some people behind her chuckled.
I just smiled faintly and stayed silent.
Serena pulled her glass back, pausing like she suddenly remembered something.
"Oh, Evelyn, there's something I've been meaning to ask you," she said.
Her smile stayed, but her tone had a sharper edge to it.
"You spend more time with Adrian than I do. Has anyone ever told you that's a bit much? Maybe not exactly appropriate?" Serena said.
The whole table went dead silent.
I looked up at her.
"Ms. Lewis, it's just work," I said.
"Of course, I know it's work," Serena said, tilting her head. "But other people don't. There's gossip out there. Mr. Holt's secretary has been at his side for eight years and still hasn't left. Everyone thinks you must have some other motive."
I heard someone suck in a breath.