Chapter 2

It had been the same three years ago.

It was my birthday. I had spent months saving money from my part-time jobs, so I could take Alex to a decent restaurant.

However, he was three hours late.

When he finally showed up, he brought along some girl. It was his mom's friend's kid.

"Sorry, Eve. My mom insisted I bring her along to meet some friends," he explained.

I looked at the expensive custom-made suit he was wearing, then down at the discounted dress I had bought because I was trying to save money. I said nothing.

For the rest of the dinner, I was nothing more than an outsider.

They talked about family businesses I didn't understand and fancy parties I'd never heard of.

The way that girl looked at me was exactly the way Chloe had looked at me tonight, with the same scrutiny and pity.

After dinner, Alex drove the girl home. Before he rolled up the window, he said, "Eve, go home yourself. I'll be back soon."

I stood outside the restaurant and watched his luxury car disappear down the street. He never came back that night.

The next day, I got a breakup text from him. [We're not right for each other.]

Only later did I find out that the Sterling family and that girl's family had finalized their plans for a marriage alliance that very night.

And me? I had been nothing more than an obstacle in his path, something he could kick aside without a second thought on his way to a bright future.

The sting of those memories made me shiver all over.

"No?" Alex urged impatiently.

I turned around and looked at his handsome, merciless face. "Alright. What time is the party?"

He seemed caught off guard by how readily I agreed and paused for a moment. "Eight tomorrow night."

"Got it." I didn't say another word. I turned and walked out of that suffocating room.

Back at the front desk, my coworker Zoe shot me a look full of sympathy. "Eve, are you alright? Did that guest give you a hard time?"

"I'm fine," I said, shaking my head as I sat back down.

The rest of the night was unusually quiet. I stared at the computer screen, my mind blank.

*****

The next morning, right after I finished my shift, my manager, John Warren, called me into his office.

John was a middle-aged guy in his forties with a big belly and a smile that screamed brown-nosing.

"Evelyn," John said, pouring me a glass of water. "Rough night, huh?"

I didn't say a word.

"Mr. Sterling in the presidential suite is our top-tier guest," he said, rubbing his hands and eyeing me nervously. "He specifically requested that you serve at his party tonight. That's a real honor."

"Mr. Warren, my job is at the front desk," I said.

"Come on, don't be so uptight," John said, his smile faltering. "Mr. Sterling said if you don't go, he'll file a complaint with headquarters about our service."

He stressed the word "headquarters".

He tried to play the sympathy card. "You know, a small hotel like ours can't afford to upset someone like him. Do me a favor, and help the whole team out, okay?"

He suddenly lowered his voice, clearly enjoying the gossip. "I heard Mr. Sterling is your ex. Is that true?"

My heart sank. "Mr. Warren, that's my personal business."

"Oh, I didn't mean anything by it," he said, waving his hands. "I mean, if he's your ex, it'll be easier for you to talk to him. Make sure he's happy. If he's pleased, the hotel benefits, too. And who knows—"

He gave me a suggestive wink. "Maybe you two could get back together. If you marry into the Sterling family, you'll never have to worry about money your whole life."

His words made me sick. Looking at John's greasy face, I found the whole thing absurd.

I cut him off. "Mr. Warren, if I do this, what do I get?"

"What?" He looked stunned.

"Triple overtime pay," I said calmly. "And after this, I don't want to be asked to handle anything outside my job duties again."

John hadn't expected me to negotiate, and his face darkened.

He looked me up and down, his eyes full of contempt. "Evelyn, know your place. Don't get too full of yourself."

Before he could say another word, someone knocked on the office door. My personal assistant, Jason Lewis, walked in.

He didn't glance at John. He walked straight over to me and handed me a file with a respectful nod. "Ms. Starr, here's the quarterly financial report you asked for."

John looked shocked. He pointed at me, then at Jason, his face frozen in disbelief. "M-Ms. Starr?"

Jason, sharp in his tailored suit and all business, didn't glance at John. He gave me a respectful bow. "Ms. Starr, do you want me to take care of this?"

The words hit John like thunder.

Sweat started pouring down John's forehead. His face trembled as he struggled to speak, but not a single word came out.

I looked away from his stunned expression and turned to Jason. "No, that's not necessary. You can go."

"Yes, Ms. Starr," Jason said, giving a nod before heading out and closing the door.

The office was dead silent. John's breathing was loud and ragged, like air wheezing through an old bellows.

"M-Ms. Starr," he finally stammered, his voice shaking, almost on the verge of tears. "I had no idea you were the boss."

He bent over, trying to bow and apologize, but his belly was so huge that the movement came out awkward and almost comical. "I'm an idiot. I was out of line. Please, don't hold it against me."

I stared at him coldly. "Mr. Warren, didn't you tell me I should know my place?"

"No. I was the one who didn't know my place." He slapped himself hard across the face. "I'm sorry. I'm a blind, arrogant idiot."

"And you said I should go make Alex happy."

"I was talking nonsense. Who does Alex think he is? He's nothing compared to you." John instantly threw Alex under the bus in his desperate attempt to save himself.

"Is that so?" I picked up the glass of water on the desk and took a slow sip. "That's strange because you were terrified he'd complain to headquarters."

"I wasn't." John thumped his chest, the flesh shaking with every slap. "This hotel belongs to you. Who would dare complain? I'll go throw him out."

He started to rush out.

"Stop," I called out.

He froze in place, like someone hit pause on him.

"The party goes on as planned," I said.

"What?" John looked totally lost again.

"Give Alex whatever he wants," I said, setting the glass down and standing up. "And as for the waitress, I'll be there as he requested."