Chapter 3
John was stunned. He couldn't make sense of what I was doing at all. "Ms. Starr, why are you doing this?"
"Don't ask questions you don't need to ask," I said, then walked out of the office without another word.
I needed a stage, a grand stage where Alex would fall from the top of the world to rock bottom, and the party he orchestrated for me was the perfect place for it.
*****
At 7:50 that evening, I changed into a waitress's uniform, picked up a tray, and arrived at the presidential suite right on time.
Chloe opened the door.
When she saw me, her face lit up with a smug grin. "Well, Evelyn, you actually showed up. I thought you'd be too scared to come."
She was strutting in a sparkly mini dress, her makeup flawless. She looked like a proud peacock showing off its feathers.
The room was already packed with trust fund kids and influencer types, music blasting and the party in full swing.
Alex stood in the middle of the crowd, surrounded by people hanging on his every word. He shot me a dismissive look, raised his eyebrow, then went back to laughing with his crew.
I kept my eyes straight ahead and began weaving through the crowd, handing out drinks.
"Hey, isn't that the front desk girl? What is she doing playing waitress now?" A slick-haired guy noticed me.
"Trying to hook up with someone rich," his girlfriend scoffed, curling her lips. "Look at her. She acts all sweet and innocent, but who knows what she's really like."
"Alex, your ex is really brave. She'll do anything to get your attention," someone jeered at Alex.
Alex held his glass and leaned back against the couch without denying it.
His silence only emboldened them.
Chloe picked up a glass of red wine and sauntered over to me.
"Evelyn, you've been working so hard," she said, holding out the glass. "This one is for you."
I stared at her, refusing to take the glass.
"What does this mean?" Her smile faded. "Evelyn, don't forget your place."
All eyes locked onto us, everyone waiting for a show.
"I'm a waitress," I replied calmly. "I'm not allowed to drink."
"Is that so?" Chloe suddenly tipped her hand, and the glass of wine splashed right onto my white shirt.
The liquid ran down my collar, leaving the fabric cold and sticky against my skin.
"Oh, no. I'm so sorry," she shrieked dramatically. "It was an accident. You aren't mad at me, are you?"
Everyone burst out laughing.
"Chloe, you're way too nice. Why bother apologizing to a waitress?"
"Yeah, she had it coming. Look at her. She has such a bitter face."
My white shirt was soaked through with wine, clinging tightly to my body and outlining my figure. I stood there, like a criminal being shamed.
Alex sat nearby, watching coldly. There wasn't a trace of emotion on his face, as if none of this had anything to do with him. Perhaps he was enjoying every second of it.
"Evelyn, your shirt is all wet. Don't you want to go change?" Chloe said, her voice dripping with fake concern. "Oh, right, you probably don't have a spare, do you? Or maybe—"
Her eyes gleamed with malice as she flashed a wicked grin. "Why don't you take your clothes off? I'll have Alex buy you a hundred new outfits. How does that sound?"
"Take it off." The crowd started jeering, catcalling, and tossing out dirty jokes.
I could feel my anger rising.
I looked at Chloe's smug face, then at all those sneering faces around me, and finally, my eyes landed on Alex.
He finally moved.
He stood up and walked toward me slowly.
They all made way for him.
He stopped in front of me, looking down at me as if I were nothing more than a dog he could crush under his shoe whenever he pleased.
"Evelyn," he said, every word a deliberate blow to my dignity. "Chloe was joking with you. Don't take it to heart."
He reached out, as if to fix my wet collar.
I jerked back, avoiding his touch.
His hand froze in midair, and the smile on his face slowly disappeared. "Who the fuck do you think you are?"
The tension in the room was thick.
"Alex, don't be mad," Chloe hurried over, wrapping herself around his arm and pouting. "Evelyn didn't mean it. She's not used to taking care of guests."
Then she turned to me, as if she was doing me a favor. "Evelyn, apologize to Alex, and we'll let it slide."
Apologize? Why should I?
"Alex, look at her," Chloe whined when I didn't budge. "She's so ungrateful. You've been good enough to her, and she acts as if you owe her."
Alex's patience had run out.
"Evelyn, I'm asking you one last time." There was a dangerous edge to his voice. "What the hell do you want?"
What did I want?
I looked at him and burst out laughing. I laughed so hard that tears nearly came to my eyes.
Everyone was caught off guard by my reaction.
"Is she crazy?"
"She must have lost it."
Alex's expression darkened. He snapped, "Shut up."
I stopped laughing and walked up to him, locking eyes with him. Then I said, stressing every word, "Alex, do you enjoy playing with me like it's some kind of game?"
He said nothing. He only stared at me coldly.
"Do you get some kind of satisfaction out of keeping me under your thumb? Do you think I have no choice but to do whatever you say?"
Chloe screamed, "Evelyn, are you crazy? How dare you talk to Alex like that?"
She rushed forward and tried to shove me, but I sidestepped her.
I ignored her, my eyes locked on Alex.
"Alex," I leaned in, my voice low enough for only him to hear. "In these past three years, have you ever wondered, even for a second, why you ended up losing so badly back then?"
His eyes widened in shock.
It was a secret between us, something only he, I, and a handful of other people knew.