Chapter 3

"Okay, you can go downstairs now and check that everything is perfect. When about fifty guests have arrived, send me a message to let me into the room. "

I nod at his command and turn to leave his office. I can't stand his personality, I can't stand him, but I have to stick it out while I have this job. It took too much effort to land it only to give it up over something as simple as not being able to stand my boss.

I leave that cramped space and wander through his mansion as if it were my own home; I know it like the back of my hand. It's not that I've been here long—Lucas moved to Boston just a week ago—but he's made me work so hard these past few days that there's no way I can navigate these halls with my eyes closed.

And although I complain about the excessive workload, at least it has kept me busy and I haven't paid too much attention to the fact that I'm back in the city where I became the worst version of myself, where I lost everything.

I shake off any unwelcome thoughts and head downstairs, laden with last-minute orders and revisions. Everything is as it should be; it's eight o'clock at night, and the guests are starting to arrive.

from my post in the kitchen, I have the rest of the event under control. There have been no problems at the gates or in the parking lot. I made sure everything was taken care of so I could focus on the catering, because Lucas is a millionaire, but he's incredibly cheap, so he didn't want to hire anyone else.

When Bianca Hale arrives, I have to step away from the kitchen to take her to her wealthy lover. Standing beside her, a feeling of inferiority tries to take hold of me, but I remind myself that I don't want to look good. She looks beautiful in a dress that I'm sure Lucas will approve of.

"Good evening, Bianca Hale. Welcome. Will you accompany me, please? "

I'm polite and respectful because it's my job. I have no reason to hate her, but Bianca Hale is just another one of the many women who pass through Lucas's life. I can't even say I like her, because I'd be lying. Every single one I've met so far, without exception, is only interested in his money and who will do anything to get his attention for one night.

"Where's Lucas? " she asks in a shrill voice from behind me.

"In his office, waiting for you to leave. "

"Aww, how sweet. You can allow some guests not on the list to enter, right? "

Without looking back, I answer her.

"I could, but only with Mr. Sterling's approval. "

"Oh, come on, Evelyn. Lucas won't say a word; they're a couple he's happy to have around. They're very influential and among the richest in the city. They didn't get an invitation, I'm sure, because you didn't do your job properly. "

What she says makes me want to laugh. I don't give a damn what she thinks I did right or wrong.

We move forward to the elevator that goes to the upper floors and I press the button to open the doors.

"My boss can address that issue, Bianca Hale. " I extend my hand for her to enter the elevator. "Mr. Sterling is expecting you. "

She looks at me as if she wants to tell me everything she's been holding back, but it's just frustration at not being able to give me orders. She walks past me, clicking her heels and swaying her hips. Once inside, she looks at me with her chin held high and an air of superiority.

"Adrian Blackwood should have been first on that list. And Lucas will know it. "

The doors close, thankfully, and I'm not left exposed to Bianca Hale with the reaction that name triggers in me. Hearing it is like a slap in the face, and I don't know where it came from. I knew what I was getting into when I came back to this city, but I told myself Boston was too big and Lucas too arrogant to rub shoulders with someone who would be his competition. I convinced myself that I had to come if I wanted to keep my job.

Knowing that Adrian might show up here, if Bianca Hale manages to convince Lucas, makes a lump form in my throat, but I tell myself that I'm over it, that it can't affect me more than it did four years ago.

I walk away from the elevator and go back to the kitchens; I'm breaking out in a cold sweat and I need a break, I need a drink.

I manage to pull myself together little by little. I decide to forget those words Bianca Hale uttered, especially the part about unintentionally giving me news.

. .. A partner you'd do well to have close by. ..

I don't know how healthy it would be to investigate this now. The urge to do a quick Google search is strong, but I stop myself. I can't give in to that. I haven't heard from him in four years; I won't start tonight.

I focus on my work, organizing everything from the kitchens. I'm sweating from the heat an hour later when Lucas calls me directly.

"Evelyn, I sent someone to the kitchens asking for you. See to her. "

His order makes me sigh, but I tell myself I'm doing this for a good reason. A very important one.

I leave where I'm organizing the trays that are coming out and when I get to the kitchen entrance, the person I least wanted to see tonight stops in front of me.

She appears calm and innocent, but as soon as her eyes fall on me, and she realizes who's standing before her, surprise spreads across her face. She opens her mouth, wanting to say something, but nothing comes out. She looks me up and down, taking in every detail about me, from my glasses to my baggy, inexpensive clothes.

A slow smile begins to form on her face. And I mentally prepare myself to control my mouth and fists before driving either into her face.

"Who would have thought you were hiding here, like a sewer rat? " she mocks, crossing her arms, and looks at me with superiority.

"Let whoever has to hide, my dear. I'm not one of them, " I reply, not wanting to give her the satisfaction.

She raises a questioning eyebrow.

"Oh, really? Then where have you been? After you ran away like the coward you are, empty-handed, as you deserved, I didn't think you'd dare show your face around here. But I see you're still not making good decisions. "

I roll my eyes. Of course, he has to mention everything that happened and how Adrian demanded a divorce without any compensation.

"For some women, dignity is more important, Cassandra. Are you the one they sent to the kitchen? There can't be any intruders in this area. .. "

Seeing that I don't react to her poison, she makes a face, but insists; she can't walk away without a confrontation.

"From being the proud wife of the millionaire tycoon Adrian Blackwood, you've become a waitress, is that what you are? " She looks at me with a disgusted expression. "You don't look like one, you're so awful it's pathetic. Why did you come back, Evelyn? Do you intend to show up to Adrian and embarrass yourself again? "

Her words don't surprise me; I expected nothing less. But despite her apparent confidence, I see in her that insecurity I always felt when I was around. And I take advantage of that, because the idiot cheated on me with her, yes, but I won't let anyone treat me like that without standing up for myself.

"It's none of your business who I am, or what I'm doing here. Introduce me to Adrian? Why would I want that? You can keep him, if you're protecting him from me so much. "

"Well, just so you know, we're engaged, as it should always have been, " she announces, and although it pains my heart to confirm it, it doesn't take me by surprise.

After four years, knowing that my ex-husband is about to marry his former lover isn't surprising.