Being an outcast—more precisely, the illegitimate child shunned by the prestigious Everett family at sixteen over a past scandal—Selina had spent years struggling to find her place in a harsh world that refused to forget.
Her only means of survival was working hard every day as a waitress, serving customers with a polite smile while earning a little to pay her bills and keep moving forward.
Just like now, she held a rag instead of her Croquis to sketch out her creativity; it felt suffocating to suppress her true passion of becoming a renowned fashion designer whose work would be admired, freeing her from her humiliating past.
Well, it was rare for life to unfold the way one wishes. Once things became messy, they were hard to mend.
Selina sighed as she wiped down the cluttered table after the pub had emptied for a while.
"Gosh... I can't wait for my life to get better," Selina murmured, frustration bubbling up. "I want to build my wealth, take vacations like those independent women, and hold on to the people who matter."
She paused when someone crossed her mind as a dreamy smile warmed her lips. "And have a sweet romance with the one I love," she muttered, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.
It had been so long since she'd last seen him at the pub. She often wondered where he was, hoping he was well—even if he lived only in her thoughts these days. She longed for the day they'd cross paths again.
Adjusting the thick-framed glasses that heightened her plain appearance, she moved to finish her remaining tasks before her shift ended.
The doorbell over the entrance chimed, snapping her from her thoughts. She turned quickly to see a tall man in a black suit step confidently inside, scanning the room as if searching for someone.
Noticing his focused gaze, Selina approached.
"Good evening, sir," she greeted, drawing his attention. "Welcome to our pub. What can I get you?"
"I'm not here to eat," the young man said politely, his intense expression softening as he met her eyes.
Selina frowned slightly in confusion. "Then... what brings you here?" she asked, her tone courteous but uneasy under his stare.
"I'm Damien. Mr. Zane's secretary," he introduced. "I have a message from him."
Hearing that name, one she hadn't heard in two years, made her heart flutter with emotions, leaving her momentarily dumbfounded.
Did she just misheard? The Zane she remembered was a mysterious customer whom she managed to learn his name when his ID accidentally fell from his wallet.
"Mr...Mr. Zane? Which Zane are you talking about?" Selina stammered.
Damien pulled out his phone from the pocket of his suit, flipping to a photo he held out to her.
"He's the same customer you served over a month here two years ago," he clarified.
Selina's breath hitched as recognition dawned. Those striking features hadn't changed at all.
Damien slipped the phone away and offered her a sleek card. "He wants you to attend his welcoming party."
Selina lowered her gaze to the invitation as It didn't make sense—how could Zane still remember her, the plain waitress he'd barely acknowledged before disappearing? It was both thrilling and unsettling.
The worst was that she wasn't ready to face him, especially not when her life was so messy. He might not even want anything to do with her once he knew everything about her.
"I don't have any kind of relationship with him," she said, though her voice trembled with yearning. "My showing up might trouble him."
"You don't need to be nervous," Damien reassured her. "It's just a small banquet with a few acquaintances. And members of the Everett Group. He wants to get to know you."
Hearing that, Selina creased her brows in utter shock. Zane might be mysterious, but his connection to the Everett family left her conflicted. The thought of possibly seeing her father again, whom she hadn't seen in almost six months, filled her with anticipation. She was certain he would be there since he managed the Everett Group.
At least she could use this opportunity since she had missed his voice and comforting hugs.
Before Selina could respond, a familiar voice interrupted her.
"Selina can't attend the party."
Her expression darkened a little at the sound of her boss's voice.
Martin marched over, glaring at Damien. "My regulars will be here soon. I can't afford to be short-staffed."
"I understand," Damien replied, voice calm but firm. "I apologize for the interruption."
Martin turned on Selina with a cold stare. "You were going to accept that without my permission? Don't forget you need to run to the market for restocking. Don't be so hasty."
Selina sighed once again, knowing that the errand alone would take hours, and Martin always found excuses to make her work late.
"I was just about to explain my job to him," she uttered.
"It's good you remember how things work here."
"Please, Boss. Can I go? I'll make it up tomorrow," she pleaded.
Martin shot Selina a death glare, causing her to swallow her pleas. "No. You're the only one free to handle the market orders. Go now before we get busy," he snapped.
Damien watched in silence for a moment before clearing his throat, shifting Martin's focus.
"Sir, my boss will compensate for her missed shifts."
Damien lifted a paper bag toward Martin. The older man hesitated, curiosity flickering in his eyes before accepting it. The glances shared between the two younger women hinted at their intrigue.
Martin peeked inside the bag, his eyes widening at the sight of cash. Once he regained his composure, he straightened his posture, but his expression remained stiff.
"How dare you try to bribe me? Who the hell is your boss? How dare he—"
"That's a sum of fifty thousand," Damien interrupted softly, unfazed.
Selina's jaw dropped. She couldn't tell if she was flattered or uneasy that Zane would pay so much just to have her there.
Damien studied Martin's expression before inquiring again. "Do you mind letting her attend?"
Martin cleared his throat, trying to look away from the money, but his eyes flickered back to it. "The pub needs an extra hand, and Selina leaving will make things a little difficult," he muttered, feigning disinterest.
"So… are you refusing her?" Damien's tone was stern, playing a card to leave. "If so, I'll return and deliver your message to my boss."
Damien glanced at Selina, noticing the eagerness enveloping her. Just as he was about to turn away, Martin spoke quickly.
"There are plenty of waiters to handle her job. You can take her. The pub managed just fine without her before, after all."
Selina wasn't stunned by Martin's sudden change of heart over some cash. He'd refused even the smallest favour from her that was relevant.
Martin flashed her a forced smile. "Have fun. Just be back for your shift tomorrow."
Once Martin walked away, Damien asked, seeking her final confirmation. "Are you still coming, Miss?"
Selina drew a steadying breath. She couldn't say no, not now—not when her heart felt like it would burst from anticipation.
She lifted her chin, took the invitation card from him, and whispered, "Thank you. I'll be there."
Damien nodded once. "I'll let Mr. Zane know."
Selina walked slowly to the counter, her fingers trembling as she opened the sleek black-and-gold invitation and read the elegant script inside.
Miss Selina, you are cordially invited to the Cassius Hotel, Event Hall, at 7:00 p.m. From, Zane.'
A radiant smile spread across her heart-shaped lips as she listened to her pulse thumping with excitement that he really remembered her name, even if he hadn't looked at her before.
She unlocked her phone and its screen lit up with a photo of herself and her father, causing her smile to widen. She had been thinking about how to reach her father all this while.
"We will meet at the banquet tonight," she whispered as she grabbed her tote bag, slung it over her shoulder.
She headed for the exit.
She had almost convinced herself he was just a fleeting dream, someone she'd never see again. Yet here it was: an invitation, unexpected and real. It was like a crack in the walls of her fantasy.
Humming a soft melody, Selina walked toward the bus stop, the hope in her heart growing with every step.