Inside the lively restaurant, the clatter of cutlery against ceramic plates mixed with the steady hum of conversation from the customers. Moving past the tables, Selina balanced a steel tray of steaming porridge balanced carefully in her hands as the creamy aroma wafted past her nose.
Every day she worked hard, serving tables, clearing plates, and keeping customers satisfied. That was what it took to keep her job, earn enough to cover her bills and keep moving forward.
As an outcast and illegitimate child, she didn't have the luxury of a safety net. There was no one to rely on but herself as she waited for her submission to be accepted, an opportunity that could change her life.
As Selina approached the customer who had ordered it, she carefully placed the dishes before them.
"Here is your potato soup. Hope you enjoy it—and maybe we will see you back again," Selina said in a warm yet professional tone.
The woman at the table smiled. "We'll try it and see."
Adjusting the glasses on her eyes, the thick frames heightening her unattractive appearance, she added with a sight smile. "I'm telling you, once you taste it, you won't want to eat anywhere else."
The woman gave a slight nod. "Okay."
Selina hummed softly. She turned and moved from her spot, heading toward a table nearby to take an order. But she halted midway when she heard a colleague calling her softly.
"Selina," the colleague called.
Selina turned in the direction of the voice, spotting her colleague, who signalled her to come over. Curious, she approached them.
The waiter gestured toward the young man in a black suit. "This young man is looking for you," the waiter informed her.
After delivering the message, the waiter left, leaving Selina standing with the man. She tilted her head slightly, studying his features. He didn't seem like a regular customer at the restaurant.
"Good day, sir," Selina greeted first.
"Good day, miss," the young man replied politely.
"Sorry, but who are you? And what do you want from me?" Selina asked, her tone polite but tinged with unease under his lingering gaze.
"I am Mr. Zane's secretary," the young man introduced himself.
Hearing that name, one she hadn't heard in three years, made her breath catch in her throat. "Y-You… you're Mr. Zane's secretary?" she stammered.
"Yes, my name is Damien," Damien confirmed firmly. Then he reached into his expensive suit pocket and pulled out a card, extending it to her. "This is an invitation from him. He wants you to attend his welcoming party."
Selina's eyes widened in shock as the unexpected news swirled in her head, scrambling her thoughts. She hadn't expected him to recognize her, let alone send an invitation. She had never imagined she'd get to see him again after he disappeared without a trace.
He had returned, just like she'd been yearning for all these years.
Staring at the card in Damien's hand, she could feel the excitement twinkling in her chest. She hesitated, her hand heavy with uncertainty, as she reached toward the invitation. She was still not sure why he'd want her there when she was just an ordinary waitress to him, someone easily overlooked.
To her, he was the man whose presence had once made her heart flutter—the man she'd secretly been crushing on for the past three years.
"Will you come to the party, Miss?" Damien noticed her hesitation, his voice patient.
Before Selina could respond, a familiar voice interrupted her. "Selina can't attend the party."
Her brows knitted at the sound of her boss's oppressive voice. It seemed this chance was slipping away after all.
Martin, her boss, approached, glaring at Damien. "My regular customers will soon fill the pub, and I can't afford to be short-staffed. Her shift doesn't end until 10 PM," he said dismissively.
"I understand, and I apologize for the intrusion," Damien replied, his tone calm but firm.
Martin ignored him, turning to Selina with a disapproving glare. "You were about to accept the invitation without my permission. How can you be so hasty?"
"I was just about to explain my job to him," Selina replied politely, trying to mask the disappointment in her voice.
"It's good that you still remember how things work here."
Selina stayed quiet, her gaze flickering back to the invitation in Damien's hand. She wasn't ready to face Zane, not when her life still felt small and stained, far from the admirable woman she dreamed of becoming. That way, he wouldn't have a reason to reject her if she ever confessed her feelings. But the thought of never seeing him again made her hesitation crumble, replaced by a bubbling anticipation.
Tightening her grip on her phone, she summoned the courage to speak. "Boss, can I leave? I promise I'll make up for it," she pleaded, her voice soft and hopeful.
"There's an order from the VIP floor. You should go serve that customer now." Martin replied.
Damien observed quietly, noticing how Martin refused to yield, just as his boss had predicted. Clearing his throat, he shifted Martin's attention back to him. "Sir, my boss will compensate for her absence during the remaining hours of her shift."
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 young women hinted at their intrigue.
Martin peeked inside the bag, his eyes widening at the sight of the cash. When 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 eyes widened, her jaw dropping in disbelief. A sudden surge of anger cut through her about the reason Zane had to offer such a large sum to her boss, who didn't deserve it.
"Do you mind allowing her to attend?" Damien asked again.
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, ready to leave. "If so, I'll return and deliver your message to my boss."
He glanced at Selina, noting the eagerness flickering across her features. Just as he was about to turn away, Martin spoke quickly.
"There are plenty of waiters to cover her shift. You can take her. The pub ran fine without her before, after all."
Martin's sudden change of heart left Selina speechless. After all the times he'd denied her requests for small things, here he was, folding for cash.
Martin faced her with a forced amicable smile while he said, "Have fun. Just remember to be back for your shift tomorrow."
Once Martin walked away, Damien asked, seeking her final confirmation. "Are you still coming, Miss?"
It would be rude to reject an invitation from the man she'd been secretly yearning for. Selina inhaled deeply as if breathing in a new chance, believing this was her moment and her only chance to see him again.
She lifted her chin, took the card from Damien, and whispered, "Thank you. I'll be there."
"I'll deliver your response to Mr. Zane," Damien said, turning to leave.
Selina walked to the counter, her heart racing as she opened the black-and-gold-designed VIP invitation card and began reading the elegant print inwardly.
'Miss Selina, you are cordially invited to Cassius Hotel, Event Hall, at 7:00 p.m.,' she paused, her gaze lowering as she whispered, 'From, Zane.'
A radiant smile curled across her heart-shaped lips, anticipation twinkling within like she won the lottery. It seemed he truly remembered her name despite never once never sparing her a glance.
She swiped up on her phone, unlocking the screen, which displayed a picture of a young man with striking features. She smiled softly at the image before checking the time. There were two hours left to get ready.
Without hesitation, Selina grabbed her tote bag from the counter, slinging it over her shoulder. As she stepped out of the pub and onto the bustling street, the cool evening air brushed against her skin.
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.