Please, Ma’am? I do not want to lose my job

Athonia’s POV

I stepped out of the car and headed into the hotel. Tonight was Maya’s birthday party. I did not want to be here. But I had no choice. Everyone expected me to show up. I checked the time. 8:20 p.m. The party started at 7:30. Yes, I was late. No, I did not care. Honestly, they should be grateful I even came.

I wore a matte black dress, backless, a little cleavage, just enough to draw eyes. I looked hot. No lie. A full-on showstopper. The moment I entered the hotel, a staff member greeted me and guided me politely.

“This way, Ma’am,” she said.

I lifted my chin and walked with purpose toward the grand ballroom. They opened the doors.

I stepped in without a pause. Like I expected, heads turned. Mom. Dad. Maya. Even Jayden.

All staring. I gave them my sweetest smile. Totally fake, but flawless.

I did not go to them. Not yet. Instead, I walked straight to Kezzy’s table. I was not about to ruin my mood by facing Maya too soon. Tonight, I would keep things simple.

“Oh wow, you actually showed up,” Kezzy teased, pouting playfully.

She sat beside her boyfriend, Prince. Their families had always been close to ours. Childhood ties. The usual.

“I had no choice,” I said as I took my seat.

Kezzy had been calling, texting, nagging me all day.

“So? What is the tea? Have they announced that Maya is pregnant yet?” I asked while checking my reflection on my phone.

“Wait… pregnant?!” Kezzy gasped.

“Oh yes. That is the big surprise,” I said without interest.

Call me a spoiler. I do not care.

“They have not announced it yet,” she said under her breath, “but I think you just did.”

Her eyes widened.

“Girl, your voice! Half the room probably heard that!”

I looked around.

Yep. A few guests were glancing our way.

I rolled my eyes and turned back to her and Prince.

“Hey, Ath… your sister is coming this way,” Prince muttered, nodding toward the dance floor.

I looked up.

There she was, Maya, walking over, smiling like the star of the show.

“I am glad you came. I thought you would skip it,” she said, glowing in her gown.

I wanted to roll my eyes again, but hey, birthday girl. Let her shine.

“Yeah, right. Happy birthday,” I said flatly.

“Thank you, Ath,” she replied.

She moved in for a hug, but I stepped back just enough and gave her a look.

“Jayden is calling you. Looks like it is time for your big moment,” I said coolly.

Her smile slipped just a little, but she nodded and turned back to her table.

The second her back was turned, I rolled my eyes again and faced Kezzy and Prince.

“You are so mean, Ath. You could have hugged her. It is her birthday,” Kezzy scolded with a frown.

“Nah. She is plastic,” I said, shaking my head. “And I am fire. I might burn her on accident.”

Kezzy stared at me. Prince let out a small laugh.

“You still have not forgiven her?” Prince asked.

I gave a dry laugh. Sarcasm, of course.

“I forgave her. Long ago, actually,” I said, shrugging with no real feeling.

“But that does not mean I can bring back what we had.”

The pain she left behind, her and Jayden, was too deep.

“Ladies and gentlemen, it is time! Let us welcome the birthday girl and her husband, Mr. and Mrs. Aquian! Give them a round of applause!”

I barely listened. It was boring. All of it.

“Kee, have you eaten yet?” I asked, changing the subject.

“Yes, a while ago,” she said, eyes still on the stage. Maya was smiling like she had it all. Jayden stood beside her, proud.

“I am starving,” I mumbled, pouting.

“Let us just order. Hey, waiter!” Prince called out.

A server rushed over. “Yes, Sir and Ma’am?”

“I want tempura, pasta, and red wine,” I said with a yawn.

“Please hurry. I am too hungry to wait.”

“Right away, Ma’am.”

“My wife Maya is seven weeks pregnant!” Jayden’s voice boomed across the room.

Clapping followed. Cheers. So much noise.

“Kee, Jayden moves fast,” I said flatly.

“That is his second baby already,” Kezzy said, smirking. “How about you, Ath? Still nothing, huh?”

I forced a smile.

“I will have a child soon, too.”

“Oh please,” Kezzy laughed. “Ath does not even have a boyfriend. What are you expecting?”

Prince joined in. “Maybe when she gets married, she will catch up. What do you say, love? Want to start trying?” he asked Kezzy while sipping his wine.

Gross.

I gagged dramatically, pretending I was about to vomit.

“You two are disgusting,” I said. “Cringe.”

“Ma’am, your food is here.” The waiter placed the plate in front of me with care.

But the moment the smell reached me, my stomach flipped.

“Ugh…” I grabbed my mouth fast, eyes wide.

Kezzy and Prince looked at me in shock.

“Where is the restroom?” I asked, panicking. “Please take me there.”

I pressed my hand over my mouth and stood up. A few guests looked my way. I did not care.

“This way, Ma’am.” The waiter pointed down the hall.

I rushed after him. But just before I reached the door, someone crashed into me. I dropped to my knees. Then it happened. I threw up, right there, in front of them.

“What the? Are you okay, Miss?”

That voice. My heart sank. No. No, no, no. That voice… belonged to Ethan. I dropped lower, trying to hide my face. My chest tightened. I had to get away. Now. The moment I saw space, I shoved past him and ran. Yes, ran. In heels. And somehow, I made it.

“Miss!” he called after me. I did not stop.

I spotted the women’s restroom and darted inside. Door slammed. Lock turned. Done.

I backed into the wall, breathing hard. Why was he here? Was he invited? What kind of joke is this? So my sister brought her ex-boyfriend, her first love, to this party? For what?

Why does fate keep throwing him in front of me? What am I supposed to do now? What if he follows me? What if he is already waiting outside? I did not even bring my phone! I washed my face, grateful for my waterproof makeup. Still clean. Still perfect. Seriously, fate, what are you trying to do? The more I try to avoid him, the more you throw him in my way.

I stared at my reflection. Five minutes. Ten. Twenty. Then…knock.

“Ath?”

It was Kezzy.

“Kezzy!”

“Open the door, Ath.”

“Is there anyone out there?” I asked, heart racing.

“No, just me. Why?”

I unlocked the door fast and pulled her inside.

“Are you okay?” she asked, worried.

“No! I am not!” I said, hands flying up. “Ethan is here. I ran into him, and I threw up. Right in front of him!”

“What?! Are you serious? What did he say?”

“Nothing. I kept my head down. He said my name, and I just ran. I came straight here. But what if he is outside? That would make all of this pointless!”

“Good thing I followed you. You were gone too long. Your mum is already looking for you.”

“I cannot go back out there, not with Ethan around!”

“But wait… how did he even end up here? I thought he was your sister’s ex?”

“He is. So she must have invited him.” I groaned. “Now what?”

“Okay, listen,” Kezzy said, quick and focused. “You go to the parking lot. I will head back and get your phone and bag. Sound good?”

“Yes. I will wait in the car.”

“Alright. Let us move.”

She opened the restroom door and peeked.

“All clear. Come on.”

She stepped out first. I followed, walking fast. But of course, someone blocked our way.

“Ma’am Athonia,” said Olivia, one of our house staff. “Your parents are looking for you.”

“Tell them you did not see me. Just say I already left,” I said fast.

“Ma’am, your father is in a bad mood. He will scold me if I do not bring you back.” Her voice was low, her face tight with fear.

I clenched my jaw.

“Please, Ma’am? I do not want to lose my job.”

I sighed. Bit my lip.

“Fine. Go tell them I will be there soon. I promise.”

“Really? Thank you, Ma’am! They are waiting over there.”

I nodded once, watching her walk away.

Then Kezzy turned to me.

“So? Are you really going back?” she asked.

“Just for a moment. Let us go.”

We hurried back toward the party.

The second we stepped inside, my eyes scanned the room.

No Ethan. Relief came over me. We went straight to our table. I grabbed my phone and bag. Time to go.

“Ath, are you okay?” Prince asked as he walked over. “Your sister is looking for you.”

“I am fine. Thanks,” I said, waving him off.

“Ye…” Prince began, but someone cut in.

“Athonia!”

I turned. Maya. I rolled my eyes but kept my face polite.

“It is her birthday,” I reminded myself.

“Wait here. I will go to her,” I told Kezzy, forcing a smile.

I walked over to Maya.

“What?” I asked, standing in front of her.

“I thought you already left,” she said with a fake smile.

“I am about to,” I answered, cold.

“That was quick. Did you even eat?”

Before I could speak, a voice from behind me joined in.

“So, she is Athonia?”

My body locked up. No. Please no. Maybe I am wrong. Maybe it is someone else.

“Yes. She is my sister,” Maya replied cheerfully.

I swallowed. I could not turn around. Not yet.

“Hey, Athonia. Nice to meet you.”

Nope. Not wrong. That voice was his.

“Ath, are you alright?” Maya asked, noticing my face.

I gave her a slow nod and turned. There he was.

“Oh no,” I whispered.

Ethan. Looking at me with that same unreadable smile. Like he could read my mind.  Like he knew.

“Hey, Ath,” he said again.

I looked away fast. Locked onto Maya.

“Ah, yes. Nice to meet you too, Ethan,” I said, smiling politely and holding out my hand.

I had to fake it. I had to pretend. Like we were strangers. But the second his hand touched mine, something fired through me. A jolt. A memory. Something I did not want.

“You know him?” Maya asked, confused.

My mouth dried. I slipped. I said his name. I was supposed to act like I had no idea who he was.

“Of course she knows me,” Ethan said, still smiling. “Very, very well.”

Then he clenched his jaw. I wanted the floor to open up and swallow me whole. There was no escape now. What do I do?