Chapter 3: Engaged to a desi

(Meghan’s POV)

The supervisor whispered aggressively into my ear, “Hold the tray higher, Meghan, and if you let a drop of champagne get on the floor, I’ll take it right off your agency f*e.”

The vast estate was built on top of a high bluff overlooking the sea, and the white stone pavilion was bathed in the golden glow of the setting sun.

I ignored the supervisor entirely, my gaze darting over the richly dressed guests sitting on the elegant outdoor furniture. My heart pounded against my ribs.

I spotted him ten minutes later. Adrian Vaughn stood near a heavy glass railing, looking out at the crowd of guests who swarmed around him like planets around the sun.

He looked the same as he had the night before on the hotel roof—effortless and relaxed.

Then his eyes scanned the balcony, and they locked squarely on my face.

I didn’t flinch, and I didn’t look away. I lifted my chin, balanced the weighty aluminum tray along my fingertips, and walked right across his path as if he were nothing more than discarded furniture.

I could feel his smile flicker for a second, but before he could decide whether to step forward or let me pass, I kept moving and was soon swallowed by the thick crowd.

I glided among the guests like a stream, unseen and silent.

No one looked twice at me, and that was the secret of service. You were only ever noticed when a rich person wanted a glass refilled.

As I was loading my tray with food by the outdoor bar, I heard a voice in the crowd. It wasn’t Adrian’s voice. It was old, rough, and carried the kind of authority that had been built over decades.

“Adrian, this is the last time,” the man said.

Across from Adrian stood Harlan Vaughn, the head of the entire empire.

Harlan’s voice rumbled low and menacingly. “I started Vaughn Hotels from scratch more than half a century ago. And you use my legacy as your own personal playground. You go out every Saturday night to have a fling in public and then use my name to cover it up.”

“No, Dad, it wasn’t like that,” Adrian said, straightening his posture.

Harlan cut him off with a sharp wave of his hand. “Enough. At the board meeting next month, Julian will be named Chief Executive Officer. I’ve made up my mind.”

I could hardly breathe.

“Wait,” Adrian said, and all lightness vanished from his voice. His tone was sharp and urgent. “Dad, you can’t do this to me.”

“Give me one good reason why I shouldn’t,” Harlan said.

There was a heavy silence between them, broken only by the crackle of the nearest torch flame.

“I’m engaged,” Adrian said.

I almost spilled the whole tray of champagne flutes onto the stone floor, my fingers tightening around the metal rim to keep the glasses from breaking.

“Engaged?” Harlan asked, his voice thick with disbelief.

“Yes,” Adrian said, though his words seemed meant to create a lie on the spot. “Her name is Meghan. She’s a designer, and she’s absolutely incredible. I’ve been keeping the relationship under wraps until it’s official because I don’t want the press to wreck it.”

This time, the silence was darker. I could see the old man weighing his words, as if trying to decide whether he had been set up.

At last, Harlan said, “I want to meet this girl. No excuses and no delays.”

“Yes,” Adrian said quickly. “I’ll set it up.”

“It isn’t one of your silly games, is it?” Harlan asked.

“It’s not a game, Dad,” Adrian replied. “You’ll see for yourself.”

Their footsteps faded down the stone path, and my heart beat so hard I could feel my pulse in my teeth.

He had lied to his father and said he was engaged to a woman. The funny thing was that he had used my real name to do it.

I supposed there might be another woman with my name.

I should have walked away then and wrapped up my shift, but I didn’t get the chance.

Ten minutes later, I was walking across a dark lawn with a tray of empty glasses in my hand when a hand grabbed my upper arm from behind.

“Hey, server girl,” a man shouted, blocking my path. “Where are you going with those?”

There were three men in the shadows of the trees. They were drunk and bored, their expensive watches catching the torchlight as they moved to cut off my escape.

The hand on my arm tightened until it pinched my skin.

I struggled against his grip. “Excuse me, but I work here,” I said. “Let go of me.”

“Doesn’t look like you have much company right here,” one of them said.

“Get back now,” I told him.

The first one laughed. “Or what?”

I was about to call out to the supervisor, but before I could, a large shadow appeared behind us.

“Let go of her arm,” Adrian said.

His voice was as cold as ice in the warm night air. The man holding my arm turned his head, his brow creasing when he saw the son of the billionaire.

“Vaughn?” he asked, his hand loosening slightly but still lingering too close. “It’s none of your business.”

“Yes, it is,” Adrian replied, strolling into the glow of the nearest torch beam.

His face was suddenly stripped of all calculation. His jaw was set, and his eyes were dark with quiet fury. “Either you leave her now, or I’ll get you both off this property personally.”

The man immediately let go of my arm and raised both hands. “Whatever, man. She’s just a server. She isn’t worth the drama.”

They scuttled off toward the main pavilion, and Adrian watched them until they disappeared before turning back to me.

“Are you alright?” he asked.

I rubbed my upper arm where the man’s fingers had left red marks. “I’m perfectly fine.”

He shook his head and ran a hand through his dark hair. “I’m sorry about them. This party attracts people who don’t know how to behave.”

“I’m okay,” I said, bending down to pick up the tray. “Thanks for saving me. But I have to get back to the kitchen before the supervisor realizes I’m missing.”

“Wait, Meghan,” he said, taking my elbow gently. “Please. I just need one minute