Chapter 3

The luxurious atmosphere of the Golden Age Group party swirls about my sides. Soft clicks of champagne glasses and the murmurs of discussion filled the atmosphere, mingling with the scent of exotic flowers and rich aromas from the buffet. I stood awkwardly in my business attire, that couldn't match out with the glamorously dressed attendees. The glimmering chandeliers cast a warm glow over everything, Setting it to me how much I don't belong here.

I'm here on a job, not to have fun. Words from Thane echo in my mind, reminding me to stay focused. But as I find my way to the buffet, a sharp, familiar voice cuts through the noise of the party:

"Get me some food here!"

I looked up, and my eyes fell on Freya Howard. She's plastered with heavy makeup, she stands in an aura of arrogance that makes my skin crawl. Our eyes met, and I saw hers widen briefly in recognition before a smirk found its way across her face. Tilting her chin up, sizing me up like she was some kind of predator.

"So it's you," Freya says with a sneer, her voice filled with disregard.

My stomach turned, but I kept my face impassive and still. , reminding me of my task. I try to brush past her, but she's not done.

"Do you work as a waitress now? Haha, what a joke!" Freya lets out a cruel laugh, her eyes glinting with utter delight as she takes delight in what she thinks is my downfall.

Her taunts ring in my ears, but I clenched my jaw and resisted the urge to snap at her or do something stupid. I've dealt with people way worse than Freya Howard for the past three years I have been with Marino.

"You were so arrogant just now, weren't you?" she continues, her smile vicious as she eyes my less glamorous attire. "Every dog has its day too."

My chest tightens with rage, but I maintain my calm. I've learned the hard way that losing my temper rarely ends well. I try to brush past her again, refusing to let her words provoke me.

But Freya is not satisfied with me not paying her heed. She intensifies her voice, sharp and shrill like witches: "Gianna, you dare walk away from me! When I could easily get someone to fire you in this instance!"

Her words gave a direct challenge, and the smirk on her face shows she enjoys the power she believes she holds. Something inside me snaps. I've had enough of people like Freya thinking they can walk all over me based on their moods.

I turned back slowly, with my eyes cold as steel. "Fire me? Miss Howard, and who the hell do you think you to do so?"

My voice is steady, ruining Freya's bravado. She wasn't expecting me to work with her. She flushes with anger, her hands clenched up into fists. Her lips tightened together, momentarily speechless.

Before either of us could go for another round of lashing, a soft, almost soothing voice intruded the tongue battle.

"Freya, what's going on here?"

I froze up. I know that voice. Watching as Rosy Cook approaches our spot, her red evening gown shimmering under the light of the classy hall, the scent of expensive perfume still as nauseous as ever accompanies her. My heart raced again, old wounds and new fury were opened and built up.

Freya immediately points at me, her tone gleeful. "Rosy just in time, check out our guest of honor! Gianna, joining the crew of VIPs!"

Rosy's confident smile falters for just a second as her eyes meet mine. Her eyes were a bit cautious, still amazed by my presence here. Her grip on her glamorous gown went hard a little, though she maintained an outward calm appearance.

"And Why is Gianna here?" Rosy's eyes flash with uncertainty, but still, she tries to mask it under a polite smile.

I was about to walk away, to play maturely. But with Freya's smugness and Rosy's annoying presence that might be easier said than done. The tension that's been building inside me for years finally Went beyond its cap.

Under the spark of fury, I raised the plate in my hand and smashed it down onto Freya's head. The sound of shattering porcelain echoes through the air as Freya lets out a shrill scream. Gravy drips down her excessively styled hair, a spicy scent filling the space around us.

"You b*tch!" Freya shrieks, blinking furiously as she pants the spicy gravy burns her eyes. She stumbles backward, her hands flailing all over.

Without missing a beat, I turned to Rosy, who was frozen in shock. With a swift move, I slapped her in the face. The crisp sound of beating flesh resounded in the hall, and then she gasped, holding her cheek as it burned. Before she could react, I grabbed a nearby bowl of gravy and threw it over her designer dress like I had always wanted.

"Gianna, you psycho!" Rosy screeches in horror as the thick sauce stains her expensive gown, the spicy heat adding insult to injury.

"Somebody help!" Rosy screams, her voice shaking with a mix of rage and humiliation.

I stand my ground, my heart pounding with adrenaline as I watch the chaos unfold. The murmurs of onlookers rise, a crowd forming as Freya stumbles around, blinded by the spicy sauce, and Rosy glares at me with fury burning in her eyes.

Satisfied with my retaliation, I turn on my heel and walk away from the scene, leaving behind Freya and Rosy's shrieks and the whispers of the crowd. The scent of spices lingers as I exit, my heartbeat finally beginning to slow.

As I make my way out of the party, the reality of what I've just done starts to sink in. I've probably just ruined any chance of keeping my job with Thane Reed. But oddly enough, I don't feel panicked. Instead, there's a strange sense of liberation coursing through me.

For years, I've been holding back, swallowing my anger and hurt. I've been the good girl, the professional, the one who always takes the high road. But tonight, I let it all out. And you know what? It felt good.

I find a quiet corner away from the main hall and lean against the wall, taking deep breaths. My hands are shaking, but not from fear. It's like all the pent-up emotions I've been carrying for the past three years have finally found an outlet.

I close my eyes, replaying the scene in my mind. Freya's shocked face as the plate smashed over her head. Rosy gasped as my hand connected with her cheek. The a look of utter disbelief in both their eyes as they realized I wasn't going to be their punching bag anymore.

A small smile tugs at my lips. It wasn't the most mature way to handle the situation, sure. But after everything they've put me through, it felt like justice. Messy, gravy-covered justice.

My phone buzzes in my pocket, pulling me out of my thoughts. It's Thane. I take a deep breath before answering.

"Gianna, what the hell is going on?" His voice is sharp and angry. "I'm hearing reports of some kind of food fight involving you?"

Closed my eyes to steel myself. "Mr Reed, I can explain…."

"Save it," he cuts me off. "I don't want to listen to your excuses. You don't realize how this makes me look? Having my assistant cause a scene at a high-profile event?"

I felt a flicker of guilt, but it was quickly overshadowed by a surge of defiance. "With all due respect, Mr. Reed, maybe you should ask why your assistant felt the need to defend herself against harassment."

There's a pause on the other end of the line. When Thane speaks again, his voice is low and dangerous. "Are you saying it's my fault?"

"Not all," I replied, surprised by how steady my voice was. "What I am  saying is, maybe it's time we both reevaluate our working relationship."

Another pause. "You are planning on quitting, Gianna?"

I took a deep breath. Am I? The thought of walking away from this job, as demanding and often demeaning as it is, sends a jolt of fear through me. But then with Freya's taunts keeping my job wouldn't be easy anymore, Rosy's smug face, and all the times I've had to swallow my pride working for Thane would only intensify.

"Yes," I say finally. "Maybe I am."

I can almost hear Thane's jaw clenching up through the phone. "Fine. Don't expect a reference."

The line goes dead. I stare at my phone for a moment, a mix of emotions swirling inside me. Fear, yes. Uncertainty about what comes next, maybe. But also... relief. And finally….a strange sense of excitement.

I straighten up, smoothing out my clothes. As I did, I caught a whiff of the spicy gravy that clung to me through the ordeal, reminding me of the rebellion that transpired. I can't help but laugh.

Walking towards the exit, passed by a mirror. The woman staring back at me, was disheveled to the end, with a wild glint in her eyes that hadn't shone in years. She looks alive. Fierce. Ready to take on whatever comes next.

Stepping into the cool night air, I took a deep breath. “Hi” For the first time in three years, I felt like myself again, Alive. Not Marino's ex-wife. Not Thane's assistant. Just Gianna. And that Gianna is ready to change everything.

I board a taxi, giving the driver my home address. As we pulled away from the glittering lights of the hotel, I rested back and closed myself for a moment of peace. I don't know what tomorrow holds for me, but I  know one thing: I'm done letting others define me, or decide my fate. From now on, I'm writing my own story.

The city lights blur past the window, and I feel a smile spreading across my face. It's not a perfect ending, but it's a hell of a new beginning. And for now, that's more than enough.