Serving The Guest

“It's never my fault that you're so unfortunate!”

Those fierce words echoed in my ears. But why did she always have to remind me of how unfortunate I was? Why can't I be happy for just a second?

Today was supposed to be my wedding day, the happiest day of my life, but Lucas had already cheated. I can't stoop so low to get married to him, not after the painful betrayal. I had known better than to expect him to marry me either. I had to come to terms with the fact that the perfect life with Lucas, as I had previously envisioned, was a just farfetched fantasy.

My parents had forced me to be here today to serve their guests. From the look of things, I can tell they had another secret plan for me. The hushed voices with which they and Lisa spoke and condescending looks on their faces attested to that. But what could it be? And What could I do about it?

The guests were already trooping in, clad in their festive attires, all joyful and chatty. The hall was intricately decorated with balloons and ribbons of various hues. The magnificent diamond chandelier that hung low glowed brightly and gave the hall a grand feel.

“Come here, you stupid thing!” A savage feminine voice amidst the crowd called out to me.

Without scanning through the crowd, I already knew who it was; the demon that was sent to torment my world.

Before I could make words in my mind, I found the most dreaded person standing right in front of me. Rosalie landed a deafening slap across my cheek that silenced the entire hall. I froze on the spot and lowered my gaze in shame.

“You should be serving our guests and here you are, lazing about, you spoiled brat!” Rosalie spat the second time and spanked my face.

“I…I’m sorry mum,” I faltered on my words, my knees wobbly like jelly.

“Don't you ever call me that, you miserable fellow! I'm not your mum and would never be!” Rosalie berated, in a ferocious tone.

My heart sank as those words pierced deep into it. Yes, she is my stepmother, but she is also my mum for now. Why did she detest me so much?

“I'm sorry ma. It won't happen again,” I pleaded.

“It had better not happen, else I'd skin you alive and show you how much of a godforsaken stepdaughter you are! Now go get the dishes served to the guests immediately!” She ordered and walked away briskly.

I hurriedly rushed to where the caterers stood and joined in their work. I worked so diligently, to avoid being scolded or thrashed by my Stepmom.

My jaws dropped when it was announced that Derek should kiss the bride. I watched keenly in despair, as the love of my life hungrily devoured the lips of my stepsister in the presence of the guests. Torrents of hatred and of fury burned within me.

After a while, I all of a sudden became the centre of attention. Most of the chitchats in the hall were either about how nice and gentle I was, or how pretty I was.

I had served my last guest of the day and was about to leave, when I felt a strange hand grip mine suddenly. I felt dominated by his gentle touch and froze at the door.

“Don't you think you should have a drink with me?” His baritone voice sent shivers down my spines.

My gaze travelled to the young man that held my hand. He was in a black Armani suit that reeked of nothing but opulence. His cologne immediately seized my nostrils and registered in my senses.

“I…I'm sorry, I don't collect drinks from strangers,” I waved him off, and tried releasing my hand from his now tightened grip.

“Oh you can have this then, since you don't drink stranger's drinks!” A familiar voice sounded from behind, making me twist my head to see who it was that interrupted our conversation.

It was none other than Lisa, my now ex fiance's new wife. She held out a glass of champagne and handed it over to me with an obviously feigned smile.

“You can have this then!”

I stared at her first, in both confusion and contempt and then back to the gentleman, who now thumped at my fingers. His face appeared convincing.

“C'mon, she's your sister! You should have that!” He urged, with a beautiful smile, a smile that revealed the perfection in his dentition.

“Okay fine,” I shrugged and collected the glass of wine from Lisa's hand slowly, still wondering what she might be up to with such an act of generosity she had never displayed to me all these years.

Lisa walked away in a confident gait and with a satisfied grin on her face. I couldn't make out why she should be so cheerful just because I had accepted a drink from her. Could it be that she had other plans?

The handsome young man offered me a seat at his table. I sat reluctantly and hesitated to take a sip of my wine for a moment until he asked me to.

“Won't you like to drink yours?” He asked, staring intently at my face.

“Oh I will,” I smiled and took a sip, to please this hot stranger.

“My apologies, I'm Liam and it's a pleasure to meet you,” he said with a smile on his tender face, stretching out his hand for a handshake.

“I'm Evelyn. Nice to meet you too!” I shook hands with him, a handshake that was a little too lingering.

“So tell me more about yourself,” Liam asked, peering eagerly into my face.

“Oh okay, I am the first daughter of the Petersons and I…” I began, looking away for a moment.

I could spot Lisa and her mum discussing in hushed voices that brooded nothing but ill, while casting sinister glares at me.

Soon my eyes grew weary of looking and my vision began blackening out. My limbs grew weak and wobbly when I stood up after a long discussion with the hot stranger and I almost tripped off on my high stiletto heels. Liam held me in place, just in time and led me out of the hall into his car.

It was all I could remember when I woke up scantily clad and in a strange exquisite room, caged in an unfamiliar man's embrace.