Chapter 2 Dilemma
1085 Words
'Misunderstanding?'
I curled my lip sarcastically and played him the video my friend had taken of the proposal last night. In the video, he was gazing at me affectionately as we kissed in the ballroom.
Benjamin glanced at me impatiently. "I told you I drank too much last night. How can you take something I did when I wasn't sober seriously? Ava, it's not your first day working as a hostess. Haven't you ever seen so much drama in a drinking party?"
Still unconvinced, I tugged at his sleeve, persisting with my question, "So you've never thought of marrying me, right?"
Benjamin sneered, looking at me with disdain. "Ava, it's important to be self-aware. You're just a ballroom hostess. How could I possibly marry you?" He tightened his grip on Emma's hand. "There's only one person worthy of being my wife, and that's her."
Emma looked at me smugly, her eyes filled with pity. "Sis, haven't you heard the saying, 'There's no true love in a party'?"
My face paled, but I stubbornly held back my tears. I pulled off the ring on my finger, thrust it into Benjamin's hand, and ran off. Emma's mocking laughter followed me.
I ran until I was breathless, stopping only when I was surrounded by unfamiliar streets. Tears streamed down my face, blurring my vision.
It turned out that what I always thought was a two-way relationship was nothing more than a farce. He had never taken me seriously.
His past gentleness, his laughter with me, his protectiveness—it was all just an act.
My heart ached, and I couldn't help but squat down at the base of a wall, sobbing uncontrollably.
Suddenly, a tissue was offered to me. I looked up with a glimmer of hope, only to have my heart sink when I saw who it was.
It wasn't Benjamin. It was a young man I didn't know.
"Thank you," I mumbled, taking the tissue and wiping my tears.
"I don't know who you were hoping to see when you looked up, but if it's the man who made you cry so miserably, I suggest you forget about him." With that, the man turned and left.
I pondered his words as I wiped my tears and stood up. He was right. Life had to go on, no matter what. As for Benjamin, it was time for me to let him go.
That night, when I showed up at the ballroom as usual, everyone looked at me strangely.
"Ava, didn't you agree to Mr. Taylor's proposal last night? Why are you still here?" My friend pulled me aside and asked in a low voice.
"We were just messing around. It was Valentine's Day, after all. The customer had a need, so I played along," I said lightly.
"Oh. So that's how it is. That's such a shame. Mr. Taylor is a financial talent. If you were really with him, you wouldn't have to work so hard every day, drinking with customers," my friend said with regret.
I patted her head and whispered, "What are you thinking? He's from the elite class. How could he possibly fall for a hostess like me?"
I seemed to be convincing her, but in reality, I was trying to convince myself.
As we were talking, a commotion erupted outside. The ballroom manager walked over, his face beaming. "Why are you all still here? Come out, everyone! Mr. Taylor is treating everyone to free drinks in the hall!"
"Drinks? I'll pass. I've had enough to drink. I have a stomachache today," I said softly, about to duck into an empty private room to avoid the scene.
"No, Ava, you have to come." Benjamin strode over and grabbed my arm insistently.
The ballroom manager and my friend tactfully excused themselves. I looked at him impassively. "What can I do for you, Mr. Taylor?"
Benjamin lowered his voice and said quickly, "Emma found out you work at this ballroom and insisted on coming. I'll clear up what happened last night later. Just do me a favor and play along, okay?"
I looked at his handsome face, my heart aching. 'Just to please his fiancée, he is going to reopen my wounds and rub salt in them.'
Seeing my silence, Benjamin frowned. "Ava, I've been your patron for so long and spent so much money on you. Can't you even do me this small favor?"
I gave a bitter smile and walked past him. "Fine! This is the last time I'm helping you. Don't do anything foolish like this again."
So, in his mind, I was nothing more than a hostess and a customer to him, from beginning to end.
Emma, upon seeing me, walked over with a triumphant smile and linked her arm through mine, leading me onto the stage. I tried to pull away, but Benjamin shook his head from the side and followed us onto the stage.
"Everyone," Benjamin cleared his throat and said, "I was drunk and made a fool of myself last night, pulling Ava along and misleading everyone. I'm here to apologize. Tonight, all drinks are on me!"
The ballroom erupted in cheers and whistles.
"And while we're at it, I'd like to formally introduce you all to my fiancée!" He took Emma's hand and showed her off to the crowd.
Standing on the stage, bathed in the spotlight, they looked like a perfect couple.
I chuckled self-deprecatingly and couldn't help but take a step back.
Of course. With a wealthy heiress like Emma as his fiancée, how could Benjamin possibly fall for a mere hostess like me?
But Emma wasn't done with me yet. After basking in the admiring gazes of the crowd, she pulled me to the front. "It's just a pity that this lady took it seriously. Benjamin broke her heart. As a token of apology, I'd like to toast you!"
She smiled sweetly, picked up a bottle of champagne, shook it vigorously, and pointed it at me.
I was drenched from head to toe in champagne, my makeup ruined.
"You!" I pointed at her angrily, about to lash out.
But Benjamin stopped me and whispered, "Just bear with it. Let her vent."
Seeing my disheveled state, Emma finally feigned innocence, covering her mouth. "Oh, I'm so sorry. I shouldn't have sprayed you with champagne. Come on, you're already wet. Let's have another glass!"
She maliciously poured the entire glass of champagne over my head. "Anyway, you hostesses are probably used to being toyed with by customers."
- Writer
