Chapter 1: An ex's wedding
The sun was shining brightly through the huge windows of the penthouse. For most people, it was a beautiful morning. For Maeve Williams, it wasn't. She groaned and pulled her expensive silk blanket over her head. She wanted to stay in bed all day, but someone was knocking on her door.
Knock. Knock. Knock.
"Ma’am? Miss Williams?" a voice called out. it was Sarah, the new maid.
Maeve didn't move. She hoped the girl would just go away. But the knocking continued.
"Miss Williams, your father called. He said you have to be ready for the wedding in one hour."
Maeve sat up so fast that her long hair flew everywhere. She looked very angry. "Did I tell you to speak?" she snapped. Her voice was sharp. "My head hurts, and your voice is making it worse. Go away!"
"I’m sorry, Ma’am," Sarah said, her voice shaking. "But the wedding starts soon."
"I don't care about the wedding!" Maeve shouted. She rubbed her temples. "Go start my bath. Make sure the water is the perfect temperature. If it is too hot or too cold, you are fired. Do you understand?"
The maid nodded quickly and ran into the bathroom. Maeve reached for her phone. It was covered in messages. Most of them were from Penial, her best friend. Suddenly, the phone started ringing. It was a video call from Penial.
Maeve answered it. Penial’s face appeared on the screen. "Maeve! Why are you still in bed? The wedding starts in fifteen minutes!"
Maeve looked at the camera and yawned. "Relax, Pen. I just woke up. Don't scream, it's too early for noise."
"It is almost 11:00 AM!" Penial shouted.
"This is Liam’s wedding. Everyone is waiting to see if you show up. If you are late, people will think you are crying because he is marrying someone else."
Maeve laughed. It was a cold, mean laugh. "Crying over Liam? Please. I have better things to do. I’ll be there when I’m ready. A queen is never late; everyone else is just early."
Maeve hung up the phone. She spent the next hour being very difficult. She yelled at the maid because the towels weren't soft enough. She complained that her coffee was too bitter. She acted like a spoiled brat because that is exactly what she was.
By the time she was ready, she looked amazing. She wore a white, long-sleeved dress that was very short. It showed off her long, beautiful legs. She put on high-heeled boots and a lot of expensive jewelry. She looked into the mirror and smiled. She didn't look like a girl who lost her boyfriend. She looked like a girl who owned the world.
At the wedding estate, the guests were sitting quietly. The ceremony was just finishing. Suddenly, a loud noise broke the silence. It was the roar of a fast car.
Maeve’s white Lamborghini flew into the parking lot. She drove fast and stopped perfectly in the VIP spot. She didn't wait for anyone to help her. She opened the door and stepped out. Her heels made a loud click-click sound on the ground. She threw her car keys to the valet without even looking at him.
The wedding ceremony was over, and people were walking toward the party area. Everyone stopped and stared at Maeve.
"Is that Maeve Williams?" someone whispered.
"She is wearing white to a wedding! How rude," another woman said.
Maeve ignored them. She walked like she was on a fashion runway. She found the table where Penial was sitting and sat down. She crossed her legs and looked around with a bored face.
"You missed the vows," Penial whispered. "They are officially married now."
Maeve signaled a waiter to come over. "Good," she said. She took a glass of wine from the waiter's tray. "I have heard Liam tell lies before. I didn't need to hear him do it again today."
"You are so mean," Penial laughed.
"I am just honest, Pen," Maeve replied. "Look at this wedding. The flowers look cheap, the music is boring, and the bride's dress is ugly. I am the best thing to look at in this room."
Later in the evening, the music was playing loudly. Maeve was sitting at her table, looking at her phone. She didn't talk to anyone. She acted like she was too good for the party.
Suddenly, a shadow fell over her. She looked up. It was Liam, her ex-boyfriend. He was wearing a fancy suit and had a smug smile on his face. He thought he was better than Maeve.
"Maeve," he said. He sounded like he felt sorry for her. "I didn't think you would come. I told my new wife that you would probably be too sad to show up."
Maeve didn't stand up. She stayed in her chair and took a sip of her wine. She looked at him like he was a piece of trash on the street.
"Sad?" she asked. She let out a loud, clear laugh. "Liam, you have a very big ego. I didn't come here because I am sad. I came here to see the comedy show."
Liam’s smile disappeared. "You are just acting. I know you are still single. I know you miss me. You came here because you wanted me to see you and feel bad."
Maeve stood up slowly. She was shorter than him, but she looked much more powerful.
"Listen to me, Liam," Maeve said. Her voice was very calm and very cold. "I am Maeve Williams. I am the daughter of a billionaire. I am beautiful, I am rich, and I am smart. You think I am single because no one wants me? No. I am single because I haven't found a man who is worth my time."
She stepped closer to him. Liam looked nervous now.
"I left you because you were boring," Maeve continued. "I left you because you were not good enough for me. Look at your wedding. It is small and cheap. Look at your bride. She looks like she is wearing a curtain. I didn't lose you, Liam. You lost me. And you will spend the rest of your life realizing that."
Liam tried to say something, but Maeve didn't let him.
"Now, move out of my way," she said. "You are blocking the air. I am going to a real party now."
She turned to Penial. "Come on, Pen. This place is boring. Let's go."
She didn't look back at Liam once. She got into her expensive car and drove away, leaving her ex-boyfriend standing there feeling very stupid.