Rose was working in a loud atmosphere when her manager sent her up to a VIP lounge to serve drinks to guests. It was unusual because she was a new waitress. Normally, only experienced people were allowed in the big rooms that were reserved especially for the elites.
Rose didn't give it much thought. She entered the room. Instantly, she heard several people chatting and laughing. When the door closed, eyes turned towards her.
Rose's breath hitched. There, in the middle of the curved couch, the two faces peered back at her.
Slyly, Mila smiled at her. Rose shifted in her spot uncomfortably. She was wearing a black masquerade mask but she could tell they still recognized her. Perhaps, getting called here was no coincidence either.
Rose looked towards Henry who sat beside Mila. His arm was draped over her shoulder casually. He had a smug look on his face as if telling Rose that she was a failure without him.
She refused to give him the satisfaction. Masking her initial nervousness, Rose strode to the table and placed the tray on it. The stench of alcohol filtered to her nostrils, making her shiver and stand straight.
" Rosie. " Mila gasped.
Rose's eyes widened under the mask. The subtle glances became harsh stares.
" Is she that thief? " One of the men in the corner asked.
" That bitch who tried to steal your book? " A woman's voice followed.
" So she is working in a place like this now? No wonder, she was desperate. "
Laughter spread in the air again. It was like sharp slaps over Rose's face.
She was not in the wrong. She never did anything bad to anyone in her life so why was she getting punished like this?
Rose straightened her trembling spine more and looked directly at Mila. " If this is all, I should take my leave. "
" Oh come on, Rosie, you were a friend once. I get you tried something bad with Mila but she doesn't hold a grudge against you. " Henry stood and approached Rose. " Come, sit with us. Let's clear the air and be friends again. We will forgive you. "
Those words were like poison in Rose's ears. They still acted high and mighty, without a hint of shame on their wicked faces.
Rose opened her mouth to refuse but Henry forcefully dragged her to the couch and shoved her down beside Mila. Instantly, he took his seat beside her to cage her body between them.
Anger surged forward but Rose had to swallow it down. She just got this job and she had bills to pay or else she would get evicted from her apartment by the landlady.
" Here. A toast to forgiveness. " Mila handed a glass of whiskey to Rose and sneakily, pulled the mask free from her face to reveal it.
Rose clenched her teeth and took the glass but didn't raise it like others.
" She is ungrateful. " Comments followed her move.
" What do you expect from a backstabbing cheater like her? "
" Shameless woman! "
" Shameless woman? " Rose had enough of them. The bills could go to hell. " What did I do to be called a shameless woman? "
Silence fell in the loud room. They looked at her as if she had grown two heads.
" It seems she doesn't want your forgiveness, after all, Mila. People like her think they are above others even when they wrong them. " A girl with blonde hair sneered.
" Of course, look at how shameless she is, still not admitting her crime! "
" Crime?! " Rose slammed the glance on the table and stood up. " You dare to call me a criminal? But that's not me. It was this woman right here who deceived me for years and stole my books. "
The brats shared looks before laughter boomed around Rose.
" You want us to believe that? "
" What proof do you have? "
" Proof? " A strange glint appeared in Rose's eyes. " I have messages with my ex-boyfriend Henry. He was the one who got the books from me and gave them to Mila! "
Rose unlocked her phone. She was done with them. She would not stand for this shame tonight.
Suddenly, her phone was snatched away by Henry. Mila stood on the other side and turned Rose to face her immediately.
" Rosie, Baby, you are not thinking right. " Mila blinked calmly. " I knew you were obsessed with Henry but you are crossing the line now. "
Rose was dumbfounded. She hurried to snap but a glass of whiskey was shoved down her throat by Mila forcefully.
Mila knew that Rose had low alcohol tolerance. That's why she had tried to make Rose drink earlier. Henry and Mila came up with an idea to control Rose.
Once Rose was dead drunk, they would get her to sleep with one of their friends and record everything. That way they could hold that video over Rose and make her do everything they wanted.
But who would have expected the usually quiet Rosie to be so aggressive and even try to fight back in this way?
After one glass, Rose swayed on her feet. She blinked several times and tried to regain her senses but the alcohol was working quickly.
On the other hand, Henry successfully deleted the messages and slipped Rose's phone in his pocket. After he was done, he signaled towards Rowan in the corner to come forth.
" Oh God, Mila. That's a bad girl move. Don't make your friend drink against her will. " Rowan came to the rescue as planned in front of the witnesses.
Mila and Henry's plan was perfect. They wanted the other righteous people in the room to witness that no upper-handed trick was played on Rose in case she tried to blame them later.
" Yes, Mila. Don't get Rose drunk. Let her go. If she doesn't regret her mistake yet, let her repent more, or else she might accuse you of something tomorrow. " Henry winked at Mila secretly.
They were truly disgusting people who knew how to get what they wanted in this competitive world. Rose had always been their scapegoat because she said she was an orphan and didn't have any friends to protect her.
Rowan quickly appeared by Rose's side who was trying her best to stand straight.
" Oh!!! Rowan has a crush on this cheater. " One of the girls cheered.
" You have a bad taste, Rowan. " Others didn't like his choice.
Getting into his role, Rowan touched Rose's waist softly and pulled her into his chest. " You don't know this but I know Rose from before. "
" How? " The blonde girl scoffed again.
" Actually— " Rowan ruffled his hair, feigning nervousness. " she is my girlfriend. "