"Stella's point of view,"
"Avery, my beloved P.A., you catch the evening flight to China." I called her number as I walked out of the building after my meeting.
"What? Your meeting was over so quickly." Her tone of voice conveyed obvious disbelief.
"What has so surprised you, Avery? The conference began last evening as soon as I arrived in China, and now that I am free after staying up all night to attend it, why are you asking me useless questions rather than asking about my condition?" I am feeling quite upset because I am already very weary from not sleeping all night yesterday.
"Stella, please remain calm. I fly into China this evening."
"Good girl," huh I exhaled deeply and let go of my stress.
Before I leave for my hotel, I should call Ethan one more time. I had just gotten the phone out of my handbag and was about to dial his number when my phone's battery unexpectedly died.
Oh crap, ever since I got on the plane yesterday, my phone has been in flight mode. Even when we were in the meeting, my phone was in flight mode. My phone died after I finished talking to Avery.
When I finally checked into the hotel, I went straight to sleep. It was the doorbell that jolted me out of a deep slumber.
"Stella, have you fallen asleep yet? We must attend the party." As she entered the room, Avery said,
"I'm sorry, Avery; I have no notion of the time; I'm too exhausted right now, and I'm sorry I couldn't come to pick you up at the airport."
"No issue, but why is your phone off?"
"My phone?" Oh no, I didn't turn on my phone.
"Mrs.woods, Wow, what a beautiful hotel room you have booked!" Looking around the room, Avery stated with a voice brimming with pleasure.
"Did you enjoy the space, sweetheart?" I couldn't help but smile as I witnessed her excitement.
"Mrs. Woods, if you stay with me in this honeymoon suit, the personnel at this hotel will undoubtedly mistake us for lesbians."
"Put an end to your nonsense." I flung a pillow at her from the bed.
"Okay, Mrs. Woods, let's quickly get ready because we're already running behind schedule." She seems to be getting more and more excited.
"Please stop referring to me as Mrs. Woods, Avery."
"Why? Are you not Ethan Woods' wife?" She asked, an eyebrow raised.
How can I tell her that every time she calls me Mrs. Woods, I think of Ethan's teasing? I don't want to think about him because his heart is already with someone else.
"Don't call me Mrs. Woods, Avery." I uttered it in a hushed tone.
"Okay, let's discuss this later. We need to get ready for the party."
"Party? Oh my goodness, did you forget that today is Mr. Chang's birthday party? I'm grateful that you called me to China today, as I would have missed the rich people's party otherwise."
"Why do you like going to parties so much, Avery? Don't you get sick of going out to clubs and parties?" I cast her an unflattering glance.
"No, I'm not a boring aunty like you; instead, I want to spend my youth with attractive men." She did a seductive shoulder-baring posture in front of me.
"You immediately change, and then we head to the party." Upon seeing her remarks and facial gestures, I burst out laughing.
I have no idea how fast my time with her goes by. Even when I was with Ethan, I had no idea how quickly time was passing me by.
Why, oh why, do I keep thinking about Ethan? His thoughts continue to trouble me. I've got a lot of issues with my subconscious. Why am I, despite not wanting to, thinking about Ethan Woods?
Should I call him? I switched on my phone and dialed him.
He didn't answer my call, though. He might be with his girlfriend if he doesn't answer my phone.
"Stella, you're going to wear this outfit today." As she spoke, she displayed a short, black dress with a metallic sheen."You are well aware, Avery, that I don't wear short dresses."
"Oh, please, stop being such a pig. You must follow my instructions because you came on vacation with me." Every time, I have to give up because of her obstinacy.
"No makeup, you are well aware, Avery, that I have no interest in wearing cosmetics."
"Stella, this isn't a Halloween party; it's a birthday party." I couldn't help but giggle when I heard her obnoxious tone.
"Please refrain from telling me that I must wear these high heels right now." I commented as my eyes landed on the pair of heels on the table.
"Wow, Stella, that is exactly what I intended to say to you—you are really intelligent." From her sly grin, I could tell she was determined to get her way no matter what.
There don't seem to be many differences between Ethan and Avery, in my opinion. Both have quite stout personalities.
Oh no, what's wrong with me that I keep returning to thinking about him?
"Stella, Mr. Chang's driver would be waiting for us at the hotel's main entrance."
"Hmm," I ignored the internal debate and concentrated on Avery's point.
"I've been anticipating you for a while, Miss Parker." As I entered the party hall, Mr. Chang's irate voice rang in my ear.
"Mr. Chang, Happy birthday." I gave him the bouquet I had brought.
"Thank you, Miss Parker. I'm delighted that you came to the party at my invitation." He gave me a hug and a cheek kiss.
He has no right to touch me in this way. I tightened my hand in rage.
Stella, behave yourself. You've come to his birthday celebration, not to cause a scene. By making me aware of my surroundings, my inner voice tries to restrain my rage.
However, he should learn a valuable lesson for inappropriately touching me and without asking first.
"Where is your husband?"
Oh, he's asking about Ethan.
How should I respond?
"Well, he has an event to attend, which is why he can't come to your birthday party, but he sends birthday greetings." The mention of Ethan Woods made me smile awkwardly. since I am also unsure of his whereabouts.
"Oh, good. I'll have the opportunity to spend the entire evening celebrating my birthday with this lovely lady." I became even more furious at his sly grin.
A tiny part of me wanted Ethan to be here so that he could protect me from this perverted man and his grating conversations. But why do I need his protection when I can protect myself? Unfortunately, Ethan's thoughts follow me around like a ghost. Internally, I rolled my eyes.
"Have a drink, Miss Parker." Mr. Chang extends a wine glass to me.
"I apologize; I don't drink."
"What? You are a woman who doesn't drink." He looked at me in surprise as I told him something very unusual.
Now that the situation has become intolerable, he deserves to learn a valuable lesson.
"I'll try wine at your request, Mr. Chang." I snatched his drink and poured the entire contents all over his white suit.
"What did you do?" He yelled.
"I apologize, Mr. Chang; I didn't mean to do this. I have no idea how the glass slipped my grasp." I put on a very innocent expression to give the impression that I didn't do this on purpose.
"Miss Parker, it's okay." He was completely persuaded by my innocence and took my apology in stride.
"Stella, you are too aggressive and unkind." Avery approached me and smiled.
"Yes, I am, but where you vanished when Mr. Chang irritated me." I asked her in a grumpy voice.
"Oh, sorry. I was preoccupied with finding a suitable mask so that we could dance on the floor." She gave me one of the face masks she was holding.
"What do you mean?"
"Stella, the face mask is part of the party theme."
"Oh," my eyes shifted to the other guests in the room, and I suddenly grasped her point.
"Therefore, let's dance." She begs me to join her on the dance floor.
"No, I can't. I'm not very good at dancing, you know." I was hesitant to enter the dance floor.
"Come on, you should at least give it a shot; you never know, you might discover your perfect dancing partner here."
She took my hand and dragged me out onto the dance floor.