The noise of voices filled the grand hall as I walked in, looking for familiar faces in the crowd.
I adjusted my dress nervously, feeling the weight of every look directed my way.
It was my first time at an event of this level, and though I had prepared myself for a formal night, I had not expected the heavy tension going through the air.
Just as I was beginning to relax, a voice behind her made me tensed up. "Well, well… look who decided to show up here."
I turned around, tried to force a polite smile as Vivian approached me, followed by Emilia, whose fake smile was already fixed in place.
"Vivian, Emilia," I greeted them, my voice was steady.
Vivian was moving her head, giving me a scanning look. "That is a lovely dress. Is it… borrowed?"
Her words was kind of patronizing , her eyes was on my outfit with a dangerous smile.
I kept my smile, despite the burn in my cheeks. "Thank you, Vivian. I bought it myself."
Emilia let out a low, mocking laughter. "Oh, I am sure it was a choice, that is all right. But I must say, it takes real… courage to attend events like this. Not everyone has the background for this kind of event."
My fingers tightened around my hand. "I am here for work, just like everyone else," I replied very calmly.
Vivian continued, lowering my voice just enough for me only to hear. "Oh, we know why you are here. It is not your 'work' that is caught everyone's attention. People have been… talking."
I looked between the both of them, refusing to give up. "Talking? About what exactly?"
Vivian's eyes sparkled small. "Oh, come on, don't play innocent. You know how Elias has been spending time with you. People are starting to wonder if you are… trying to secure yourself a place. Quite ambitious, I will say."
Emilia joined her with a mocking smile. "It must be hard. But from what I have heard, you have never been to an event like this before. I am sure it's… intimidating, trying to fit in with people you had never cross paths with normally before."
I took a very deep breath, trying to make myself steady. "I am here to do my job, just like everyone else."
Vivian let out a loud laugh enough to draw some curious eyes from nearby visitors. "A job? Is that what you are calling it?"
She moved her head, addressing the people who were now looking at us. "Oh, you all have not heard, or have you? Lena here is Elias's new assistant. Obviously, he has a soft spot for charity cases like hers."
Laughter moved through the small crowd that had gathered, and I felt some heat on my face.
I forced myself to stand very tall, refusing to show any sign of weakness at all.
Vivian was not finished, she said. "I think it is so common that people like Lena have their… strategies. But I will be very careful if I were you."
She added, her voice filled with false sweetness. "People might start to get the wrong idea. It is easy to mistake… ambition for something else entirely."
My eyes met Vivian's gaze, my voice was steady. "I know why I am here. I don't need anyone's approval."
Emilia crossed her arms, smiling. "So much confidence. But remember, confidence can only take you so far. It is connections that really matters here."
Vivian gave a wicked smile, her voice was cold. "And let's face it, you are out of your level now. The only reason anyone tolerates you is because Elias has a soft spot for you. But don't think for a second that will make you one of us. You are an outsider, Lena. Nothing more."
I took a deep breath, the words hitting but at the same time strengthening me.
I knew what they were trying to do, they were trying to break my confidence, make me doubt myself.
But if anything, it only made me more determined to really prove them wrong.
I met Vivian's eyes with a quiet courage. "It is funny… I may be an outsider, but I am not the one who is insecure enough to fall others down just to feel more powerful."
The small crowd around them was very silent all of a sudden, and Vivian's eyes narrowed, her wicked smile reduced for a moment.
But she quickly regained her composure, letting out a forced laugh.
"Oh, please," Vivian said, trying to ignore my words. "Don't try to change this around. I am just giving you a… reality check. Some people need to know their place, asin where they truly belong."
I kept my eyes steady, refusing to let Vivian's words shake me. "Thank you for your advice, Vivian. I will keep it in mind."
I turned to walk away, but Vivian's voice stopped me. "Just remember."
She called after me, loud enough for people to hear, "People like you don't last long here. Elias might like you now, but that won't last long. At last, he will see right through you and when he does… well, let's just say you will be back where you started."
I held my hands tightly, forcing myself to walk away without looking back.
I could feel the heavy weight of their laughter when I was leaving, the whispers that followed me as I moved through the crowd.
As I stepped outside to get a breath of fresh air, my phone rang in my hand.
It was a message from my mother's doctor, a reminder of how much I still needed Mr. Langston's support.
I closed my eyes, feeling the heavy burden of my secret weighing on my heart.
But Vivian's words echoed in my mind, a painful reminder of her pretense position.
My resolve was hardened. I could not let them get to me, I had a lot of job to do, and I would not let anyone push me out.
As I turned to head back inside, I saw Elias watching me from a distance, his eyes was unreadable.
My heart skipped a beat, the feeling of emerged judgment settling in me chest. Did he hear everything?
For a brief moment, Our eyes met, and I couldn't tell if he was disappointed or interested.
All what I knew was that whatever had just started, it was far from over.