The café was unusually quiet for a Monday morning, the usual rush of customers replaced by a steady trickle of regulars. Evie moved behind the counter with practiced ease, her hands automatically reaching for the coffee grinder as she prepared for the day ahead. But her mind was elsewhere, still weighed down by the events of the previous night. Her mother's health, Lily's tuition, the mounting bills—it all felt like a storm brewing on the horizon, ready to sweep her away.
"Evie, you've got that look again," Mia said, leaning against the counter with a knowing smile. "What's going on in that head of yours?"
Evie forced a smile, though it didn't reach her eyes. "Just thinking about… everything."
Mia's expression softened, and she reached out to squeeze Evie's arm. "You're carrying the world on your shoulders, you know that? You need to give yourself a break."
"I don't have that luxury," Evie said, her voice tight. She turned back to the coffee machine, her hands moving mechanically as she poured a fresh cup for a waiting customer.
Mia watched her for a moment, then sighed. "Listen, I know it's not much, but I heard about a gig that might help. It's a high-end event tonight—they're looking for waitstaff, and the pay is insane. Like, triple what you make here."
Evie's hands stilled, and she turned to face Mia, her heart skipping a beat. "Triple?"
Mia nodded. "Yeah. It's at some fancy hotel downtown. Black-tie affair. I know it's not your usual thing, but… it could help."
Evie's mind raced, the numbers already adding up in her head. If she could make that much in one night, it would cover at least a portion of her mother's medical bills. It wasn't a solution, but it was a start.
"Do you think they'd hire me?" Evie asked, her voice hesitant.
Mia grinned. "Are you kidding? You're the most hardworking person I know. Just… maybe don't mention the part where you spilled coffee on Mr. Henderson last week."
Evie laughed, the sound surprising even herself. "Thanks, Mia. I'll think about it."
But as the day wore on, Evie found herself unable to shake the idea. The thought of working at a high-end event was intimidating—she had never been comfortable in those kinds of settings, surrounded by people who seemed to exist in a world far removed from her own. But the money… it was too good to pass up.
By the time her shift ended, Evie had made up her mind. She would take the gig. It was a risk, but she was out of options.
That evening, Evie stood in front of her closet, staring at the meager selection of clothes. She didn't own anything remotely appropriate for a black-tie event, but she couldn't afford to buy something new. Finally, she settled on a simple black dress she had worn to her father's funeral years ago. It was plain, but it would have to do.
As she slipped into the dress and fastened her hair into a neat bun, Evie caught a glimpse of herself in the mirror. She looked tired, the shadows under her eyes a testament to the sleepless nights and endless worries. But there was a determination in her gaze, a quiet resolve that hadn't been there before. She was doing this for her family, and that thought gave her the strength to keep going.
The event was being held at the Grand Horizon Hotel, a towering building of glass and steel that seemed to gleam under the city lights. Evie's stomach churned as she stepped inside, the opulence of the lobby overwhelming her senses. Crystal chandeliers hung from the ceiling, their light reflecting off the polished marble floors. The air was thick with the scent of expensive perfume and the murmur of voices.
Evie checked in with the event coordinator, a stern-looking woman with a clipboard and a no-nonsense attitude. She was handed a tray and given a quick rundown of her duties—serve champagne, keep the guests happy, and don't mess up.
As she made her way through the crowd, Evie felt out of place, like a fish out of water. The guests were dressed in designer gowns and tailored suits, their laughter and conversation a stark contrast to her own quiet demeanor. She kept her head down, focusing on her task, but her nerves were on edge.
And then, she saw her.
Sophia Harrington, a former classmate from Evie's private school days, stood a few feet away, her arm linked with a man in a tuxedo. Sophia had always been the queen bee, the kind of girl who thrived on attention and looked down on anyone she deemed beneath her. Evie hadn't seen her in years, but the sight of her now sent a wave of dread through her.
Sophia's eyes narrowed as they landed on Evie, and a sly smile spread across her face. "Well, well, if it isn't Evie Lane," she said, her voice dripping with mockery. "I almost didn't recognize you. What are you doing here? Slumming it with the help?"
Evie's cheeks burned, but she forced herself to keep her composure. "I'm working," she said, her voice steady despite the knot of humiliation tightening in her chest.
Sophia laughed, a high, tinkling sound that grated on Evie's nerves. "Working? How quaint. I heard about your father, you know. Such a shame. But I suppose this is what happens when you fall from grace, isn't it?"
Evie's hands tightened around the tray, her knuckles turning white. She wanted to say something, to defend herself, but the words stuck in her throat. Instead, she turned away, her heart pounding as she tried to escape Sophia's mocking gaze.
But Sophia wasn't done. "Oh, don't run away, Evie," she called after her. "It's so rare to see you these days. We should catch up. Maybe I can give you some tips on how to climb back up the social ladder."
Evie kept walking, her head held high despite the tears stinging her eyes. She wouldn't give Sophia the satisfaction of seeing her break. But the encounter left her shaken, the weight of her situation pressing down on her more heavily than ever.