Ash’s POV
I checked the ti on my phone.
7:36 p.m.
My chest dropped.
"No...no, no," I muttered, already backing away. "I’m late. I really have to go."
June was still holding her dad’s hand. Her eyes were red, but she smiled anyway.
"Text when you get back," she said.
"I will." I nodded, then glanced at her dad. "Thank you for coming today, sir."
He smiled warmly. "You’re a good friend to her. My regards to baby Alia."
Her dad smiled at . That warm, proud smile that made my throat tighten.
"Take care of yourself," he said.
I nodded, and waved.
I ran out of the school building, flagged down a cab, and climbed in.
The city blurred past the window as the driver sped through traffic.
My head was pounding. My chest felt tight.
Get it together, I told myself.
The cab stopped in front of a quiet villa.
No music.
I paid the driver, slung my bag over my shoulder, and walked in.
Sam and two others were already there, adjusting their shirts.
"You’re cutting it close," Sam said, checking his watch. "Rich family. Private event."
I pulled on my white shirt, my fingers trembled slightly as I buttoned it up.
"What kind of event?" I asked.
"Family dinner, I think," soone said casually. "Big deal family."
"Did you eat?" one of the guys asked, tugging on his cufflinks.
I shook my head. "No ti."
"Rookie mistake," he said. "Never serve rich people on an empty stomach. They can sll weakness."
Sam snorted. "Ignore him. Just don’t spill anything."
I forced a small smile. "I won’t."
My hands said otherwise.
My stomach twisted, but I brushed it off.
"So Ash," Sam said, straightening his tie, "you’re serving tonight. Mr. Sun couldn’t make it. Left in charge."
"Okay." I nodded.
"Let’s just get this over with," Sam added.
I grabbed a tray of wine glasses, adjusted my tie, and followed them inside.
The room was warm, elegant.
Soft laughter filled the air. I bowed slightly as I entered, lowered my eyes like I’d been trained.
"So," a man started talking, "when do you think the engagent ceremony should be set?"
I froze.
That voice.
I lifted my head instinctively.
And there they were.
Dominic’s parents. And beside them.....his fiancée, sitting stiff and perfect, beside her family.
They were talking about his engagent.
My fake went pale.
Then Dominic looked up.
Our eyes t.
His eyes widened, like he didn’t expect to see a ghost.
I broke eye contact imdiately, pretending I hadn’t seen him, and moved forward to pour the wine.
My hands were shaking.
"How about next weekend?" Dominic’s dad said calmly.
My grip slipped.
Red wine spilled across the white tablecloth.
"Oh..."
The glass slipped from my fingers, and shattered on the floor.
"I’m so sorry," I blurted out, dropping to my knees eyes.
I reached for the shards.
I winced in pain, jerking my hand back.
I started bleeding.
"Hey!"
I looked up.
Dominic was already on his feet.
"Don’t.." I said quickly, bowing my head. "It’s okay, sir. I’ve got it."
"Are you hurt?" he asked, kneeling beside anyway. He didn’t care others were looking at us.
Our hands brushed.
I pulled away imdiately, standing too fast.
"I’m fine," I said, forcing my voice to stay steady. "I’ll clean this up."
I turned and walked out before my legs could give up on .
Behind , I heard soone say softly, "Your son is a good man. He rushed to help a stranger without thinking twice. That’s rare."
Yeah, stranger indeed.
Sam rushed over. "Ash, are you serious right now?"
"I’m sorry," I said again. "I’ll clean it."
"Just be careful," he shook his head. "These people don’t like mistakes."
I swallowed hard and pushed into the restroom.
The door shut behind .
I gripped the sink, breathing hard.
Engaged.
The word echoed over and over.
I turned on the tap and held my bleeding finger under the water, watching the red swirl down the drain.
Then the door opened.
"I thought you left," Dominic said quietly.
I turned slowly.
He stood a few feet away, shoved his hands into his pockets, looking to calm for the chaos in my head.
"I work here," I replied flatly. "You shouldn’t be back here."
"I know," he said. "I just... saw your hand."
"It’s fine."
"It’s bleeding."
Silence stretched between us.
"You shouldn’t be serving tonight," he said finally.
I laughed, bitterly. "And you shouldn’t be getting engaged."
The words slipped out before I could stop them.
His face fell.
"I didn’t plan for you to find out like this."
I scoffed, turning back to the sink. "You didn’t plan to ghost either. Or disappear."
"I..." He stopped. "Ash, it’s complicated."
"You always say that," I said softly. "But it never seems complicated when I’m the one getting hurt."
He stepped closer. "I never wanted to hurt you."
"Well, congratulations," I whispered. "You succeeded."
My phone buzzed in my pocket.
I didn’t check it.
"I should go," I said. "They’ll be wondering where their server ran off to."
"Ash!"
"I hope it’s everything you wanted," I said quietly.
I grabbed a paper towel, wrapped my finger, and walked past him.
After work, I changed out of my uniform and stepped outside.
I scanned the driveway, the entrance, the street, anywhere he might be.
Dominic was nowhere.
I let out a slow breath.
I hope he’s okay.
It wasn’t that I hated him.
I just couldn’t carry this anymore....this pressure, this secrecy, this ache, without losing myself completely.
"Get that bandaged," Sam said as I climbed into the cab. He waved lazily. "You don’t want it getting infected."
"I will," I muttered.
The cab pulled away.
I was dosing off in the cab, when my phone started ringing.
I frowned. Who would be calling this late?
I answered without looking.
"Hello?"
"Is this Ash Rivera?" a woman asked.
"Yes?" My stomach tightened.
"I’m calling from Estrella General Hospital."
Everything in went still.
My chest felt tight.
"It’s about your mother... Indiana Rivera."
My fingers started to shake. I gripped the phone harder.
"Yes," I said quickly. "Yes....what about her? Is she okay? Please tell she’s okay."
There was a pause. Just a second. But it felt endless.
"She’s awake."
I gasped.
"...What?"
"She regained consciousness," the woman said, sounding cheerful. "You can co to the hospital when you’re able."
"She’s....she’s awake?" I asked again, like I needed to hear it twice for it to be real.
"Yes."
"I’m coming," I said imdiately. "I’m coming right now."
I sat up so fast the driver glanced at through the mirror.
"My mom’s awake," I blurted out. "She’s awake."
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