Chapter Two
Alana
The rest of the night is hectic. People continue to act like jackasses, but there is only an hour left. I have never been so eager to leave somewhere. I have managed to avoid Ezra and Bella, for the most part. I did catch Ezra staring at me a couple of times. I don’t know what his game is.
As for Colin, he talked shit! I am still on champagne duty, even though he said I wouldn’t be after dinner. I can get through another hour!
I take my time walking around, concentrating on what I am doing. The next thing I know, someone barges into me and pushes me over. I lose my balance and fall. The tray of champagne hits the floor with a clatter and most the glasses smash. I hear a laugh. When I look up, I see Bella standing there with a couple of her friends, and they’re all laughing at me. In fact, all eyes are on me, some people are laughing, and others are shaking their heads in disgust.
“You did that on purpose, you bitch,” I hiss, not holding back.
“You belong down there. Maybe you should be more careful and watch where you are going,” she replies smugly before walking off.
I can feel tears well in my eyes, but I fight them back because I refuse to let that snooty fucking bitch get to me. If I get fired because of her, she better watch her damn back. I start to gather some of the glass off the floor and place it on the tray, while trying to ignore the prying eyes. I pick a large piece up and grab it the wrong way, slicing my hand open. I hiss in pain as blood pours out of it.
“Alana!” Colin’s angry voice hisses from behind me. Great, he is the last person I want to see. He appears in front of me. “I warned you. How the hell did this happen?” he barks.
He’s going to lecture me in front of everyone, which I find very unprofessional and humiliating. He could have waited until we were alone, but with Colin being Colin, I am not surprised. I feel some stray tears roll down my cheeks.
“It was an accident, which wasn’t her fault. Back the hell off her.” Ezra comes into view by my side. I see anger take over Colin’s face, only this time it isn’t aimed at me. He’s due to lose his shit again, but when he realises who is talking to him, his entire demeanour changes.
“Sorry, sir, for the commotion, but she needs to be careful,” Colin says, almost fearful.
“And as I mentioned, it wasn’t her fault. One of the guests purposely barged into her, so do not take it out on her,” Ezra replies firmly, shaking his head.
I continue to pick up the glass, too embarrassed to look up. Ezra kneels in front of me, taking hold of my wrist. I lift my head, coming face to face with him once again.
“Stop. You are going to hurt yourself,” his voice is gentle, then his eyes fall on my cut hand. “You already have hurt yourself!” he says with exasperation.
“I am okay. It is only a scratch,” I brush it off.
“No, it looks deep,” he replies. “Get someone to come clean this up,” he adds, glaring at Colin.
Colin scurries off, doing what he’s told. Ezra helps me to my feet. “Let me clean up your hand. I am not asking, so don’t try to argue with me about it.” There is an authority to his tone, one that causes me to shudder and makes me want to do what he tells me. I nod my head.
He doesn’t seem fazed by everyone watching. He rests his hand on my lower back, causing me to shiver, and leads me away from the crowd. We pass by Bella and her friends, who still look amused by what happened. “That was uncalled for, Bella, and you know it,” he snarls.
“Ezra, I can take care of it myself. It isn’t your place to help me.” I am sure he has better things to do. Plus, I am embarrassed enough, never mind having him clean up my bloody hand.
“I insist.”
He leads us into a room away from everything and everyone else. It seems to be an office.
I keep my mouth shut—no point in arguing because he will not listen. His girlfriend is not going to be happy that he is helping me. I don’t understand what her issue is with me. She doesn’t even know me. If it’s all because I didn’t get her a drink, then she needs to grow up and get a damn grip on reality. She is probably used to getting what she wants, like everyone else here. I wish my problems were that small and pointless.
I dread when Colin gets me alone. There is a high chance he will fire me after what happened, even though it wasn’t my fault.