"23:40." The clock chimed.
As if on cue, Daniel Ooman rose from his seat, adjusting the cuffs of his dark designer suit. With a brief nod to his business partners, he quietly excused himself and walked out.
The gala was still alive with music, laughter, and the clinking of champagne glasses, but as he moved, attention slowly shifted. Eyes followed him. Whispers floated like a ripple through still water.
"He's leaving again..."
"Not even midnight. Just like always."
"So strange. Why does he never stay past twelve?"
"I thought it was just a rumor, but he really left again."
"I told you he turns into a beast at midnight."
Jade stood near the back of the ballroom, an empty tray in her hands, her brows furrowed as she watched him.
There was something... off. Unsettling. The way he walked calm, calculated almost like a man carrying a secret no one was allowed to know.
He didn't look back. Not once.
And then, just like that… he was gone.
.
.
.
The sun filtered softly through the thin curtains as Jade slowly stirred awake. Her muscles ached from the long night in heels, and her head still buzzed with snippets of conversations, music, and the shimmering clink of champagne glasses.
From the kitchen, the scent of fried plantains and eggs filled the air.
"Jade! Breakfast is ready!" her mother called out.
"I'm coming!" she yawned, dragging herself out of bed and into the small kitchen.
Her mother was already serving two plates when Jade slumped into the chair. "So? How was the gala?"
Jade rolled her eyes. "A bunch of snobs in shiny suits pretending to save the world while sipping wine older than my entire existence."
Her mother chuckled. "So, nothing special?"
"Just the usual rich people nonsense. Classical music, fake smiles, more forks than anyone needs on a table..." she paused, her expression changing slightly.
Her gaze drifted, unfocused for a moment. "...Daniel."
She blinked and shook her head quickly. Why was *he* still lingering in her thoughts?
"I'll probably never see him again anyway," she muttered, brushing it off.
Then she reached into her bag and pulled out the envelope of money she was paid.
"Here. This is what I earned."
Her mother's eyes widened as she opened it.
"This... this is a lot, Jade. Are you sure this is just for one night?"
Jade nodded with a soft smile.
"I told you, this gala was worth it."
Her mother looked up, eyes glossy with emotion.
"I thank God every day for putting Gabriel in our path. That boy is a blessing."
"Yeah," Jade nodded. "He really is."
Gabriel wasn't rich, but he wasn't poor either. He helped Jade and her mother whenever they went through tough times. It was no wonder he was her best friend.
She stood up from the table, ready to meet Gabriel he had more good news for her.
.
.
.
Jade took a deep breath, adjusting her outfit before stepping outside. The warm sunlight kissed her face, giving her a much-needed boost of energy. Gabriel was waiting for her, leaning against his modest car with a big smile.
"Hey, Jade! I've got some good news for you," he called out as soon as she arrived.
"What is it?" she asked, curious.
Gabriel's eyes sparkled. "I managed to get you an interview at that big event agency I told you about! They're looking for someone as an Event coordinator , and I put in a good word for you."
Jade blinked, surprised and excited. "Seriously? That's amazing, Gaby!"
He pretended to be modest. "Just doing what I can."
For the first time in a long while, Jade felt like things might actually be looking up.
Jade had worked so many small serving jobs that a passion for event planning had quietly grown inside her. She dreamed of organizing her own events even if it meant starting with those fancy, high-society parties she was used to serving.
"Hop in," Gabriel said with a grin,
Gabriel Baldwin was tall, with a charming smile that could disarm most people. His dark eyes sparkled with mischief, and his easy humor made him popular, though he was known to be a bit of a womanizer.
Jade slid into the passenger seat, buckling her seatbelt.
"So, how was your night after that party?" he asked as they pulled away.
"Horrible ," she sighed. "But I'm starting to think maybe I could actually organize events someday."
Gabriel glanced at her with an encouraging smile. "I believe in you. You've got the drive."
They arrived at the small restaurant where Jade worked part-time as a server.
"Here we are," Gabriel said, stopping the car. "Don't forget your meeting at the event agency later today. This could change everything."
.
.
.
Jade finished her shift earlier than expected. She had just enough time to put together her resume for her 3 PM interview. It wasn't just any interview it was with TheButterfly Event Agency, one of the most prestigious event companies in the city. There was no way she could afford to be late.
As she walked home, she glanced at the time and smiled to herself.
"I still can't believe Gabriel managed to get me this opportunity," she muttered, amused. "Maybe he really does know important people after all."
She shook her head with a smirk and picked up her pace. Time to get ready for something big.
.
.
.
The lobby of The Butterfly Event Agency was just as elegant as Jade imagined sleek marble floors, soft lighting, and a massive butterfly-shaped chandelier that hung like a jewel above the reception area.
She adjusted her blazer nervously, clutching her resume folder tightly as she approached the front desk.
"Good afternoon. I have an interview scheduled for 3 PM," she said with a polite smile.
The receptionist, a woman with sharp red nails and a tighter-than-tight bun, glanced at her schedule. "Name?"
"Jade Lee."
The woman nodded and pointed toward the elevators. "Third floor. Conference Room B. Someone will be with you shortly."
"Thank you," Jade replied, taking a deep breath before heading toward the elevators.
Her heart pounded as she rode up. She whispered to herself, "This is it. No panicking. Just charm them, be honest... and pray I don't trip over my words."
Once in the conference room, she sat down, carefully smoothing her skirt and setting her folder in front of her. The minutes felt like hours until the door opened.
A tall woman in a pastel suit walked in, followed by a younger man with glasses and a kind smile.
"Miss Lee? I'm Mrs. Fontaine, Head of Recruitment. This is Julien, our junior coordinator. Welcome."
"Thank you for having me," Jade said, standing up and offering a firm handshake.
Jade sat across from Mrs. Fontaine, the elegant and stern-looking woman who held her file between manicured fingers.
Mrs. Fontaine flipped through Jade's file, her expression unreadable until she finally looked up.
"So," she began, her voice cold and clipped, "you worked as a server… at a high-profile charity gala and someone even recommend you"
Jade was surprised of who recommended her but then brush it.
Jade nodded, trying to maintain eye contact. "Yes, ma'am. It was a great experience. I've always had a passion for events. Organizing, decorating, coordinating"
Mrs. Fontaine raised a hand, cutting her off. "That's all very charming, Miss Lee, but I'm looking at your résumé and… I see nothing. No university degree. No formal training. No certifications. Just a high school diploma and a string of odd jobs."
Jade stiffened slightly.
"This is *The Butterfly Agency*," Mrs. Fontaine continued, her tone sharpening. "We don't hire dreamers , we hire the best. People who come from the best schools. Who know the industry inside out. Not… girls who serve champagne in heels they can't walk in."
Jade's eyes widened at the insult.
"If you're looking for a position here," the woman said with a smirk, "you might want to apply as one of the cleaning staff. That's more your level, dear."
The words hit like a slap. Cold. Unfair. Cruel.
But Jade clenched her fists, forcing herself not to break.
Julien, Mrs. Fontaine's ever-composed coordinator , stood quietly beside her, flipping through some documents. But his attention kept drifting back to the scene unfolding before him. *That was... harsh.* Even for Mrs. Fontaine.
But Jade didn't flinch.
She sat still, her lips curled into a slight, sarcastic smile. The kind that says try me.
Mrs. Fontaine, clearly not done humiliating her, added with a condescending smirk, "You know, some people are just born to stay in the background. It's not shameful. We need people to mop floors too."
Julien's brows twitched. *Oof.*
Then, Jade stood.
Gracefully. Calmly. Like a storm brewing in silence.
She walked toward the table with quiet confidence, picked up the glass of water sitting there and in one smooth motion, poured it over Mrs. Fontaine.
A collective gasp seemed to echo in the room, even if no one else was watching.
Water dripped down the expensive fabric of Fontaine's designer jacket.
Jade leaned in slightly, voice soft, dangerously calm.
"Cold and tasteless. Just like this water. I hope it refreshed your soul if you still have one."
Julien's eyes widened. He hadn't seen that coming.
Mrs. Fontaine froze, mouth slightly open, eyes wide in disbelief.
But Jade wasn't done.
"That's what people hate about you rich folks," she continued. "You think a diploma and a luxury office gives you the right to step on others."
She gave her a once-over.
"But under all that Chanel and superiority, you're just an expired teabag in lukewarm water bitter and completely useless."
Julien let out a cough, definitely not hiding a laugh.
Jade turned her head to him with a wink.
"Tell your boss I'm not a cleaner. I clean people like her out of my way."
Julien stood there, blinking, trying to process what just happened. Mrs. Fontaine's mouth was still hanging open, the water dripping down her sleeve.
He couldn't help but chuckle under his breath. *Finally, someone puts her in her place.*
Furious, Mrs. Fontaine screamed, "Security!" like a madwoman, catching the attention of everyone nearby through the glass walls.
The security guards rushed in, and Mrs. Fontaine ordered them, "Get her out of here. Now."
Whispers and suppressed snickers started spreading among the employees. Some couldn't help but mock their boss under their breath.
"Typical Mrs. Fontaine…" one whispered.
"Maybe she needs to cool down like that water…" another joked.
Mrs. Fontaine snapped at them, "If you have nothing better to do, get back to work!"
The security guards roughly dragged Jade toward the exit and threw her out like trash.
"Heartless fools! Idiots " Jade shouted, adjusting her coat as she walked away.
As she turned to leave, she accidentally bumped into someone.
"Sorry, my fault," she said, looking up
Standing before her was DANIEL OOMAN.