Too Late to Love Me

Now, the nurses were whispering to each other, full of envy, as they looked at their phones. "Did you hear that? The only son of the Garcias is getting engaged. The bride-to-be is the Lin family's daughter. Mr. Garcia liked Miss Larkin since they were kids. Last night, he bought out the entire city's fireworks to propose to her."

"That's not even the craziest part. There was a whole drone light show, too; there must've been over a thousand of them! Word is, Mr. Garcia planned the whole thing himself just for her. I'm so jealous."

I stood there in a daze and my phone started ringing. It was the manager from one of my part-time jobs. "Freya, we've got a client throwing a bachelorette party tonight. They want someone in a costume to perform. The pay's really good. I know you need the money, so I personally recommend you. Don't make me regret it, alright?"

I wanted to refuse, but this manager had always been good to me, always thinking of me first when there was work. I didn't want to make things difficult for him, so I agreed. Besides, I wasn't planning to use Howard's check. I'd given him all my savings and now I had to rely on myself to survive. I used the wages from that secret room part-time job to pay off some expenses. It was the first time I spent money on myself in three years. Anyway, Howard didn't need my meager savings anymore.

I forced a bitter smile. Maybe it was for the best. His little "Prince turned pauper" game was finally over. It was time for him to go back to the woman he truly loved. They were the perfect match, both from wealthy families, good looks, everything in common. He and I were never from the same world. The past three years could just be a bitter yet sweet dream. Now that the dream was ending, we should each return to our rightful places.

I didn't expect the client throwing the bachelorette party to be Megan. In the private room, it wasn't just her. A group of wealthy young men and women was there, staring at me with obvious contempt. Megan tossed a costume at my feet with a smug look. "Your manager said Miss Youngson is great at entertaining guests. Then put this on and show my friends a good time."

It was a clown costume, but the style was strange and the neckline was very low, exposing my entire back. I replied politely, "Miss Larkin, this doesn't comply with our work regulations. I've already prepared a Doraemon costume and can perform magic tricks for you and your friends."

The next second, a sharp slap landed on my face, burning with pain. Megan was nothing like the kind and considerate person I saw that day. She sneered coldly, "What a joke. In your line of work, the customer is the rule. If you don't wear it, I'll assume your manager lied to me and his business can kiss goodbye."

For these rich people, crushing a small business was as easy as flipping their hands. I couldn't drag my manager down with me. Clenching my teeth, I picked up the clown costume and put it on. Megan said lazily, "Wait. Where's your professionalism? Take off your own clothes first, right in front of us. I don't want you sneaking off."

The men on the couch suddenly looked at me with disgusting, leering eyes. If I still couldn't see that Megan had set this up to humiliate me, I'd be an idiot. "I'm sorry, but I can't do what you ask. I don't want the payment either. Please find someone else, Miss Larkin."

I turned to leave, but two men grabbed me firmly. One of them kicked my knee hard and I fell to the ground in pain. Megan walked up to me and slapped me across the face more than ten times, then sneered, "That's more like it. You poor trash only deserve to kneel before me."