Page 2 of Silver Tears

“Mrs Bennett. What an unfortunate accident,” Seb utters, as he places a hand at her elbow. “Let’s get you cleaned up.” I watch him scan the room before he finds whoever he is looking for and beckons them over. “Verity, can you take Mrs Bennett and help her get dry?”

Vee takes in the woman’s wet dress before her eyes fall on my stricken face. “Of course. Come on, Mrs Bennett. I’m sure we can get this dry and have you looking wonderful again.”

I watch as Verity Collings guides the woman away. I wince when I overhear the woman refer to me as a stupid, clumsy girl.

“Kitchen, now,” Imogen orders into my ear.

“Perhaps I can explain,” Seb offers, giving Imogen a dazzling smile.

“Just leave it,” I say, glaring at him. “Haven’t you done enough?”

He must read from my expression that I’ve had enough of him as he grimaces and, stepping back, gestures for us to pass him.

“Honestly, Milly,” Imogen exclaims as I follow her to the kitchen. “That dress probably costs around two grand and now it’s covered in champagne.”

“I’m so sorry,” I say, chasing after her. “It was a complete accident. I wasn’t looking where I was going.”

Imogen pinches the bridge of her nose as the kitchen door closes behind us. The hustle and noise of the busy kitchen and serving area carries on around us.

“I’ll find her and apologise again,” I offer, stepping towards the door with a plan to find the woman and do some grovelling.

“Don’t!” Imogen orders, stepping in front of me. “Get back out there and mop the floor and after that you can hang up your apron and leave.”

I stare at her open-mouthed. Is she firing me? “You want me to leave? But I have another three hours of my shift?”

Imogen shakes her head at me and offers me a mop and bucket. “Clean it up, quickly and discreetly, and after that collect your things and go home, Milly.”

“Am I fired?” I ask her, my chin wobbling as I fight to contain my upset.

Imogen sighs, looking weary. “I don’t know. I need to get through tonight without any more disasters. I’ll go speak to Christina and do damage control.” She squeezes my shoulder, seeing the devastation on my face. “I’ll call you tomorrow.”

Nodding my head, I take the mop and bucket from her and head back out to the ballroom. A hand wraps around my wrist and tugs me into a quiet alcove.

“Get off me!” I growl as I tug and attempt to get out of his grip. “Have you not done enough, dickhead?”

He puts out his bottom lip as he cages me into the alcove. “That’s harsh.”

“Harsh! You’ve likely cost me my job,” I inform him, and his smile falls.

“Shit. I’m sorry. Look. I’ll talk to your manager, smooth things over,” he offers.

Glaring at him, I shove him hard in the chest, but he doesn’t budge. Ducking down, I slip under his arm and pick up the mop bucket. “Please stay the fuck away from me, Seb Collings,” I warn him as I stride towards the ballroom. Fuck him and fuck his apology.

* * *

When I hand in my apron and fall into the taxi half hour later, I’m still hopping mad. What am I going to do if Christina decides not to hire me? I need this job. More than that, I need the money. He has no idea how his actions tonight could have such a negative effect on me. He’s a spoilt, rich boy who has never had to work hard for anything. Sitting up on the cliff in his enormous mansion without a care in the world, when some of us have people relying on us.

I hope I never lay eyes on that blue-eyed Adonis again!

I’m not in the mood to party, but my friend Ruby has been texting me non-stop. She’s been begging me to head over to Wallis’ party once I’m done. Wallis is one of my boyfriend, Ryan’s, best friends. His parents are away this weekend, so he’s having a house party. I know if I go home, I’m likely to lie in my bed staring at the ceiling and imagining all the ways I can hurt Seb Collings. Alcohol and Ryan might be what I need right now.

* * *

When I arrived at gone eleven-thirty, Wallis's house was already filled with people from our school, and the party was in full swing. I pull my hair out of the ponytail and run my fingers through it. I untuck my shirt from my skirt and tuck it into my bra to give it a cropped look, undoing a few buttons to show some cleavage.

I weave my way through the crowds and nod and smile to people from school as I pass. Everyone at Hawk Bay High knows my family. The Aces are well known in the Bay, but on this side of the Bay, the Silvers are almost as prolific.

“You came!” Ruby shouts from across the room, waving her hands frantically in the air and grinning at me. Ruby has been my best friend throughout primary school and high school. Her dad and mine go way back, and her dad works for mine. Ruby and I are opposites. She’s dark haired in contrast to my pale blonde hair. Where I am tall and lack an arse, she is petite and curvy. Ruby says I have a model’s body and she envies my slender frame. Give me her boobs and hips any day!

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