CHAPTER-7 APOLOGY MY FOOT

As I made my way to the exit, eager to leave and find some solace, a hand suddenly landed on my shoulder. I turned around to see Jessica, wearing a concerned expression on her face. Oh, girl, I seriously needed a break.

"Where are you going, Ella? Are you okay? You look pale!" she bombarded me with questions. I tried to reassure her, saying I was just tired and planned to head home, assuring her that nothing serious had happened.

Jessica was quite possessive as a close friend, and she wasn't about to let me go so easily. "No way, silly. If you're tired, you're not going anywhere just yet. Let's meet Mr. Maxwell's son, Aaron. You can go home afterward."

Reluctantly, I agreed, feeling exhausted. Jessica led me through the crowd, and eventually, we came to a stop. There stood a man with broad shoulders, towering at least 6'3" in height, while I stood at just 5'4". I couldn't see his face as his back was turned towards us, but he wore a royal blue suit. Jessica called out to him, and he turned around. He seemed oddly familiar, and I struggled to recall where I had seen him before. Jess moved to the side, bringing us face to face.

"YOU!" we both exclaimed simultaneously. It hit me then—he was the arrogant jerk from the café a few months back who had ruined my entire day. We glared at each other, neither willing to back down.

Breaking the tense atmosphere, Jessica asked if I knew him. "Know him? I definitely know him, Jess. He's the arrogant, self-centered bastard who ruined my interview day at the embassy," I replied, a smirk forming on my lips.

He was fuming, and it was evident to everyone around. "Anyway, he's not worth our time. Jess, you wanted us to meet Mr. Maxwell. Why did you stop at him? Let's go," I said, grabbing Jessica's hand, ready to walk away from the jerk.

But she didn't move. Confused, I looked back at her, and she explained, "Ella, uh... he is Mr. Aaron Maxwell, CEO of Max Corporations. That's who I was talking about." I stood there dumbfounded, mouth agape, staring at Jessica. Oh, I had messed up big time. This jerk was the CEO, and my dad worked for him. He could easily fire my dad and take away his job. I needed to apologize to him, even though I really didn't want to.

Slowly, I approached him, raising my eyelashes to meet his eyes, which were already fixed on me with a smug, arrogant smirk. Ella, you have to do this for Dad. "Mr. Maxwell, I... uh... you... I mean... no, I don't... What am I saying? I guess... no..."

"He is my father," he interrupted, his voice dripping with superiority.

"Huh?"

"Mr. Maxwell is my father. I am Aaron."

What a jerk! A complete shithead! Arrogant idiot!

"Oh, sorry, Aaron. I mean, Mr. Aaron Maxwell. I apologize for my previous behavior, though you deserved it," I said, not helping myself. "I mean, I apologize for it. I'm sorry, and I hope you can find it in your heart to forgive me." Who needs his forgiveness? Right now, it's about my dad. I don't want to disappoint him.

He put his index finger and thumb on his chin, pretending to think. "Let me think... how about... a... no."

That was it. "Up to you, then. I'm done here," I said, strutting toward the exit. Everyone's eyes were on me, but I didn't care if he was the CEO or not. He could shove his arrogance up his butt for all I cared.

Sometimes, I could be a bitch, radiating attitude. I swayed my hips, allowing them to drool over me, and left the venue. I called an Uber, and within five minutes, my ride arrived. I hopped in, and the car started moving toward my home. After a few minutes, we arrived, and I paid the fare before heading inside.

I assumed my mom and Janice were already asleep, so I made my way to my room, dropped myself onto the bed, and fell into a deep sleep. Cleaning up could wait until tomorrow. Right now, my sleep was the most important thing, and the comforting embrace of darkness consumed me.