chapter one

Chapter one

James Bennett stood at the threshold of the grand ballroom, his heart pounding against his chest feeling nervous. Tonight marked a significant milestone in his life—a charity gala hosted by his in-laws, the illustrious Smith family. As he adjusted his tie nervously, he glanced at Emma, his wife, who stood beside him radiating confidence and grace in her designer gown.

The Smith mansion gleamed with opulence, a stark contrast to the humble apartment James shared with Emma before their marriage. For James, stepping into this world felt like entering a dream, one where he hoped to prove himself worthy not just to Emma but to her entire family. He took a deep breath, steeling himself for the evening ahead. He was about to walk in when he heard a voice behind him. James stood still and timidy looked back to where the voice came from. " And where the hell did you think you are going?" A woman in her mid forties shouted at James.

" I..I...thought." James stammered and was cut short before he could finish. "Oh, you thought the gala event was for you also since you bare the last name, Smith." Margaret stand with her hand akimbo, looking at James. " I think I need to make myself clear, you are nothing to this family but a lowly servant. I don't know why Emma married a man like you but you need to know your place. Miss Harris is inside the kitchen and the rest of the servants. You are going to make sure my guests are served and are well attended to. so you had better take off that suit and change into something maid like. " Margaret yelled at James who had his head bent down. The gaze of the people shifted from the music being played and all focus was on James. Some laughed while some pret ended like they didn't see him

James looked trying to catch a glimpse of his wife but he noticed she could not be found. Emma was either drinking away her time or was frolicking with any rich man sh e sees at the party. The gala was mostly for the biggest fish in the city of New York.

James took off his suit and simply rolled up his sleeve. He stroll to the kitchen and was met with Mrs Harris friendly gaze. " I can't believe you are sent here on a day like this." She said trying to keep her voice down. " You should keep your voice low,Mrs Harris. I don't want to get you into trouble." James said gently arranging the wine cups on the glassy tray in his front.

The Smith's were just hosting Thier first gala event since the wedding of Emma and James. Which was if course the talk of the town. Many wondered why Emma would marry a nobody. James had been a clerk in one of the most biggest library. He and Emma had met by chance and they fell inlove. At least that was what James thought until he married her and the Smith showed Thier claws. " Do you need help with that?" Mrs Harris looked at James. She was the only one who loved and liked James. She sees him like her son although she had sons of her own.

As James went about serving the drinks at the gala eve nt, he kept rolling his eyes all over the places trying to capture a glimpse of Emma. " Where the hell is she?" James said under his breath as her mistakenly crashed into one of the guest.

"Oh my god! He ruined it." The lady shouted looking at her velvet gown. Margaret who wasn't far from the scence gasped rushing towards them. In a twink of an eye, she landed a heavy slap at James throwing the people off their feet. Many people were surprised at how harsh Margaret was while some said James had deserved it. " That gown cost alot. I heard it is one of a kind." One of the ladies said whispering into the ears of her partner. James clenched to his cheek as he stared at all the faces staring at him. " I am so sorry, Jenna. I will have the cloth ordered right away." Margaret pleased looking at her. " This was the last edition, Mrs Smith. I wasn't a refund." She looked at her face

" What is going on here?" Emma shouted walking through the crowd with a man by her side. She looked at Jenna and back at James. " Where the hell have you been?" James said gently removing his hands from his cheek. " How dare you ask me that? Mother, why have him come here and ruin the day for us?" Emma shouted at Margaret who looked apologetic. " I am sorry baby. I don't mean too."

Many people were now gathering to see what was going on. " You don't need to sweat it baby. Who is this man by the way?" Mark Nelson asked looking at James who was in his white shirt and black pants. " You mean him?" Emma said in a sharp tone. " This is one of our families servants. Can you greetbmy guest and stop staring at him?" Emma shouted at James even making him look like a fool

James was short of words. It almost look like the earth should open and swallow him up. He had lowered himself to serving the Smith's guest but now Emma was even making a mockery of him by calling him a servant. " Did you just call me a servant?" James sighed and looked at Emma who didn't say a word but simply liplocked with Mark.

Furiously, James dropped the glassy tray as it dashed into a million pieces. He rushed towards Mark and draw his face away from Emma but he was met by a strong punch to his faces sending him to the ground. Many laughed seeing the ugly scandal of the Smith family once again but suddenly, a man ran out of the crowd and shouted. " James Bennett! Are you alright?"

Everyone froze at the name James was called. " It can't be, Bennett?" Emma looked at the man who shouted and back at James.