Chapter 9

"I was only hoping the owner would accept it. As soon as he arrived, he looked at Zac cleaning the tables.

"Zac?"

"Aileen? I thought you wouldn't come back here," the boy, who seemed to be upset with her, told her. "After you quit."

"Well, yes. Is Maroon here?"

"Fortunately not, Aileen. He went on a trip a few days ago. I didn't tell him about your resignation."

Aileen breathed a sigh of relief.

"Zac, that's good because I need to come back."

The blond boy looked at her closely, thinking that a few hours ago he had received the news that the girl he had liked for years was going to marry a millionaire. He felt so insignificant, a McDonald's employee couldn't compete with a billionaire like Oliver Price. However, the girl he liked, Aileen, had returned.

"Why do you want to work here if you don't need to?"

"Why do you think I don't need to?"

"I heard that you were getting married," he muttered, not stopping cleaning the tables.

Aileen sighed deeply.

"And so what? The money is his, not mine. Are you going to let me come back or not?" she crossed her arms desperately. "If not, I'll look elsewhere." She made a move to leave, but Zac reacted.

"No! Wait, it's fine. You can come back."

"Thank you for not telling Maroon anything. I owe you one," Aileen hugged him. She appreciated Zac a lot. He was a good friend, a bit shy and quiet but good. "I'll go put on the uniform."

Zac watched her walk away as he sighed deeply, cherishing the hug the girl of his dreams had given him. Aileen put on her cap, headset, apron, and sat in her position to wait for customers. Throughout the day, customers started to arrive one by one. It was incredible how much people liked hamburgers and fries. Occasionally, she would eat some fries because she loved them. Until she came across an unpleasant surprise. In the distance, she saw someone taking pictures of her. The first word that came to her mind was "paparazzi," and she also thought of Oliver. But it was fine because she would be glad for Oliver to see her in that place.

Oliver was in his office, wondering what Aileen was doing and if she wanted to see him. He had behaved like an idiot, but he couldn't allow a woman to control or dominate him. That wasn't who he was. He was working hard on a project that would be decisive for his father to be even prouder of him. He had to win it. He took a sip of whiskey as he typed on his laptop and made plans.

"Look who we have here," a familiar voice interrupted his work. He looked at the person: Luka, his best friend since forever.

"Luka? When did you come back from London?"

"This morning, and the first thing I wanted to do was greet an old friend," Luka approached Oliver and gave him a hug. "Plus, I wouldn't miss your wedding for anything."

Oliver didn't say anything in response.

"And where is your future wife?"

"Probably at her house," he answered. She was supposed to be studying for university at this time.

"By any chance, is your girlfriend named Aileen?" his friend asked. There was a picture in the magazine of a girl dressed as a waitress at McDonald's. It was Aileen, and the journalist had taken photos of her working and they were published. Oliver took the magazine, looking at Aileen in that place when she wasn't supposed to return.

He got angry, throwing the magazine to the floor. "Hey, calm down, buddy," someone said.

"I can't believe she did this!" he pounded the table.

"What's wrong?" another person asked.

"Nothing," he loosened his tie. Luka stood up and picked up the magazine again, searching for the article featuring Aileen. "The fiancée of businessman Oliver Price was seen working hard at a McDonald's this morning, apparently Mr. Price's salary is not enough for her. But that's not all, she was also seen closely embracing a guy, who appears to be a colleague. What do you think? Do you believe the modern Cinderella is cheating on magnate Oliver Price with a commoner?" he finished reading. As soon as Oliver heard that, he grabbed the magazine again and looked at the pictures. There was Aileen embracing Zac in the restaurant. His blood boiled.

"I have to go," Oliver said.

"Don't do anything stupid, Price," someone warned as Oliver stormed out of the office. He felt betrayed. He had an agreement with Aileen. First, she wouldn't go back to that place, and second, neither of them would be made a fool of. And that's exactly what Aileen had done. She had made him a laughingstock in front of everyone, and on top of that, a cuckold. Dammit, he cursed. He left the company, got into his car, and drove like a madman in search of the girl who drove him crazy.

Aileen sat with Zac, looking at the magazine and reading everything that had been written about them.

"Gossip spreads," Zac murmured, unable to believe it. But deep down, he also felt a hint of happiness. It wasn't insignificant after all.

"Well, when you're in the world of celebrities, it does," Aileen added. She knew it was very bad. One thing was to be portrayed as working decently, but it was completely different to be accused of cheating on Oliver. Her mother had called, but she didn't answer because she knew her mother had seen the magazine and now wanted an explanation. She felt a bit embarrassed, not for Oliver or the people who knew her, but for Oliver's father. She respected that man and didn't want him to think ill of her.

"We should get back to work," Aileen muttered, getting up. But then she noticed a car speeding towards them, parking abruptly.

"No, it can't be," she thought. It was Oliver. He got out of the car and entered the establishment. Aileen looked at him with a furrowed brow, feeling scared to see him like that. Oliver headed straight for Zac, and when Aileen noticed, she hurried to stand in between them to protect Zac.

"Stay away from her," he snapped at the poor guy.

"What's wrong with you?" Zac questioned. "We're friends."

"That's not what everyone thinks," Oliver retorted.

"Oliver, calm down," Aileen tried to lead him outside. "Let's talk somewhere else."

"You've been warned," Oliver threatened Zac, then let himself be led outside by Aileen.

"Calm down," she said to him. "Who do you think you are to come like this?"

"Who? I'm your fiancé, Aileen, the one you're making a fool of."

"You started this."

"Why? It is for the conversation I had with Anna this morning? For God's sake, Aileen. Anna's family is a partner in my company, so I have to talk to her. And we wouldn't do it alone or elsewhere, it would be in the office with other partners present. If you want, you can be there too.”