My Ambition 28

 

Chapter 3 

When Sera said this, she had that whole ‘can’t wait for the show’ look on her face. 

She’d already done her homework-Summer was tone-deaf as hell and couldn’t play piano to save her life. 

Once she got up there and made a fool of herself, Gabe would finally see this wannabe was nothing like his precious first love. 

Sera was practically glowing, already picturing my epic public humiliation. 

But I didn’t even hesitate: 

Nah. You heard wrong. I can’t play piano at all.” 

era’s smug expression completely froze. She stared at me like I’d grown a second head: 

You’re just… admitting it? Straight up? In every novel, the replacement tries to copy the first love even when she sucks at everything! 

Why aren’t you doing that?” 

By the end, she sounded genuinely broken. 

his whole welcome party was supposed to be her big moment-watching me crash and burn in front of everyone. 

Gabriel had just finished dealing with work stuff and walked over. Seeing her eyes all red, he immediately got concerned: 

What’s wrong?” 

he threw herself into Gabriel’s arms all dramatic: “Gabe, Summer’s being mean to me.” 

;abriel frowned at me. I immediately threw my hands up: “I literally didn’t do anything!” 

veryone around us started explaining what went down. 

le rubbed his temples, looking way more exhausted than before. 

Just go play something real quick. I’ll make it twenty times overtime.” 

La-ching! My whole face lit up: “Now we’re talking, boss!” 

walked over to the piano and basically just mashed the keys randomly. The sound was absolutely nothing like Sera’s elegant laying from earlier. 

era was grinning like the Cheshire cat, scanning the crowd, waiting for everyone to absolutely destroy me. 

But the guests just kept sipping their drinks and chatting like nothing happened. 

she jumped up, looking completely lost: 

Why isn’t anyone laughing at Summer?! Come on, call her trashy and embarrassing!” 

Some guy looked genuinely confused: 

‘She can’t play piano. So? Big whoop.” 

Besides, since when do plano skills matter? Miss Summer might not do Mozart, but her cooking’s literally Michelin-star level. Everyone sucks at something. It’s called being human.” 

Sera got super pissed: 

“But you background characters are supposed to trash the replacement when she screws up! That’s literally your job! Why won’t you play along?!” 

The room went dead silent. Except for champagne bubbles popping. 

“Oh, so we’re just background characters at Mr. Stone’s fancy parties? Well, since we’re such an eyesore, guess we’ll bounce.” 

Most of the crowd started heading for the exits. Gabriel was practically begging people to stay, but nope-they were done. 

Gabriel looked ready to have a breakdown, but Sera just kept digging: 

“Whatever! Good riddance! I’m Gabe’s first love, remember? Mess with me and tomorrow I’ll make him destroy every single one of you!” 

Aaaand that killed it for the rest of them. The remaining guests gave Sera this look like she’d completely lost her mind and noped right out. 

The whole welcome party just went up in flames. 

I was about to dip too when Sera death-gripped my wrist: 

You can’t go!” 

‘Gabe, this party turning into a total shitshow? That’s all Summer’s fault-she totally set me up! You have to make her pay!” 

Gabriel’s face went stone-cold, disappointment radiating off him in waves. 

‘Sera, seriously, just… stop. What the hell happened to you?” 

All the blood drained from Sera’s face: 

You’re seriously picking her over me right now? Gabriel Stone, you wanna talk about someone changing? Look in the damn mirror!’ 

Fine, I get it-you chose her. Just don’t come crying to me later!” 

She grabbed her purse and stormed out of the villa. 

gave Gabriel’s shoulder a sympathetic pat: “Rough night, man.” 

Oh, and don’t forget to transfer that overtime pay.”