Chapter 5 The Humiliation

Nina's POV

"I.....I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to..."

The words fell out of my mouth before I knew it. Dominic's eyes changed, shining with Something cruel under the ballroom lights.

Heads turned.

Cameras flashing their lights because of course the media would feast on this. Champagne poured on a king's expensive suit. The peasant girl in rags.

This was definitely what no one had paid to watch, but all of them would devour. And then his lips curled into a cruel smile. Nothing warm about it.

It wasn't forgiveness.

It was the cold, merciless smile of a man who had been handed the perfect opportunity. "Ladies and gentlemen," he announced, raising his voice just enough to draw more attention.

"This is what happens when you hire strays off the street." Laughter immediately broke out...hesitant at first, then bolder as others joined in, fueled by his cruelty.

I felt it like a slap across my face, hot and sharp. My stomach twisted so tight I thought I might throw up right then and there. "Mr Dominic......Please...." I whispered, praying he would stop.

"Don't you dare say a fucking word!!" He barked, his voice slicing through the room. "You have already embarrassed yourself more than enough for one night, don't you think?"

I could feel their eyes on me...judging me, amused. A thousand silent mouths drinking their champagne in my downfall like fine wine. "I gave you a simple task," Dominic continued, stepping closer, his body towering over me.

"Hold a tray because it's your job. Smile. Don't trip over your own feet. But somehow you still managed to fail miserably at that."

Liliane, his fiancée, sipped her wine with a smirk carved into her perfect face like this was the entertainment she had hoped for all along. Her eyes scanned me from head to toe like I wasn't even human.

"I.....I can fix this," I stammered. "I'll clean it up immediately sir."

"Actually." He said, his eyes shining with a sick amusement. "Yes. You will." He said. Pointing to the wet marble floor, "Down. Clean this up. Right Now."

For a second, I thought I misheard him. I didn't move. But then, he said it again...Slower this time. Meaning every single word of it. On. Your. knees."

A few of the guests gasped in shock, others smiling behind their glasses. One man pulled out his phone to record. "I...I don't have anything to use," I whispered, humiliated by his words.

"Of course you do. Your dress. Use your dress. It looks cheap enough." Dominic spoke, shifting his head with mocked concern. Laughter erupted immediately....even louder now, crueler. It rolled over me like a wave, drowning what little pride I had left.

I stared down at my navy gown which I had poured all my life savings into. I had never worn anything so beautiful in my life. And now, he wanted me to soil it.... To rub it against the floor like I was a maid.

"I said get on your knees and start cleaning, Nina," he growled, his final words sharp enough to slice through me. And I had to do it.

Because I didn't know what else to do. I knelt on the cold marble floor, my knees aching immediately through the thin fabric of my dress. The scent of champagne filled my nose....expensive, wasted.

I let down my gown with shaking hands and began to scrub. Every motion felt like it shattered a piece of me one by one. The gown darkened as the liquid soaked it, dragging along the floor like a rag.

"Why is she even here?"

"She's just a personal Assistant to Mr Dominic, right? God, how pathetic."

"She probably fucked him for him to let her into somewhere like this."

Every word behind gossiped about me sliced through me, even more cruel than any of Dominic's words. Cameras kept flashing. Phones were out. This would be on gossip sites before I will make it home.

The girl who spilled champagne on someone as influential and powerful as Dominic Varela. The girl who he forced to clean it with her dress in order to keep her job.

The girl who didn't belong.

Still, I scrubbed and I let it happen.

Still, I held back the tears threatening to fall....because crying would even make it worse. Crying would make them think I was weak.

But then I heard him.

Dominic's voice. Smooth and loud, laced with venom. "Look at her." Speaking casually to a group of investors, "crawling on the floor right where she belongs."

And that was it. That was the climax of everything I had endured from him for weeks since I stepped into Dominex Enterprises.

Something inside me broke....Finally, making me stop doing this desperate and foolish act. My body shook as I rose to my knees. My dress was already stained with champagne clinging to the fabric of my dress.

My palms were raw. My soul felt as if it was stripped right from me. I looked up at him, tears rolling down my cheeks. "That's enough of what you have said to me.....Sir." I said, my voice breaking but clear.

He blinked, a flicker of surprise breaking through his arrogant facade. "I'm done, Mr Varela," I said, my voice louder now. "I Quit."

The room went silent. Everyone is waiting for his response. Dominic just stared at me, the expression on his face unreadable. But instead, he just gave a lady shrug, like me quitting meant nothing to him.

"That's fine by me. Do what you want, " he responded coldly. "You won't be missed." The words hit me harder than a slap. The tears rolling down my cheeks are even more uncontrollable now.

I didn't look at the guests, or Liliane. Not even the paparazzi licking their lips for scandal.Because I was done with every humiliation he ever put me through.

And this time, I didn't look back at Dominic Varela.