BOUND TO THE TEXAS TYCOON

Chapter Sixteen

Jasmine’s POV

I came down the staircase and called out to Maya. “Maya, tell the maids to set another place at the table. Adonis invited the foreman to eat with us.”

“Sure.” She replied while rolling her eyes at me.

“Where’s Dominga?” I asked, stopping her again.

“I don’t know, and I don’t remember being her nanny.” She said it and walked off into the kitchen.

I let out a breath and headed to the sitting room. Seb was already there, sitting on the couch with a tight expression on his face.

“You should have f*****g said no to Adonis’s offer,” I told him. “Don’t you think of how awkward it will be for both of us at that table?”

“You didn’t keep your promise,” he said. “I waited for hours but you didn’t show up. Have you made your decision now?”

I glanced around in every direction before facing him. “Seb, don’t pressure me. I’m sorry for not showing up but I don’t have an answer yet.”

“f**k you. I want it right now.”

“You don’t get to say that to me.” I tried not to yell at him. “I don’t have the answer yet and you have to understand that.”

“Why are you talking to me like that?” He held my hand.

“I’m not doing this with you.” I pulled away. “Let go of my hand and find a way to make up an excuse to skip dinner because I am not eating at that table with you.” I flung his hand away and walked off into the kitchen.

The moment I opened the kitchen door, I saw Maya yelling at Alexi, one of the maids, and trying to push her out of the house. I did not care what the reason was.

“Alexi, come back here,” I called. She stepped back inside. “You shouldn’t pay attention to someone who has no more authority in this house than you or any of the other maids here.” I gestured to everyone in the kitchen as I spoke.

Maya turned and faced me. “This one is who gives orders here and you have no right to question it.”

I smiled tightly. “I understand that’s how things were before I got married to Adonis, but—”

“No, no, no, no. No buts, Jasmine.” Her voice sharpened. “Adonis knows perfectly that I am capable of handling every worker in here. It’s obvious I can run a home and a group of people better than you.”

“Really?” I shook my head and moved past her. “Maya, can’t you see your time here has come to an end? From now on, nobody does anything in this house unless I say so.”

“And who are you to say that? Adonis or what?”

“His wife, as you can see.” I held my hand up and let the diamond ring shine right in front of her face. “As Adonis’s wife, I have every right to manage this household and everyone working in it. That includes you too, Maya.

She swatted my hand away from her face.

I was ready to snap back when the kitchen door opened.

Maya folded her arms with a smug smile.

Adonis walked in. “What’s going on here?”

Instantly, Maya’s expression crumpled. Tears welled in her eyes as she hurried toward him.

She grabbed his hands. “It’s Jasmine again. She disrespected me, called me a nobody, and claims to be the only boss in here.”

Adonis ran a hand through his hair and licked his lips. It was a habit I had noticed him doing a lot lately. “Dominga and everyone, can you leave us alone for a second?”

“Yes sir.” They turned off all the gas burners and left through the back door.

“Jasmine, what’s happened now?” Adonis asked.

“She’s rude. She pushed me and I had no choice but to constantly remind her of her place in this house.”

“Why are you lying, Jasmine?”

“You really think so highly of yourself. I don’t see any reason to lie against you. I’m not competing against you because what you desperately want has become mine.” I raised my voice at her.

“I have lots of businesses to deal with and the truth is I don’t want to waste my time settling arguments between women.”

“Arguments between women.” I pointed at Maya. “You are putting me in the same place as her?”

“Jasmine, can you just stop? I don’t like this situation at all.”

“I don’t like it either.”

“Then why do you cause it?” he asked.

“Oh, great. You decided it’s all my fault already.” I yelled at him.

“I didn’t blame anyone nor do I want to, but Maya won’t deliberately step on your toes.”

Maya turned and smiled at me.

“You always believe her over me and that’s the problem I have with you.”

“Because I am always in the right, Jasmine. You also need to understand that.” She yelled back at me.

“Enough, Maya. Leave us please.”

“Yes, Adonis.” She said it and went out of the kitchen.

“What do you want, Jasmine? To make my life hell?” Adonis sounded tired. “I’m having a severe headache since midnight but you didn’t even know. Not that you bother. So stop stressing me. I really don’t want to lash out at you.”

“Why don’t you tell me what you’re looking for, Adonis? Give me more reason to keep hating you and leave this damn place.” Tears rolled down my cheeks.

Adonis moved closer and held my waist. “Jasmine, don’t you dare threaten me with that.”

“Then start by respecting me and let Maya know of her position in this house.” I yanked his hand off my waist and stepped back.

“Jasmine, can we calm down? Can we have a conversation without yelling at each other?”

“I only want to fulfill my duties as your wife.”

“I understand, but Maya is also human and you shouldn’t just insult or humiliate her.”

“Then you should tell that to Maya, who treats everyone like trash. And I’m not making that up.” I patted my scalp and tried to calm down a little. “Adonis, do I have the rights I deserve as your wife or not?”

He moved closer again and put his hands on my waist. “It’s you who should decide that, Jasmine.”

“Good. I want to take over all my obligations now and Maya gets no rights over anyone in here.”

“All?” He licked his lips again. The motion sent a rush through me that I did not want to feel. “Am I supposed to be happy about you claiming rights as my wife now?” He lifted my chin and brought his lips closer to mine. For some strange reason my legs stayed rooted there. My heart pounded against my ribs. Every instinct told me to pull away, yet I couldn’t move. His lips were only inches from mine…when his phone rang.

He smirked, showing his perfect white teeth. “You’re shaking. I guess heaven is on your side. You already have rights to everything in this house, and I will talk to Maya.”

Adonis left the kitchen, leaving me standing there alone.

I couldn’t believe I had been seconds away from letting Adonis kiss me. Mr. Albert’s words had really stayed with me.

The kitchen felt heavy after he walked out. I had come here so sure I already knew who owned my heart.

Now I wasn’t so sure anymore.