CHAPTER 4: UNINVITED GUEST
1426 Words
93 days left.
I thought the worst part of being Mrs. Voss was the rules.
I was wrong.
The worst part was Victoria Voss.
It was Tuesday morning. 8:03 AM. I was in the kitchen trying to make coffee without setting off the smoke alarm when the doorbell rang.
Mrs. Lim frowned. "It's too early for deliveries."
She went to answer it. 10 seconds later, I heard heels. Loud. Fast. Angry.
"Where is he?" A woman's voice. Sharp enough to cut glass.
"Ma'am, you can't just--"
"I'm Lily's aunt. I can go wherever I want."
My blood froze.
Lily.
I stepped out of the kitchen, still holding a mug.
Standing in the living room was a woman in her 40s. Blonde bob. Red lipstick. White designer suit that probably cost more than my yearly salary. And eyes that were exactly like Damian's. Cold. Calculating.
She saw me and her smile got meaner.
"You must be her," she said, looking me up and down. Jeans. Oversized sweater. No makeup. "The cleaner."
"Mrs. Voss," Mrs. Lim warned. "Please wait for Mr. Voss. He is in a meeting."
"Oh I'm not waiting." She walked in and sat on the white sofa like she owned it. Crossed her legs. "I'm Victoria. Damian's aunt. And you are?"
"Maya," I said quietly. "Maya Chen."
"Maya." She said my name like it was dirty. "Tell me, Maya. How much did my nephew pay you to play wife?"
"Mrs. Voss, I think you should leave before--"
"2 million?" Victoria cut Mrs. Lim off. "3? Was it worth it? Selling yourself to a man who doesn't even look at you?"
I straightened my back. "This is a private residence."
"Not anymore, dear." She picked up a photo frame from the side table. Damian and Lily. She put it down hard. "The board is furious. The press is having a field day. And my brother is spinning in his grave because of this circus."
My chest tightened. "You don't know anything about us."
"I know enough." She stood up and walked to me. Got really close. I could smell her perfume. Expensive and sharp. "I know you're desperate. I know you saw dollar signs. And I know Damian picked you because you're temporary. Disposable."
Before I could answer, the front door opened.
Damian.
He was in a suit but his tie was loose. Hair messy. Like he came straight from somewhere and didn't bother to fix himself. His eyes went straight to Victoria.
"What are you doing here?" His voice was ice.
"Having tea with your wife," Victoria smiled sweetly. She turned to me. "Oh Damian. She's so... young. Is that why you picked her? She reminds you of Lily?"
The room went dead silent.
Damian's jaw clenched. "Get out."
"Not until we talk. The board wants this marriage annulled. Today. They think you've lost your mind."
"They can think whatever they want." Damian walked to me. He put his arm around my shoulders. His touch was firm. Warm. "Maya is my wife. That's final."
Victoria laughed. "Is she? Or is she just an employee with a ring and a bank account? Tell me, Maya. Did he make you sign an NDA too?"
Damian's arm tightened. "Leave. Now. Before I call security."
Victoria stood up slowly. She walked to the door, then stopped. She turned back to me.
"Poor girl," she said softly. Loud enough for everyone to hear. "You have no idea what you've gotten into. He doesn't love anyone. Not even himself."
Then she walked out. Heels clicking on the marble.
The door closed.
Damian dropped his arm immediately. Like my shoulder burned him.
"Are you okay?" he asked. But he wasn't looking at me.
I nodded. But my hands were shaking. "She knows about the money."
"Of course she does." He ran a hand through his hair. "She's the one who leaked it to the board."
"So what now?"
"Now we do what we planned." He finally looked at me. "Tonight. Charity gala. Voss Tower. We go together. As husband and wife."
"I don't have--"
"Dress is already in your room." He turned to leave. "Stylist came an hour ago. 8 PM. Don't be late."
He left.
I stood there alone with Mrs. Lim.
"She's trouble," Mrs. Lim whispered. "That Victoria. She was like this even when Miss Lily was alive. Be careful, Miss Maya."
I went upstairs. On my bed was a black dress. Elegant. Simple. Backless. And a note pinned to it: *8 PM. Voss Tower. Act like you love me. -D*
Act like you love me.
I stared at those 5 words for a long time.
At 7:45 PM, the car was waiting. Damian was already inside on his phone. He didn't look up when I got in.
The ride was silent. Tense.
"Why did she mention Lily?" I asked finally.
Damian didn't look up. "Because she knows it hurts me."
"Do I... do I look like her?"
That made him look at me. Really look at me. For the first time. "No. You don't. Don't listen to her."
Voss Tower was full of people. Crystal chandeliers. Cameras. Reporters.
The moment we stepped out, flashes blinded me.
"Mr. Voss! Comment on the marriage!"
"Is it true it's fake?"
"Ms. Chen, how did you meet?"
Damian grabbed my hand. Laced our fingers together. His palm was warm. Too warm.
"Ladies and gentlemen," he said at the podium. Voice calm. "This is my wife, Maya Chen. We married last week in a private ceremony. Any rumors about the reasons are false. We are happy."
He squeezed my hand. It was my cue.
I smiled. "Hello. Thank you. We appreciate your support."
More questions. More flashes.
"Mr. Voss, is it true your aunt disapproves?"
"My family will learn to accept my choices," Damian cut in. "Now if you'll excuse us."
We walked inside.
For the next hour, I smiled until my cheeks hurt. I shook hands. I nodded. I pretended I belonged.
Victoria was there. Watching from across the room with a glass of champagne and hate in her eyes.
She didn't come near us. Not yet.
At one point, Damian had to take a call. "Stay here," he told me. "Don't talk to anyone."
2 minutes later, Victoria was in front of me.
"So," she said. "How does it feel? Playing house with my nephew?"
I kept my smile. "It's fine."
"Fine?" She laughed. "Let me tell you something, Maya. Damian doesn't keep people. Not friends. Not lovers. And definitely not wives. In 93 days, he'll throw you away and you'll go back to cleaning toilets."
I wanted to slap her. "Is that all?"
"No." She leaned in. "When he does, remember I warned you."
She walked away.
Damian came back. "What did she say?"
"Nothing important."
We left 30 minutes later.
Back in the car, I let out a breath. "You were good in there."
"I've had practice," Damian said. "Lying is part of being a CEO."
"Is that what this is? A lie?"
He didn't answer.
Back at the penthouse, it was almost midnight. I went straight to my room. But sleep wouldn't come.
At 1:30 AM, I heard footsteps in the hall.
I opened my door a crack. Damian was standing outside a closed door down the hall. Lily's room.
The door was open a little. Light was on inside.
I shouldn't have followed. But I did.
The room was frozen in time. Pink walls. A small bed with stuffed animals. Toys on the shelf. And photos everywhere. A little girl with Damian's eyes and a big smile.
Lily.
Damian sat on the edge of the bed. He picked up a teddy bear and just... held it.
"I miss you, kid," he whispered. "I'm so sorry. I'm trying to be strong but it's hard."
My chest hurt.
I made a small sound. Damian's head snapped up. He saw me in the doorway.
"What are you doing here?" His voice was sharp again. The wall was back up.
"I... I couldn't sleep," I said. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to--"
"Don't." He stood up fast and walked past me. "Forget you saw this."
He left.
I stood in Lily's room for a long time. Looking at the photos. At the drawings on the wall. *To my big brother. Love, Lily.*
Back in my room, I stared at the ceiling.
93 days left.
But tonight, the Ice King cried. And I was the only one who saw it.
And the worst part?
A part of me wanted to go comfort him.
- Writer
