HIS MAID WIFE

Plan

Dinner

The entire Cooper family gathered around the dining table for a formal dinner, and this marked the first time Aubrey found herself seated among them, right next to Evan. As the dishes were being served, Mr. Davis Cooper, the patriarch of the family, turned his attention toward Aubrey and initiated a conversation.

"So, Aubrey, what do your parents do?" Mr. Davis inquired, his tone filled with genuine curiosity. Before Aubrey could respond, Evan interjected, cutting off her opportunity to answer.

"She's an orphan," Evan declared abruptly, not giving Aubrey a chance to speak. Aubrey's shy smile instantly vanished, replaced by a hint of discomfort. She glanced at Mr. Davis and simply nodded, not wishing to delve into the subject further. Mr. Davis, noticing the sudden change in her expression, smiled kindly at her and shifted the conversation.

"And where did you graduate from university?" he asked, attempting to continue the dialogue. Evan, however, seemed disinterested in the topic and interrupted once again, robbing Aubrey of the chance to share the name of her university. Aubrey had never had the opportunity to attend university as her education was cut short when her mother fell ill with cancer. She was acutely aware that she was the only one among the gathered guests who had not completed her education.

Evan, seemingly exasperated, placed his spoon on his plate and took a deep breath, locking eyes with Mr. Davis. "What's the point of asking these questions to my wife, Mr. Davis Cooper?" he retorted, an undercurrent of tension palpable in his voice.

Taken aback by Evan's response, Mr. Davis attempted to explain himself. "Evan, I was simply trying to get to know my beautiful daughter-in-law a little better. There was no harm intended. After all, we are family, and learning a bit about each other can only bring us closer," he reasoned, his tone tinged with a hint of mockery.

"Family," Evan emphasized, his words laced with sarcasm. "Do you even know the meaning of family?" Evan seemed determined to provoke Mr. Davis with his curt replies.

"Evan!" Grandma interjected, her voice commanding attention. "He didn't ask anything offensive about your wife," she chided gently. Aubrey, unsure of how to interject, opted to remain silent, observing the escalating tension at the table.

Grandma's words only seemed to incite Evan further. "You're right, Grandma. So, as Mr. Davis Cooper said, knowing a little about each other won't do any harm, right?" Evan's gaze shifted to Camila, his eyes glinting mischievously. "Camila, tell us, what do your parents do? And which university did you graduate from?" Evan directed the questions at Camila, causing Aubrey to feel a surge of embarrassment on her behalf.

"Evan!" Mr. Davis's voice reverberated, his frustration evident as he slammed his hand on the table. "What's gotten into you? You can't simply treat people this way!"

Evan, seemingly unfazed, smirked in response. "Oh, but isn't this what you wanted? To know more about each other?" he taunted, the tension between them mounting. Sensing the escalating confrontation, Aubrey grew increasingly uncomfortable, her heart aching at the discord unfolding before her eyes.

"Actually, I've finished my meal, so please excuse me," Evan announced, abruptly rising from his seat. He turned his gaze towards Aubrey, who was bewildered by his actions. Extending his hand towards her, he spoke, his voice laced with unexpected gentleness. "Let's go."

Aubrey left with little choice, tentatively placed her hand in his, and rose to her feet. She couldn't help but wonder where Evan was taking her. As they walked out of the house, she found herself longing for answers, her mind filled with a mix of confusion and curiosity.

"Where are we going?" Aubrey inquired, her voice tinged with uncertainty. Her hunger had remained unfulfilled, having missed both lunch and dinner.

"You hadn't eaten lunch or dinner, so we're going out to have a meal," Evan responded, seemingly attuned to her unspoken thoughts. Aubrey couldn't help but feel a glimmer of appreciation, sensing that he was beginning to show her some consideration. They arrived at a luxurious restaurant, and a waiter promptly escorted them to their table. Aubrey couldn't help but feel self-conscious about her appearance, regretting that she hadn't dressed up more elegantly. She worried that her attire might give away her position as a maid, should anyone notice. As she perused the menu, she couldn't help but be astounded by the exorbitant prices of the dishes. It seemed as if they were selling precious gemstones rather than food. Evan confidently placed their order, his gaze occasionally drifting towards Aubrey, observing her reactions.

The food arrived, and as Aubrey took her first bite of the expensive delicacy, she was transported to a world of culinary delight. The flavors danced on her taste buds, momentarily overshadowing any worries or concerns. Unbeknownst to her, Evan observed her with rapt attention, studying the expressions that flickered across her face as she savored each morsel. They continued to dine, but throughout the meal, Evan failed to cast a single glance in Aubrey's direction, a stark indication of his disinterest.

After dinner, they waited outside for the driver to retrieve the car. Aubrey felt a sense of contentment, having thoroughly enjoyed the delectable feast. Although the prices were steep, the culinary experience had been worth it. As they stood together, Aubrey felt Evan's fingers graze her neck, prompting her to turn towards him. Before she could fully comprehend the situation, Evan swiftly captured her lips in a passionate kiss. Aubrey's mind spun as she struggled to process what was happening. Evan's tongue explored her mouth, leaving her breathless and overwhelmed. Instinctively, she clutched onto his shirt, attempting to steady herself, while Evan's hand tenderly caressed her hair.

"E...E...Evan," a voice called out, interrupting their intimate moment. Startled, Evan broke the kiss and turned to see who had called him. Aubrey attempted to catch her breath, her mind still reeling from the sudden encounter.

"Cassie, what are you doing here?" Evan's voice carried a mix of surprise and annoyance as he laid eyes upon the person who had interrupted their moment. Aubrey's gaze shifted from Cassie to Evan, her heart sinking as she observed a satisfied expression and a hint of a smile on his face. It became clear to Aubrey that she had merely been a pawn in Evan's game, a means to incite jealousy in his ex-girlfriend.

"I was out with my friends, and you know this is my favorite restaurant in the entire city," Cassie responded, her tone laced with irritation. She seemed unfazed by Aubrey's presence, her eyes burning with anger as she glared at Aubrey. Without waiting for Evan's reply, Cassie abruptly turned and departed, leaving Aubrey caught between conflicting emotions of sadness and hurt. It became painfully evident to her that Evan had been using her without considering her feelings, his intentions focused solely on making Cassie jealous.

The driver arrived in their car, and they silently climbed inside. Unable to contain her curiosity and emotions, Aubrey couldn't resist asking Evan a question that had been plaguing her mind. "Did you know she would be there?" Aubrey's voice trembled slightly as she posed the query. Evan engrossed in his phone, glanced up and casually replied, "Yes, it's her best friend's birthday today, and this restaurant happens to be her favorite. I knew she would be here." His response lacked any concern for Aubrey's feelings, and she fought to hold back tears, not wanting to reveal her vulnerability to Evan.

"Why did we put on an act in front of everyone if she wasn't even there?" Aubrey inquired, her voice tinged with a mixture of confusion and sorrow. Evan looked at her, a faint grin playing on his lips. "Do you think I'm only doing this to make her jealous?" he asked rhetorically, his tone filled with a hidden agenda. "No, Aubrey. I want you as my wife, not just to provoke her but also to secure my position with Mr. Davis," he continued, his words laced with a sense of warning. Aubrey could only nod, her heart heavy with a sense of foreboding and uncertainty.

As the car glided through the night, Aubrey's mind swirled with a whirlwind of emotions. She couldn't help but question Evan's true motives and his relationship with Cassie. Doubt gnawed at her, leaving her unsure of her place in his life and whether she was merely a pawn in a larger game. With each passing moment, Aubrey became acutely aware that her journey with Evan was far more complex than she had initially imagined.