hire by the ruthless ceo

chapter 3

*CHAPTER 3: THE FIRST TOUCH*

The lounge was boring.

White chairs. Magazines I couldn’t afford.

I was on hour 3 when Mrs. Linda called.

"Miss Evans. Mr. Hayes needs you. Now."

I ran back to his office.

Alex was standing by the window. Jacket off. Sleeves rolled.

"We have a charity gala tonight," he said without turning. "7PM. You’re coming."

"Me, sir?"

"You’re my maid. You’ll help me with my cufflinks and make sure I don’t drink too much."

_Make sure he doesn’t drink too much?_ Since when was that a maid’s job?

"Yes, sir."

*6:45PM. The Gala.*

The ballroom was full of rich people. Diamonds. Suits.

And Mandy on Alex’s arm looking like she owned him.

I was supposed to stay in the background. By the wall.

But every 10 minutes Alex would look over and make sure I was there.

Then it happened.

A waiter tripped. A tray of champagne glasses went flying.

Straight at Alex and Mandy.

I didn’t think.

I lunged.

"Watch out!"

I shoved Alex to the side. Glass shattered everywhere.

But one piece caught my arm.

Pain. Sharp.

"MAYA!"

Alex’s voice.

He grabbed my arm. His hand was warm and firm.

Blood was on his fingers. From me.

"Someone get a first aid kit. NOW!" he barked.

Mandy was standing there, untouched, with her mouth open.

"You pushed him," she whispered. "You touched him."

Alex ignored her. He ripped off his own tie and wrapped it around my arm.

"Does it hurt?" he asked. His voice was low. For me only.

"N-no sir. I’m fine."

"Liar," he said. "Your hands are shaking again."

He lifted me.

Actually lifted me.

And carried me out of the ballroom while 200 people watched.

In the car, he didn’t let go of my hand.

"Why did you do that?" he asked.

"I-I don’t know, sir. I just reacted."

Alex stared at me for a long time.

Then he brought my hand to his lips.

Not a kiss. Just his thumb brushing over my knuckles.

"Don’t ever do that again," he said. "Unless it’s for me."

My breath caught.

_What does that mean?_

When we got home, he walked me to the servant quarters himself.

Mrs. Linda almost fainted.

At my door, Alex stopped.

"7AM tomorrow," he said. "Same time. We’re going to the Hamptons for the weekend."

"Yes, sir."

He was about to leave when he turned back.

"And Maya?"

"Yes, sir?"

"That tie looked better on you."

Then he walked away.

I closed the door and slid down to the floor.

My arm hurt.

But my heart was beating faster than it ever had.

Mr. Alex Hayes just called me "good girl" and said I looked better in his tie.

And Mandy saw everything.

This was going to be a long weekend.

*To Be Continued...*

_A/N: OMG THE TIE SCENE!!! 😭😭 Who else is not okay?? Comment below! Should Maya go to the Hamptons with him? Vote + Add to library so you don’t miss Chapter 4: "Weekend in the Hamptons"_