The grumpy boss sweet wife

Chapter 7: The Dinner Date

Damien's 9 PM warning.

Aryan's 9 PM invitation.

I had to choose one.

part A: Two Invitations,One Night

My apartment felt like a war zone.

On the table: a red rose with a key.

On my phone: two messages.

Message 1: Did you get my gift? - A

Message 2: We need to talk. My place. 9 PM. - Damien

Both at 9 PM.

Both from a man named A.

Coincidence? I didn't think so.

I called Riya again.

"Tell me what to do," I said.

"Easy," she replied. "Go to the hotter one."

"Riya!"

"Fine. Don't go to either. It's too risky."

But I couldn't ignore Damien. He was my boss.

And I couldn't ignore Aryan. He had a key to something.

At 8:30 PM, I was still in my pajamas, panicking.

Another message popped up. Unknown number.

Address: The Glass House Restaurant. Table for 2. 9 PM. - A

The Glass House was Aryan's restaurant. Expensive. Romantic.

Damien's place was 10 minutes from my apartment.

Aryan's was 40 minutes away.

My heart was pounding. Clause 8 said Damien owned my personal time.

But a part of me... wanted to know what was in that box.

At 8:55 PM, I made my choice.

I grabbed my bag and ran out.

part B: The Glass House

The Glass House was all lights and glass.

Waiters in black suits. Women in dresses.

And I was in jeans and a simple top.

"Reservation?" the host asked.

"Under A," I said.

He smiled. "Right this way, Ms. Aarya."

My stomach dropped. How did he know my name?

Aryan was already sitting. Candlelight. Two glasses of wine.

He stood up when he saw me. That same melt-ice smile.

"You came," he said softly. "I wasn't sure you would."

"I almost didn't," I admitted.

He pulled out my chair. "You made the right choice."

The dinner started normal. Small talk. Work talk.

He was charming. Too charming. He asked about my family, my dreams.

No one had asked me that in months.

Then he slid the key across the table.

"This opens a locker," he said. "Inside is information. About the contract. About Damien."

"What kind of information?"

"The kind that can set you free, Aarya."

Before I could answer, my phone buzzed.

Damien.

Missed Call: 1

Missed Call: 2

Missed Call: 3

Then a text: Where are you?

My hands started shaking.

Aryan saw it. His smile faded.

"He's calling you?"

I nodded.

Aryan leaned in. "Then let's give him something to be jealous about."

He reached across the table and took my hand.

part C: Caught

The restaurant door opened with a bang.

Everyone turned.

Damien.

In a black suit. Tie loose. Eyes like fire.

He looked furious. And hurt.

"Aarya," he said. My name sounded like a curse in his mouth.

Aryan didn't let go of my hand. "Damien. Fancy seeing you here."

"Let go of her," Damien said. His voice was low. Dangerous.

"Or what?" Aryan challenged.

The whole restaurant was watching.

I pulled my hand away from both of them.

"Stop it. Both of you."

Damien walked to our table. He didn't look at Aryan. Only at me.

"I told you 9 PM. My place."

"I had plans," I said. My voice was small.

"With him?" He finally looked at Aryan. "The man trying to ruin me?"

Aryan stood up too. "I'm trying to save her from you, Damien. That contract is illegal."

"And you care about her?" Damien laughed bitterly. "You don't even know her name yesterday."

"Enough!" I shouted.

Both men went silent.

I grabbed the key from the table and the rose from the vase.

"I don't belong to either of you," I said. "Not because of a contract. Not because of a dinner."

I walked out. Leaving both of them behind.

Outside, it was raining.

My phone buzzed.

Damien: Come home. Now.

Aryan: Meet me tomorrow. Please.

I deleted both messages.

For the first time in 6 months, I made a choice for myself.

But the key in my hand felt heavy.

What was Damien hiding?

And why did Aryan want me to know?

End of Chapter 7