The boss's maid

Untitled Episode.The jealousy

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*Chapter 7: The Jealousy Scene

The gala was my idea of hell wrapped in silk.

"Wear this," Henry had said, handing me a black dress in a garment bag. "You're coming as my date."

"Date? Sir we have a contract. I'm staff—"

"Just wear it, Anita." His voice left no room to argue.

So here I was. In a dress that hugged every curve and cost more than 6 months rent. Heels that made my legs look a mile long. Hair curled. Makeup done by someone he hired.

In a room full of Port Harcourt's rich and powerful. On Henry Wilson's arm.

*Urban. Powerful Couples. Opposite Attraction.* All in one night.

The Wilson Group charity gala. Crystal chandeliers. String quartet. People who had last names on buildings.

And then SHE walked in.

Victoria.

Tall. Blonde. In a red gown that screamed "I own this room." The woman from his phone. The woman the board wanted him to marry.

"Henry, darling," she said, air-kissing both his cheeks. Her perfume hit me before she did. "The board is so excited about the merger."

Her blue eyes flicked to me. Cold. Assessing.

"And who is this?"

"My assistant," Henry said quickly. Too quickly. His hand tightened on my back.

Victoria smiled. "Of course."

The rest of the night was torture.

I watched her touch his arm. Laugh too loud at his jokes. Whisper in his ear while her hand rested on his chest.

*Drama.* Pure, expensive drama.

I was supposed to be invisible. A contract. A maid. A placeholder.

But when Henry came back from the bar with 2 champagne flutes, he handed me one.

"You've barely eaten," he murmured, low enough only I could hear.

"I'm not hungry."

"Because of her?"

I looked up, shocked. "What?"

"You've been glaring at Victoria all night." His mouth quirked on one side. "Jealous, Anita?"

*Opposite Attraction.* My heart was pounding.

"No," I lied, looking away. "Why would I be jealous? This is just a contract."

"Is it?" He stepped closer. The band started playing a slow song. People began dancing. "Because I don't like her touching me."

"Then tell her."

"I did." He leaned down. I could smell his cologne mixed with whiskey. It made me dizzy. "I told the board this morning. I already have someone."

My breath caught. "Henry, you can't— the merger—"

"Can't what?" His hand found the small of my back. Warm. Possessive. Rule #1 completely shattered. "Can't want you? Can't choose you over a $50 million deal?"

Across the room, Victoria was watching us. Her smile was gone. Her champagne flute was gripping too tight.

"Everyone's looking," I whispered. My face was burning.

"Let them look." His thumb brushed against my back through the thin fabric. "Anita, I—"

"Sir!" Mr. Davis cut in, sweating. "Victoria's father would like a word about the contract. In private."

Henry's jaw ticked. He dropped his hand like he'd been burned.

"Duty calls," he said bitterly. "Stay here. Don't go anywhere."

I nodded. But when I turned, Victoria was right behind me.

"So," she said sweetly. Too sweetly. "How long have you been... working for Henry?"

"6 months," I said, lifting my chin.

"Interesting." She sipped her champagne, eyes never leaving mine. "Because Henry doesn't do 6 months. He does mergers and acquisitions. He does business."

"Maybe I'm different."

"Maybe." She smiled. "Or maybe you're just a convenient placeholder until the merger goes through. Until he gets bored."

She walked away, leaving me with nausea in my throat.

I escaped to the balcony. The night air of Port Harcourt was cool against my skin. The whole city glittered below us.

30 minutes later I heard footsteps.

"There you are," Henry said. "I was looking for— what's wrong?"

"Nothing."

"Liar." He came to me. "What did she say?"

"Nothing that isn't true." I wrapped my arms around myself. "I'm just a placeholder, right? Until the merger. Until something better comes along."

Henry's face went hard. "Who told you that?"

"Does it matter?"

"Yes." He stepped closer. Then closer again. Until I could feel the heat from his body. "Anita, look at me."

I did. My eyes were stinging.

"I don't want Victoria. I don't want the merger. I don't want any of it." He stopped. Swore under his breath. "Damn it."

"What?" My voice shook.

"I want you."

*Forced Love.* No longer forced.

The city lights blurred behind him.

"Say something," he said. His voice was rough. Desperate. "Please."

I couldn't. Because if I said what I felt, there was no going back. The contract would mean nothing.

So I did the only thing I could.

I rose on my toes and kissed him.

His lips were warm and tasted like champagne. For a second he froze. Like he couldn't believe it.

Then his arms came around me. One hand in my hair, the other pulling me flush against him.

It wasn't soft. It wasn't careful.

It was 6 months of wanting. Of late night calls. Of coffee accidents. Of "except you."

It was powerful and desperate and real.

When we broke apart we were both breathing hard.

"Anita—"

"Don't," I whispered. "Don't make me regret this."

"I won't." He brushed his thumb across my cheek. "I promise you I won't."

Behind us, the ballroom doors opened. Footsteps.

We jumped apart.

Victoria stood in the doorway. She saw everything.

Her eyes met mine. Then Henry's.

And she smiled. A cold, knowing smile.

"This should be interesting for the board," she said, and walked away.

Henry cursed. He grabbed my hand.

"Come on. We're leaving."

"But the gala—"

"I don't care about the gala." He was already pulling me toward the exit. "I care about you."

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