The Maid's Deception-Chapter 12 - 11: Expecting Julian

*****

Aria fled back to the bedroom, her heart racing. What the hell was he doing? Why was he involving her in his clothing choices? Why did every interaction with him feel charged with something she couldn’t name?

She finished making the bed with mechanical precision, then moved to dust the furniture. She was cleaning his nightstand when she noticed it a book, face-down, as if he’d been reading before falling asleep.

The Count of Monte Cristo. Her favorite.

Before she could process what that coincidence meant, Damien emerged from the closet fully dressed. The charcoal suit fit him perfectly, emphasizing his broad shoulders and lean build. With the gray tie and his damp hair swept back, he looked every inch the powerful CEO.

Devastating.

"Better," he said, more to himself than to her, adjusting his cuffs. "You have good instincts, Ms. Mitchell."

"Thank you, sir."

He moved to his desk, gathering papers and sliding them into a leather briefcase. "I have meetings all day. I’ll need lunch brought to my office at noon same as yesterday. Mrs. Chen knows my preferences."

"Of course."

"And Sarah?"

The use of her first name made her look up.

He was watching her with that penetrating gaze that seemed to see through every defense. "You’re doing well. Much better than I expected for your first full day."

"Thank you, sir."

"Don’t thank me yet. The real test comes later." He grabbed his briefcase and headed for the door, pausing at the threshold. "Oh, and one more thing. Tonight I’m having a business associate over for drinks. I’ll need the library prepared whiskey selection set up, glasses, appropriate ambiance. Mrs. Chen will give you the details."

"Understood."

"Good." He looked at her for one more long moment, something unreadable in his expression. "I think you’re going to work out very well here, Sarah Mitchell. Very well indeed."

Then he was gone, leaving her alone in his bedroom with the scent of his cologne lingering in the air and her heart pounding for reasons that had nothing to do with the mission.

The rest of the morning passed in a blur. Aria finished with Damien’s room noting every detail, every potential access point, filing it all away for later. Then she moved on to other assignments with Lucy, cleaning guest rooms and public spaces.

But her mind wasn’t on the work. It was replaying every moment in that bedroom. The way he’d looked at her. The casual intimacy of seeing him half-dressed. The strange test with the ties.

"Earth to Sarah!" Lucy waved a hand in front of her face. "You’ve been wiping that same spot for like two minutes. What’s going on?"

"Sorry. Just tired."

"You okay? You seem... I don’t know. Distracted."

"I’m fine. Just adjusting to the schedule."

But she wasn’t fine. She was confused and unsettled and acutely aware that something was happening something beyond her carefully planned mission.

At noon, she prepared Damien’s lunch tray with the same meticulous attention to detail. Carried it up to his study. Knocked and entered when he called out.

He was on a video call, gesturing sharply at someone on the screen. "That’s unacceptable. I told you the deadline was firm... I don’t care about their excuses. Find another supplier. I want this resolved by end of day."

He ended the call and looked at her, his expression shifting from cold anger to something warmer. "Lunch. Perfect timing."

She set the tray on his desk, hyperaware of his proximity, of the way his eyes tracked her movements.

"Thank you, Sarah."

"You’re welcome, sir. Will there be..."

"Yes. Sit."

Not again.

"Sir, I really should....."

"Sit." The command was soft but absolute. "We need to discuss tonight."

Aria sat, keeping her posture perfect, her expression neutral.

Damien leaned back in his chair, studying her. "My business associate tonight Julian Pierce. He’s a childhood friend and a major investor. This meeting is important."

"I understand, sir."

"Do you?" He picked up his fork, spearing a piece of salmon, but his eyes never left her face. "Julian is very observant. Very good at reading people. If anything is off if service isn’t perfect he’ll notice."

"I’ll make sure everything is flawless."

"I know you will." He took a bite, chewed thoughtfully. "But there’s another thing you should know about Julian."

"Sir?"

"He has a weakness for beautiful women." Damien’s tone was casual, but something dark flickered in his eyes. "He’ll try to charm you. Make conversation. Maybe even flirt. I need you to be professional. Polite but distant. Can you do that?"

Beautiful women. Was he saying...

"Of course, sir. I understand professional boundaries."

"Good." But he didn’t look satisfied. If anything, he looked... irritated. "Because Julian doesn’t understand boundaries the way he should. And I’d hate to have to damage a business relationship because he forgot how to behave appropriately around my staff."

There was something possessive in his tone. Something that made Aria’s stomach flutter.

He’s just protecting his investment, she told herself. Making sure his staff isn’t harassed. That’s all.

But it didn’t feel like that’s all.

"Is there anything else, sir?"

"Yes." He set down his fork and leaned forward. "I’ve been watching you these past two days. You’re intelligent. Observant. You notice details others miss."

Her heart started racing. Did he suspect...

"That’s valuable," he continued. "I like having smart people around me. People who can anticipate needs, who understand nuance. You have that quality."

"Thank you, sir." 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝔀𝓮𝒃𝙣𝓸𝒗𝒆𝒍.𝙘𝒐𝒎

"But intelligence can be dangerous if misdirected." His eyes bore into hers. "I hope you’ll use your considerable talents to be an asset to this household, Sarah. And not..." He paused, letting the silence stretch. "...anything else."

The threat was subtle but unmistakable.

He knew something. Maybe not everything, but something.

"I’m just here to work, sir," Aria said carefully. "To do my job well and earn my place."

"Of course you are." His smile didn’t reach his eyes. "That will be all. I’ll see you tonight. 7 PM in the library."

Dismissed.

Aria stood and left, her legs shaking slightly.

He knows. He definitely knows something. does he?

But how much? And more importantly what was he planning to do about it?