The Maid's Deception-Chapter 52 - 51: The Rival

ARIA’S POV

Aria woke the next morning with her body aching in unfamiliar ways. Her ass was still tender from the spanking, marked with what she was sure were bruises. Her thighs ached. Her entire body felt claimed, used, thoroughly owned.

And despite everything.....despite the jealousy and fury and punishment.....she’d loved it.

What was wrong with her?

She showered carefully, wincing as the hot water hit her sensitive skin, and dressed in her regular uniform. The formal event was over. Today she’d return to her normal duties, serving breakfast, cleaning rooms, pretending to be just Sarah Mitchell, unremarkable maid.

Except she wasn’t unremarkable anymore. Not to Damien. Not after everything they’d done.

Her phone buzzed as she was leaving her room. A text from Damien:

Come to the greenhouse at 2 PM. I have something to show you. Something important.

Her heart leaped into her throat. The greenhouse. He wanted to take her back to where the Vitalis Radix was kept. Why? What was he planning?

Before she could respond, another text came through. This one from Marcus, her friend checking on her mother:

Aria, your mom’s been moved to critical care. The doctors are saying 3 weeks , maybe less. I’m so sorry. If you’re going to do something, you need to be fast

The words blurred as tears filled her eyes. Forty-eight hours. Two days. Her mother had two days left.

And Damien wanted to take her to the greenhouse this afternoon.

Was this....could this be....

No. She couldn’t let herself hope. Couldn’t assume he was going to just give her what she needed. That would be too easy, too perfect.

But what if he was?

She forced herself to respond to Damien: I’ll be there at 2.

Then to Marcus: I know. I’m handling it. Tell her I love her.

She needed to get through the morning. Needed to focus on her duties. Needed to not fall apart before 2 PM.

At breakfast service, Mrs. Chen pulled her aside.

"Sarah, we have a guest arriving today. Victoria Ashford. She’ll be staying for two nights."

Aria’s stomach dropped. She knew that name. Victoria Ashford....socialite, heiress, daughter of one of the wealthiest families in Chicago. She’d come across the name multiple times during her research on Damien.

"Is she....does Mr. Blackwood have business with her family?"

"In a manner of speaking." Mrs. Chen’s expression was carefully neutral. "Miss Ashford has been... pursuing Mr. Blackwood for several years. Her family is eager for a match. Mr. Blackwood has been politely declining, but the Ashfords are persistent."

Oh. So Victoria wanted Damien. Wanted to be Mrs. Blackwood.

The jealousy that flooded through Aria was immediate and irrational. Victoria was everything Aria wasn’t....wealthy, connected, socially acceptable. The kind of woman who could actually be with Damien publicly, legitimately.

While Aria was just a maid. A liar. Someone playing a role.

"You’ll be assigned to her rooms," Mrs. Chen continued. "She’s requested a maid for her personal service during her stay. Be professional. Be courteous. And Sarah...." Her eyes were sharp. "Be careful. Miss Ashford can be... difficult."

"I understand."

At 11 AM, a luxury car pulled up to the estate’s main entrance. Aria watched from an upstairs window as a woman emerged...tall, blonde, elegant in a way that screamed old money. She wore a designer dress that probably cost more than Aria made in a year, and she moved with the confidence of someone who’d never been told no.

Victoria Ashford had arrived.

Mrs. Chen directed Aria to escort Miss Ashford to her rooms and ensure she had everything she needed.

Aria knocked on the guest suite door at 11:30, after Victoria had been given time to settle in.

"Come in!"

She pushed the door open and stepped inside. Victoria stood by the window, examining her reflection in a compact mirror, touching up already perfect makeup.

"Miss Ashford, I’m Sarah. Mrs. Chen assigned me to see to your needs during your stay. Is there anything I can get for you?"

Victoria turned, and her eyes swept over Aria with cold assessment. Dismissive. Like Aria was furniture.

"Sarah," she repeated, her voice cultured and sharp. "How quaint. Tell me, Sarah, how long have you worked here?"

"A few weeks, ma’am."

"Weeks. How interesting." Victoria’s smile didn’t reach her eyes. "And has Damien been... attentive to his new staff?"

The question was loaded with implication. Aria kept her expression neutral. "Mr. Blackwood treats all staff professionally, ma’am."

"I’m sure he does." Victoria’s eyes narrowed slightly. "Though I noticed you serving at the event last night. Damien seemed quite focused on you. Pulled you away for some private matter, didn’t he?"

Aria’s stomach twisted. Victoria had noticed. Had been watching.

"Mr. Blackwood needed assistance with something, yes ma’am."

"Hmm." Victoria set down her compact and crossed to where Aria stood. She was taller, which she used to her advantage, looking down at Aria with barely concealed hostility. "Let me be very clear, Sarah. Damien and I have an understanding. Our families have been planning our union for years. Whatever little... distraction... he might be amusing himself with is temporary."

"I’m sure I don’t know what you mean, ma’am."

"Don’t play coy. It’s beneath you." Victoria’s voice was ice. "I’ve seen this before. Pretty young maids who think they’re special because Damien pays them attention. But that’s all it is....attention. Amusement. He’ll tire of you soon enough, and then you’ll be dismissed like all the others before you."

The words hit harder than they should have. Because part of Aria feared they were true. That she was just another obsession. That this thing between them was temporary.

"I’m just here to do my job, ma’am. Nothing more."

"Good. See that it stays that way." Victoria turned back to the window, dismissing her. "You can go. I’ll call if I need anything."

Aria fled the room, her hands shaking, Victoria’s words echoing in her mind.

He’ll tire of you soon enough.

Dismissed like all the others before you.

Was that what this was? Was she just the latest in a series? Would he eventually grow bored and send her away like that maid Lucy had mentioned.....the one who’d been dismissed without explanation?

She made it to an empty corridor before the tears started.

This was stupid. She shouldn’t care. She was here for a mission, not a relationship. She was going to betray Damien anyway, so what did it matter if Victoria wanted him?

But it did matter. God help her, it mattered so much.

DAMIEN’S POV

Damien was in his study reviewing contracts when Marcus knocked.

"Mr. Blackwood, Miss Ashford has arrived and is settled in her rooms."

"Wonderful," Damien said flatly. "Make sure she has everything she needs and keep her entertained. I’m busy."

"She’s asked to see you, sir. Says it’s important."

Of course she had. Victoria always had something "important" to discuss, which inevitably turned into thinly veiled propositions and reminders of their families’ expectations.

"Tell her I’ll see her at dinner. I have work to do."

"Sir....." Marcus hesitated. "She was asking about Sarah. About the maid who was serving last night. I think she may have noticed....."

"Noticed what?" Damien’s voice turned sharp.

"The attention you paid to her. Miss Ashford is very observant. And very territorial."

Damien’s jaw clenched. This was exactly what he didn’t need. Victoria causing problems. Making Aria feel insecure or threatened.

"Where is Sarah now?"

"I believe she’s cleaning the west wing guest rooms."

"Find her. Tell her to come to my study in thirty minutes."

"Yes, sir."

After Marcus left, Damien pulled out his phone and sent a text to his head of security:

I want to know every interaction Victoria Ashford has with Sarah Mitchell. If Victoria says anything inappropriate or threatening, I want to know immediately.

He didn’t trust Victoria. She had a history of being vindictive toward women she perceived as threats. And if she’d noticed his attention to Aria...which apparently she had....she’d see Aria as a threat.

Which meant Aria was in danger of a completely different kind than he’d anticipated.

At 1 PM, there was a soft knock on his door.

"Come in."

Aria entered, and he could immediately tell something was wrong. Her eyes were red-rimmed, her posture defensive. Someone had upset her.

"Close the door."

She did, and he stood from behind his desk, crossing to her.

"What happened?"

"Nothing. I’m fine."

"Don’t lie to me." His hand cupped her face, tilting it up so she had to meet his eyes. "What happened?"

Her lower lip trembled. "Victoria Ashford. She....she said some things."

"What things?"

"That you and she have an understanding. That your families are planning a union. That I’m just....." Her voice cracked. "Just a temporary distraction. That you’ll tire of me and dismiss me like all the others."

Rage flooded through Damien, cold and absolute. Victoria had threatened Aria. Had made her feel insecure. Had dared to suggest that what he felt was temporary.

"Look at me," he commanded, and Aria’s tear-filled eyes met his. "Victoria Ashford is delusional. There is no understanding between us. No planned union. Her family wishes there were, but I’ve made my position clear multiple times....I’m not interested."

"But she said...."

"I don’t care what she said. She’s lying. Trying to scare you away because she sees you as a threat." His thumbs brushed away her tears. "And she should see you as a threat. Because you’re the only woman I want. The only one who matters."

"How can you say that? She’s....she’s perfect for you. Wealthy. Connected. Appropriate. And I’m just...."

"You’re everything," he interrupted fiercely. "You’re brilliant and strong and beautiful and you make me feel things I’ve never felt before. Things that terrify me and exhilarate me and make me want to burn the whole world down just to keep you safe."

Fresh tears spilled down her cheeks. "Damien....."

"I’m going to deal with Victoria," he said, his voice hard. "She won’t bother you again. I promise."

"You don’t have to....."

"Yes, I do." He pulled her close, holding her tight. "Because you’re mine. And I protect what’s mine."

They stood like that for a moment, just holding each other, before Damien remembered why he’d called her here in the first place.

"We still need to go to the greenhouse at 2," he said quietly. "There’s something I need to show you. Something important. Are you still able to come?"

She nodded against his chest. "Yes."

"Good." He pulled back to look at her. "Go rest for a bit. Wash your face. And meet me at the north entrance at 2."

"Okay."

She started to leave, but he caught her hand.

"Serah?"

She turned back.

"Victoria’s wrong. About everything. What’s between us isn’t temporary. It isn’t a distraction. It’s...." He paused, searching for words. "It’s everything I didn’t know I needed. Don’t let her make you doubt that."

She nodded, new tears streaming down her face, and left before he could see her completely break down.

After she was gone, Damien pulled out his phone and sent a text to Marcus:

Arrange a meeting with Victoria Ashford. My office. 5 PM. And make it clear that this conversation is not optional.

He was done playing nice. Done allowing Victoria’s delusions. Done letting anyone make Aria feel like she was anything less than the most important person in his world.

Victoria wanted to play games? Fine. But she was about to learn that when it came to Aria, Damien didn’t play. He dominated. He destroyed. He protected what was his.

And God help anyone who got in his way.

*******

ARIA’S POV - 1:45 PM

Aria splashed cold water on her face in the staff bathroom, trying to compose herself.

Damien’s words echoed in her mind. You’re everything. It’s everything I didn’t know I needed.

He cared about her. Really cared. More than just possession or obsession. He had feelings.....real feelings.....that went beyond the physical.

Which made what she was about to do even more devastating.

Because in fifteen minutes, he was taking her to the greenhouse. To show her something "important." And she had a terrible, wonderful feeling that he was going to offer her the Vitalis Radix. Was going to give her what she’d come to steal.

And if he did...if he just gave it to her, no strings attached....she’d have to tell him the truth. Would have to confess everything. Would have to watch his face as he realized that every moment between them had been built on lies.

She’d lose him. Even if he saved her mother, she’d lose him.

The thought was almost unbearable.

But her mother’s life was worth it. Had to be worth it.

She checked her reflection one more time...eyes still red but no longer crying, face composed....and headed for the north entrance.

Damien was already there, waiting, looking devastating in dark jeans and a fitted henley. Casual. Approachable. The man she’d fallen in love with rather than the intimidating CEO.

"Ready?" he asked, offering his hand.

She took it, her heart hammering. "Yes."

They walked in silence toward the restricted area, and with each step, Aria felt like she was walking toward either salvation or destruction.

Maybe both.