The maids had arrived in the room so early in the morning, and by 7:am they were done preparing me for breakfast. In their words, their master didn't like to be late for breakfast.
They led me down the stairs. The house smelled of lemon polish and expensive coffee. My pulse stayed even. I had learned how to look calm.
There were servants moving through every corner of the mansion, either cleaning or settling things down.
"I heard master brought back a woman last night. I wonder who she is." A maid murmured. The words slipped into my ears like a breeze. Curiosity tugged at me. So far, Mr Greg's maids have not been mean to me, maybe because they had no idea of my reputation outside of these walls.
Which I was grateful for. This place looked so different from the outside world.
"She's so pretty. Even prettier than Miss Rain," another said. I straightened without thinking. Of course I was pretty. Anyone who said otherwise simply couldn't see.
"She looks like a celebrity." A little thrill ran through me. Celebrity for scandals, yes gladly. My musics weren't famous yet, but scandals made people watch my every move. Since the day I was reborn till this very moment, I haven't once escaped any scandal.
"Oh, Miss Rain will be furious." Someone laughed.
"Let her be, that evil nasty bitch. I hope master marries the new madam."
"Yes, he looked so happy last night." Another said.
"We've only known them for a night Ruth. How do you know master is already attracted to her, plus he announced her as his guest." Another said.
"You're right..."
"What are you three doing here gossiping at this hour of the day? Get to work immediately." A louder voice echoed and I guess it belonged to Bridgette.
"We're sorry Madam Bridgette." They said in unison and their voice faded from my ears.
Another maid took my hand and guided me toward the dining room. Light spilled across the marble floors. There was a table filled with varieties of breakfast dishes and the aroma alone was enough to feel you stomach.
Becky rushed up from the other side, phone in hand, a dark crease between her brows. She looked like she hadn't slept all night. Like she's been working.
"Miss Maeve." She sounded small. "This is bad."
"What now?" I asked, calm as a still lake.
"Remember the management company we applied for last week? They've rejected your proposal." She said. I knew it was going to happen. No one wanted to be associated with evil people. It would ruin their brands.
"Well, then, you can be my manager for the time being." I smiled. I didn't want anything to ruin my day, but I couldn't escape my reality either.
"Also, Silver Crown is threatening to drop you unless you publicly apologize to Rae. They claim you hurt her and stole her song." Becky's words stumbled out fast.
I let that sit for a beat, then smiled the way you smile at a mean wind. "Fred is a barking dog. He's mad because I refused him. He only wants attention." I said.
"It's said that Miss Rae has been admitted in the hospital. Her team claim you knew about her illness and purposely decided to punish her because she now shines better." I could feel the anger in Becky's tone as she read the news out to me. "They may sue." She added.
"This is the most absurd accusation, but they can easily win you because they have the public on their side." I sighed.
"Then let's apologize and ease the tension." I said.
"But wouldn't that be you accepting to stealing her songs and straining her voice?" Backy asked.
"Even if I deny everything, it wouldn't change the public's perception about me. There's no need to keep trying to gain their validation. It's time for me to pay them back everything they did to me." I said with a smile.
"I don't know how you manage to smile with everything going on Miss Maeve. You're really a fighter." Becky said calmly.
"Peace of mind Beck's. It's one thing I learned from my mother while she was alive. Call Fred and tell him I'm willing to apologize to Rae for stealing her song."
"Are you sure miss Maeve, you'll be destroying your career for good after this."
I leaned in, low and sure. "I am. It's so easy Beck's. We play their game. We give them the apology they want on our terms. Then we show everyone the truth, why I left Fred, and who really broke what. If he wants to burn me, I'll learn to set fires in return."
Becky blinked, "What can we use to expose them?"
"When the time comes Beck's. I have an even better plan." I smiled.
Just then, the door opened and a familiar figure stepped in. My heart skipped in a way at the sight of him, which I had no idea why.
Clayton Grey had his usual frown as he stepped in. He wore a black coat that framed his broad shoulders perfectly, his crisp shirt tucked neatly into matching trousers. He looked like sin dressed in perfection, cold, expensive, and untouchable. The kind of man every woman knew she shouldn't stare at… yet couldn't look away from.
His dark eyes swept across the room until they found me. The moment they did, I forgot how to breathe. It was ridiculous, the way my pulse quickened. I wasn't the type to get flustered around men other than Fred, but around him, I... did...
"Good morning, wife." His voice was low and deep, carrying that steady authority that could silence a crowd. He didn't smile, he never did, but the way his eyes lingered on me made my stomach tighten.
Wife?
I thought he said we weren't officially married until I did a proper proposal?
"G... Good morning," I managed, hating the way my voice trembled. Why did I always sound like a fool in front of him?
He walked toward me, his steps slow and deliberate. When he reached my side, he took my hand without asking. His palm was warm, firm, commanding, and I could feel the faint brush of his thumb against my skin. It wasn't much, but it sent a shiver through me.
"Sit," he said simply, pulling out a chair with one hand. The movement was so effortless, yet strangely intimate.
I sat down quietly, trying to steady my heartbeat.
Then he took the seat beside me, close enough that I could smell his cologne, clean, dark, and addictive...