The Maid's Deception Chapter 24 - 23: She Took Lunch To His Office

Aria woke the next morning to her alarm with her body aching in unfamiliar ways and her mind imdiately flooding with mories of the previous night.

Damien’s hands. His voice. The way he’d watched her fall apart with an intensity that had felt like being consud.

"You belong to ."

The words echoed in her mind as she dressed for the day, carefully tucking the necklace beneath her uniform collar. Her reflection looked the sa as always, but she felt fundantally changed. Like sothing inside her had shifted, realigned, would never quite return to its original position.

The staff kitchen was already bustling when she arrived at 6 AM. Lucy took one look at her and imdiately pulled her aside.

"Okay, that’s it. We’re talking. Now." Lucy’s expression was equal parts concerned and curious. "You’ve had that sa dazed look for three days now. And yesterday you literally stared at the sa bookshelf for ten minutes without moving. What is going on?"

Aria opened her mouth to deflect, but the words wouldn’t co. How could she explain that her carefully controlled life had been completely upended by a man who saw through every lie she told? That she was falling for soone she was supposed to be deceiving? That every night she spent in his arms made her mission feel more impossible?

"It’s complicated," she finally managed.

"Is it Mr. Blackwood?" Lucy’s voice dropped to a whisper. "Because Sarah, I’ve worked here for two years and I’ve never seen him look at anyone the way he looks at you. And you look at him like—" She stopped, shaking her head. "Like you’re drowning and he’s the only thing keeping you afloat."

The accuracy of that statent made Aria’s chest tighten.

Before she could respond, Mrs. Chen appeared in the doorway. Her sharp eyes swept over both of them, missing nothing.

"Sarah. Mr. Blackwood’s quarters need servicing. He left early for a breakfast eting but wants everything prepared for the evening."

The evening. Tonight. When she’d see him again.

"Of course, Mrs. Chen."

As Aria headed toward the stairs, she heard Lucy whisper to one of the other maids: "I give it two weeks before sothing major happens. The tension between them is insane."

If only you knew, Aria thought.

Damien’s bedroom felt different in the morning light. More intimate sohow, despite being empty. Or perhaps because it was empty and she was alone with the evidence of his private life, the space where he slept and dressed and existed when no one else was watching.

She stripped the bed with chanical efficiency, but her mind kept wandering to what Mrs. Chen had said. Prepared for the evening. What did that an? Another lesson? Another night of Damien systematically dismantling every defense she had?

She was remaking the bed with fresh linens ...the expensive Egyptian cotton ones that felt like silk against her skin... when her real phone buzzed in her pocket.

The hospital. Again.

Her hands were shaking as she answered. "This is Aria Chen."

"Miss Chen, this is Nurse Patricia. Your mother is asking for you. Her vitals are stable, but she’s quite insistent about speaking with you today."

Relief and guilt warred in Aria’s chest. "Can you transfer to her room?"

"Of course. One mont."

A click, then her mother’s voice: "Aria? Finally."

"Hi, Mama. How are you feeling?"

"Tired. Weak. Dying." Her mother’s tone was matter-of-fact. "The usual. When are you coming to visit?"

"Sunday, Mama. I promised. That’s only four more days."

"Four days might as well be four years when you’re stuck in a hospital bed." i’s voice softened slightly. "What’s wrong, baby girl? You sound different."

Aria sank onto the edge of Damien’s bed, surrounded by his scent, wearing his mark around her throat, and felt the weight of all her lies pressing down.

"I’m fine, Mama. Just adjusting to the new job."

"Mmm. And this job...it’s going well?"

"Yes. Very well."

"You’re lying to . I can hear it in your voice. You’ve always been a terrible liar when it cos to ." i paused, and Aria could practically see her mother’s knowing expression. "Who is he?"

"What?"

"The man. There’s a man. I can tell. You have that sa tone your father had when he was trying to hide his feelings for . Confused. Overwheld. A little bit terrified."

Aria’s throat tightened. "Mama..."

"It’s okay to be scared, Aria. Love is terrifying. Especially when it’s real. Especially when it matters." Her mother’s voice grew softer. "But don’t let fear make you do sothing you’ll regret. Don’t let it make you push away sothing good because you’re afraid of being hurt."

If only it were that simple.

"I have to go, Mama. My shift is starting soon."

"Aria Chen, don’t you dare hang up on ..."

"I love you. I’ll see you Sunday. I promise."

She ended the call before her mother could press further, before the guilt could overwhelm her completely.

She was finishing Damien’s room when Mrs. Chen appeared in the doorway.

"Sarah, there’s been a change to today’s schedule. Mr. Blackwood called. He wants you to bring lunch to his office at noon, but then you’re to take the rest of the afternoon off."

Aria blinked. "Off? Why?"

"He didn’t say. Just that you should rest and be ready for this evening." Mrs. Chen’s expression was carefully neutral, but sothing in her eyes suggested she knew more than she was saying. "He also left this for you."

She held out a small box.

Aria took it with trembling hands. Inside was another piece of jewelry....delicate gold earrings that matched the necklace perfectly. And a note in his bold handwriting:

Wear these tonight. Along with the necklace. I want to see my marks on you.

—D

"Thank you, Mrs. Chen."

The older woman lingered in the doorway. "Sarah...or whoever you really are...be very careful. Mr. Blackwood is brilliant and ruthless and absolutely relentless when he wants sothing. And right now, he wants you. That kind of focused attention from a man like him can be intoxicating. But it can also be dangerous."

She left before Aria could respond.

At noon, Aria prepared Damien’s lunch with extra care and carried it to his office on the ground floor, a different space from his private study upstairs. This was where he conducted official business, t with executives, ran his empire.

She knocked.

"Co in."

He was on a video call when she entered, gesturing for her to set down the tray while he continued speaking: "—the rger tiline is unacceptable. I told you we need six months minimum for due diligence. If they can’t wait, find different buyers... Yes, I’m aware of the market conditions. I don’t care. Quality over speed... Fine. Send the updated proposal by end of day."

He ended the call and looked at her, and the transition from ruthless CEO to the man who’d had his hands on her body last night was dizzying.

"Close the door."

She did.

"Lock it."

Her hands obeyed automatically now, muscle mory from previous encounters.

Damien stood and moved around his desk toward her. He looked tired with dark circles under his eyes suggesting he’d slept as poorly as she had...but no less commanding.

"Did you get my gift?"

"Yes. Thank you."

"You’ll wear them tonight?"

"Yes."

"Good." His hand ca up to cup her face, thumb brushing across her cheekbone. "I’ve been thinking about you all morning. About last night. About how beautiful you looked falling apart for ."

His touch made it hard to think, hard to rember all the reasons this was dangerous.

"I have etings all afternoon," Damien continued, "which is why I’m giving you ti off. I want you rested for tonight. What I have planned requires... stamina."

The promise in his voice sent heat flooding through her body.

"What are you planning?"

"You’ll find out at 8 PM." His thumb moved to trace her lower lip. "But I will tell you this....tonight, I’m going to taste you. Really taste you. Make you co with my mouth. And I’m going to take my ti doing it."

Aria’s knees went weak.

"I’ve been fantasizing about it since I t you," Damien murmured, his eyes dark. "About how you’ll taste. What sounds you’ll make. How your thighs will tremble when I push you to your limit. Whether you’ll be able to stay quiet or if you’ll scream."

"Damien—"

"Shh." His thumb pressed against her lips. "Don’t think about it too much. Don’t work yourself into a panic. Just rest, and tonight, let show you what real pleasure feels like."

He kissed her then...deep and consuming and absolutely devastating. When he pulled back, they were both breathing hard.

"Now go. Before I forget I have a company to run and decide to bend you over this desk instead."

She left on shaking legs, his words echoing in her mind