A familiar woman
Gia halted and her heart skipped a beat. Clutching the tea tray tightly, she battled to mask her nervousness.
Had he not accepted her apology?
The last thing she wanted to show was weakness but she also didn’t want to show too much of herself. Natalie made it clear about not being caught.
Then again, Ezra was heavily intoxicated that night. How could he know she wasn’t Natalie?
However, her subtle trembling betrayed her, fuelling a hint of displeasure in Ezra's eyes.
As he sat cross-legged on the sofa, his lips parted, he questioned in a deep tone.
"Do I resemble a dragon, perhaps?"
“A dragon?” Gia stared at him.
In the dark, there wasn’t time to take in his eyes, but they were mesmerising. She almost forgot he put her on the spot. She shook her head.
“I’m sorry, why would you resemble a dragon?”
“What else would make you so scared you’d spill hot tea on your hand?”
Gia bit her bottom lip and oddly the action made Ezra’s cock twitch. He didn’t understand why she wore the dumb mask. It was ridiculous however she could have a cold and not want to infect him but she didn’t sound like she was sick and if she was sick he didn’t understand why her employers made her work. The idea sickened him but it also startled him. Why did he care so much? She’s a maid. He tucked her in the back of his mind where she should remain.
“No, I was just nervous. I’m really sorry, Sir.”
Ezra withdrew his gaze convincing himself she was none of his concern.
Gia felt dismissed. She quickly slipped through the back door to her home.
Ezra's gaze darkened as he watched her hurried escape. He turned to the butler to ease his suspicions about the cherry blossom.
"Does the family have cherry blossom trees?"
"Yes, behind the house," Frank replied.
In the perpetually shadowed courtyard behind the Graham family's home, there stood a cherry blossom tree. One of the biggest in the neighbourhood.
Ezra nodded, no wonder, Natalie smelled of it. Last night was a blank page. He couldn’t be totally convinced he spent the night with the woman he intended to marry despite the pictures she took. He only trusted his memories but he didn’t even have those.
Ezra wasn’t a man who gave his trust away. He could spend lavishly on cars but his trust was a sacred thing. Just like his missing white pendant. Before jumping to conclusions he demanded the hotel be combed from top to bottom until it was found.
Just then, a crisp female voice rang out, "Ezra! I was expecting you.”
“I’m sure you were, Natalie.”
Natalie appeared in a light pink lace dress, short enough if she bent would expose her thong to the entire household. Her makeup was flawlessly applied and her hair was masterfully done. She was escorted by her parents. Eliot and Hanah Bentley
Eliot hurried forward, "Mr Warren, apologies for the delay. What brings you to our humble abode?”
As Eliot's voice trailed off, Ezra's gaze settled on Natalie. She seemed different than last night. He had gotten the impression of a young inexperienced girl frightened yet dangerous at once.
"I'm here today to discuss my engagement to your daughter.” Once the words left his mouth they were final.
“Engagement?” Eliot asked.
Ezra tugged on his jacket. “Your family is one of the strongest exporters in town. I’m sure an agreement between us can be met.”
Eliot’s eyes lit up with dollar signs. Ezra Warren was an untouchable man, yet the man had come to him with an offer he could not refuse. Knowing what his daughter had done he was well pleased. He shared a discreet glance with his wife. Their wealth was about to be cemented for the next few generations.
In just a couple of days, news of Ezra’s engagement to Natalie spread throughout the nation like wildfire, with hundreds of media outlets covering the story. The Bentley mansion was alive again with parties, frequent guests and several reports trying to sneak onto the property.
Because Ezra broke off his engagement with Esme and quickly got together with Natalie the media was eating the story up. Though, Gia kept her distance from it all. She had to go back to the hospital with her Mom. The doctors demanded more tests and asked for her to spend more time in the hospital. The stress was getting to her.
However, she still had to work. One afternoon after she got off school, Frank slammed a list of ingredients she needed to buy and then stock up in the pantry. A lot of it was to be used for Natalie’s party welcoming her new fiancé’s family.
Gia knew all too well that Frank was deliberately making things difficult for her because of the tea incident. There were so many other maids in the mansion but he chose to pick on her. None of the maids offered help anyway so Gia braved the chores alone.
The Warren family was expected tomorrow, and the Bentley household had been preparing all afternoon. However, before she went to the grocery store she had to see her Mom in the hospital who hadn’t woken from her nap. Gia got home late and had no choice but to get started on tomorrow’s dishes.
By the time the kitchen clock struck twelve, she’d finally finished prepping. She massaged her aching hands. She couldn’t wait to tuck into bed.
A door banged followed by quiet laughter. Gia’s blood chilled. Heels clicked against the tiles and Natalie appeared in the kitchen, gripping the wall for support.
She’s drunk, Gia thought. Gia hated being caught when Natalie was drunk and out of control. Natalie scanned the room and settled on Gia. Her laugh faded and her face twisted into disgust.
“Are you okay, Natalie?” Gia asked, stepping back.
“You…” Natalie slurred. “I know what you did!”
“I… I was a little late but I got things done.”
“Not that! I don’t care about mopping the floors. You’re incompetent Gia!” Natalie yelled, she could have woken the household.
Gia dipped her head and bit the inside of her cheek. Talking to Natalie in this state was useless. She had to allow her to rant until she was ready to go upstairs and sleep it off.
Gia was about to do that but Natalie scowled and slapped her across the face suddenly. Gia's cheek tingled with pain as the tension she'd held all day tightened once more.
“What—” Gia started.
“Shut up! You’re a loose end, Gianna.”
“I did what you asked. We had a deal,” Gia spat, feeling the sting of Natalie’s palm on her cheek.
“I warned you. He can’t find out! Never. I won’t let you ruin this. You’re just a maid. You’re no one.”
Was Natalie this angry because Ezra saw her the day he announced their engagement? That was the only logical thing. Gia had done her best to avoid the heiress since then. Now Natalie was drunk and Gia had been caught like a deer in headlights.