The Maid's Confession

Chapter 13

Alice 

I rushed into the living room, my heart pounding… and just like George said, Leo was safe. He was a little shaken, but unharmed. He sat on the couch, wide-eyed and clutching a pillow, looking both scared and confused.

The minute he spotted me, he jumped up and ran straight into my arms, sobbing.

“Mommy… some people tried to take me,” he whimpered, his voice trembling. “Big men… with hard faces.”

I dropped to my knees and held him close, pressing a kiss to his forehead. “Oh baby, I’m so sorry,” I whispered as I ran my hand through his curls. “I should have been here. But I’m here now, okay? No one’s going to hurt you.”

“That’s right, son,” George said gently, stepping forward. He placed a comforting hand on Leo’s head. “From now on, I won’t let anyone get near you. I promise.”

Leo looked up at him, his eyes still gleaming with fear, but he nodded gently.

George leaned down and kissed his forehead. “Alright, buddy… let’s go inside. Maria will stay with you. Mommy and I need to talk for a minute.”

Leo nodded again, still watching him closely. Before he could speak, Maria stepped in, scooping him gently into her arms.

Then, she turned towards George… stopping just close enough that their faces were inches apart. Her voice was calm, but deadly serious.

“Sir… I need to speak with you.”

George stilled. The look in her eyes was unlike anything he’d seen from her before. She never spoke like this. Something about it made the air feel heavier.

Still, he didn’t hesitate.

“Alright,” he said, locking eyes with her. “What is it?” 

“It’s about Mr. Brooks… Thomas Brooks.”

George’s eyes narrowed, tension creeping into his jaw. “What about him?”

Maria hesitated, drawing in a shaky breath like she was trying to pick her words carefully. And then… she lost it. Tears spilled from her eyes as she dropped to her knees, trembling.

“He’s been scheming a lot lately,” she whispered through the sobs. Slowly, she reached into the side of her dress and pulled out a small recording tape. “This is one of them.”

George took the tape from her, inspecting it with wary eyes. His thumb brushed over the button, and with a soft click, the recording began to play.

“I need him dead in the next twenty-four hours. Don’t you dare leave any stone unturned.”

George’s hand tightened around the tape as his eyes widened. Fury twisted in his face, his jaw clenched like stone.

“It’s him,” he said under his breath, his voice low and cold. His fists curled, the muscles in his arms straining.

But Maria wasn’t done yet.

“There’s more, sir,” she whispered, her voice barely audible. George turned back to her sharply.

“The real threat… is that he’s planning to abduct Leo during his birthday gala. He wants to use him as leverage… for the flash drive.”

“What?!” The word tore out of my throat before I could stop it. “How does he even know about Leo’s birthday, let alone the gala?”

“Thomas is desperate. He always finds a way,” George said grimly, turning toward me. His eyes met mine, full of reassurance. “But not this time, Alice. I’ll stop him… even if it means losing everything I’ve got.”

“We need to act fast, sir,” Maria urged, her voice breaking with panic. “Thomas is closer than we think. He has everything planned out… and he won't stop until he has succeeded.”

I barely had time to process it all when my phone suddenly buzzed beside me. I grabbed it instantly, my eyes locking on the screen.

My heart jumped the moment an unknown number lit up the screen. I didn’t hesitate. Something about the timing… about everything that had happened… told me this call wasn’t random.

I swiped to answer… and my breath caught the moment I heard it.

Samantha’s cold, cruel and mocking voice.

“Alice… Alice,” she drawled, her voice dripping with scorn. From the very way she spoke, I knew she was enjoying this. She was part of it… all of it.

My heart pounded even harder, threatening to fall from my ribcage. Then her laughter crackled through the line.

“I'm sure you're surprised to hear my voice.” There was a little pause, seizing the air from my lungs. Then she continued, her voice drifting to a cold whisper. “You thought you could run away from me, huh? Oh, dear Alice… you brought this on yourself. Have fun with Leo while you still have him.”

Before I could even breathe, the call went dead… the silence afterwards sending a cold shiver down my spine.

This wasn't just a threat… it was a confirmation of everything Maria had just told us. Thomas and Samantha were still up on their games to frustrate me… the thought alone made my stomach twist.

“What's up?” Thomas quizzed, stepping close as he noticed the shift in my expression. “Who was that?”

I fixed him a quick glance, not sure whether to tell him about it or just bottle it up and escape with Leo. But I spilled it all out before I even realized it.

George couldn't contain his anger this time. His jaw tightened even harder. “They want war… and war they'll get.” He gripped my hand firmly. “Come with me.”

He pulled me without another word, and led me towards his room. The door shut behind us with a firm click, and he let go of my hand only when I was sitting on the bed.

“Listen to me, Alice,” he began, lowering himself beside me. His hands settled gently on my shoulders. “I know this is too much. Too fast. Too painful. But you have to stay strong… for yourself… for Leo. We’re in this together. Your company is at stake. Leo’s life is in danger. Our lives are on the line. We can’t afford to lose everything now, okay?”

I met his gaze, the words caught in my throat. I couldn’t speak, but I nodded slowly, as if it was the only real thing I could do right then.

George leaned a bit closer… close enough that I caught a whiff of his cologne. And at that moment, something shifted inside me.

The air between us cracked with tension. My legs felt heavy, trembling under the weight of it all… and before I could stop it, before my mind could even protest, his lips crashed against mine.