Mayqueen Empire

Thea felt a shock go through her body, a complete and total surprise that left her speechless.

His words—"Good"—echoed in her mind. He wanted everyone to know. Did he mean that? Was she imagining things? Daydreaming, maybe?

She walked out of the dressing room and faced him. Seth was standing there, his hands in his pockets.

Thea opened her mouth but words seemed far away from her, she had no idea what to say. She chuckled, there's no way.

“I mean it.” Seth replied, his eyes fixed on her like he had just read her mind. Her eyes flickered back to him in shock, was he really being serious?!

"Are you serious?" she asked, her voice low. "You want everyone to know? The cameras will be there. The media. This will be on every news channel."

Seth nodded slowly. "I know. That's the point."

Thea blinked and blinked again. He was out the type to joke around like this, she knew that for a fact and this?

"Why?" she asked.

"Because you're my wife," he said. "And the world needs to know that.”

Thea swallowed. “You mean that?”

Seth blinked. “Yes.”

Of course he did. He already told her how much he was fond of her and this shouldn't come as a surprise to her in the slightest.

Thea felt a shiver run down her spine. His words were not a proposal; they were a fact. A fact that was both terrifying and exciting.

"I told you.” Seth started, “I protect what's mine fiercely and this is me doing that.”

Thea stared at him, dumbfounded. He meant every word and it felt both good and somewhat scary.

But she had other questions, really pressing questions that she needed him to answer right away. Seth stepped closer and handed over the invite.

“If you don't want to go…”

Thea met his gaze but Seth wasn't, his eyes fixed on the invite in her hand."I might have to force you.”

She scoffed, why did she think he was going to be understanding towards her?

Seth's phone beeped, it was a phone call. He glanced at the screen and a frown creased on his face. He walks out of the store to respond to the call, leaving Thea standing there in her lovely green dress and the invite.

Thea stood in the store, the invitation in her hand. Her mind was racing with questions. She looked at Seth, who was now speaking to someone over the phone.

Her eyes went down to the invite she held in hand. The logo on it, an infinity loop with interlocking crowns, was familiar. It was the same symbol that represented the Mayqueen Empire.

The Mayqueen Empire was a powerful business. It was the number one empire in the country. The media called the owner the "King of Business." The gala was a big deal. She needed to know what his connection was.

Seth returned soon after, his eyes fixed on her face in question. She looked like she had questions.

"The invitation. It's from the Mayqueen Empire. What's your connection to them?"

His expression did not change. He was calm, as usual. But Thea noticed a brief flash in his eyes. A flicker of surprise. He was not expecting that question. He did not say anything. He just looked at her, his eyes searching her face.

"You've heard of the Mayqueen Empire?" he asked, his voice even.

"Of course, I have," Thea said. "Everyone in this country knows about the Mayqueen Empire. It is the most influential business in Zean. What do you know about them?"

"What do you know about them?" Seth responded. His question was a way of getting information from her. He was not going to give her anything.

"My family's business, the Balmero Empire, was trying to get them to partner with us. For years we tried to get a meeting with the owner, but we couldn't get a response. It was impossible. My father said they were too powerful to be bothered with a small family business like ours."

Seth's face showed no emotion. He just looked at her, a small smirk forming on his lips. His hands went into his pocket as he stared at her. “Really? When was this?”

“A few years back. That aside, “she waves the invite again. “Ypure yet to answer my question.”

“Did you get a rejection letter from Mayqueen or what?”

Thea folded her arm. “No we didn't. We assume that not getting a response was infact a response."

Seth shifted his weight."Did you try to meet the owner to ask why? Set up a meeting maybe?”

Thea narrowed her eyes on him in suspicion, why all these questions? He was yet to respond to any of her questions and here he was, questioning her instead!

“No.”

Seth nodded. “I see.”

She arched a questioning eyebrow. She did not understand his reaction. She decided to move on and ask a more important question.

"The annual gala is an exclusive event. It is hosted by the Mayqueen Empire. How did you get an invitation?"

"I am friends with the owner," he said, his voice flat. "We have a business relationship that goes way back."

“Oh.” She muttered.

That seems like a reasonable answer. Her eyes went back to Seth, is there really anything that this man doesn't have his hands deep in?

“Is that a yes?”

“Uhm?”

“To be my plus one.”

Thea smirked. “And if I say no?”

Seth sighed. “I guess I'll have to convince you next year.”

“And if I say no again?”

“I'll try the following year, and the year after that until you say yes.”

Thea met his eyes, he was serious. Again. She's never going to get used to him being like this..

“Seth..”

“Mr Seth!” Steph called as attendants followed her with over a dozen shopping bags in hand.

Seth hands her his platinum card. “Create an account for my wife. She'll be shopping here pretty often.”

Steph's eyes flickered over to Thea , a flicker of jealousy roamed her eyes for a brief minute. Thea arched a brow, what the hell was that?

“Yes, Mr Blackwood. We will-”

Seth returned his attention to Thea, his eyes scanning the dress she had on. “Do you like it?”

“Yes.”

“Pack it up.” Seth said.

“Yes sir.”

Thea walked back into the change room, her mind replaying their convo. Seth had just suggested something for the long term…he mentioned years…of convincing her to be his laden ones.

Does that mean the contract is…

A few moments later, Steph and her staff returned with bags and boxes. They packed the green dress and other things Seth had purchased for Thea. The attendants packed the items with care, as if they were handling expensive art. They did not speak. They just worked.

When they were done, Steph spoke to Seth. "Mr. Blackwood, all your items have been packed. Please let us know if you need anything else." Steph asked, her smile even brighter.

Seth nodded and walked away. Thea followed him but not without sending a death stare Steph's way. She knew what she was doing and she wasn't going to let her think she could get away with it.

Steph coughed, her eyes avoiding Theas as she walked out of the store. Goodness, that icy look was enough to send her to an early grave.