Chapter 6: THE PUBLIC CLAIM

The dress was on my bed when I woke up.  

Black and simple and not too much but I could tell it was expensive just by how the fabric felt between my fingers, soft in a way I wasn’t used to.  

There was a note again folded under it. For my girl. Gala tonight 8pm Don’t be late -S  

My hands shook because gala meant with him and I’d never been to anything like that in my life.  

Mrs Delaney knocked and said "Mr Romano sent someone For hair And makeup" and a woman came in with kind eyes who didn’t ask questions she just worked and kept saying "Mr Romano said to make you look like you belong Because you do" and I didn’t cry because I’d promised myself I wouldn’t.  

At 7:30 there was another knock and it was Sal in a black suit with his tie loose and hair combed back and he looked like a king and he stopped in the doorway when he saw me in the dress with my hair down in soft waves and a little makeup, nothing fancy.  

"Hey," I whispered because I didn’t know what else to say.  

He cleared his throat. "You look" and he didn’t finish, he just held out his arm. "Ready"  

I nodded and took it.  

The car ride was quiet and his hand stayed on my knee the whole time, warm and grounding me because I was terrified and he must’ve known. "Are you nervous" he asked.  

"Terrified."  

"Why"  

"Everyone will stare Everyone will know I’m nobody."  

He squeezed my knee. "They’ll know you’re mine That’s all that matters."  

The place was huge with lights and cameras and people in gowns and suits and Sal got out first and came around to open my door and the second we stepped out the cameras flashed and people yelled "Mr Romano Who is she Is that the new maid" but Sal didn’t answer, he just put his hand on the small of my back and led me inside.  

Everyone was looking and whispering and I kept my eyes down until he murmured "Look at me Only at me" so I did and it helped.  

Inside was worse with chandeliers and music and people with money and names and his mother was there in red with a cold face and when she saw me her lips got thin.  

Sal walked straight to her. "Mom."  

"Salvatore."  

Her eyes flicked to me. "Who is this"  

"This is Maya," he said and put his arm around me and pulled me close. "She lives with me She’s mine."  

The words were loud and people heard and his mother’s face didn’t change. "She’s a maid."  

"Was," Sal said. "Now she’s family."  

"Don’t do this You don’t know her."  

"I know enough."  

He looked down at me. "I know she’s the only real thing in my life."  

His mother walked away angry and Marco came over and hugged me. "Bro Ballsy I like it Welcome to the family Maya."  

More people came, business men and women with diamonds, and Sal introduced me to all of them as "My Maya" every single time like he was proud and I smiled small and tried not to shake.  

Halfway through the night I got dizzy from too many people and too much noise and Sal noticed right away. "Come."  

He led me to a balcony that was quiet with cold air and I sat on a chair with my head between my knees.  

"Hey," he said kneeling in front of me. "Look at me."  

"I’m okay Just tired."  

"Did you eat"  

"This morning."  

He frowned. "I’ll get you food."  

"No Stay," I grabbed his hand. "Just stay for a minute."  

So he did and held my hand with his thumb rubbing over my knuckles. "They’re all talking," I said.  

"Let them."  

"They’re saying I’m using you."  

"And what are they saying about me"  

"That you’re crazy."  

He smiled. "I am Crazy about you."  

I laughed watery and then there were footsteps and a young man in a suit with a smile that was too wide. "Sal Romano Haven’t seen you in ages And who’s this"  

"Nobody you need to know," Sal said cold.  

"Come on Don’t be like that Is this the famous maid I heard she’s sick Kidney thing right"  

My blood went cold.  

Sal stood up slow. "How do you know that"  

"People talk."  

The man shrugged. "I’m not here to cause trouble I just wanted to say hi."  

"Then say hi and leave."  

The man left still smiling and Sal turned to me. "Did you tell anyone"  

"No Never."  

"I know."  

He pulled me up. "Come on We’re leaving."  

"But the gala"  

"I don’t care about the gala."  

We left early and in the car he was quiet and angry. "Sal"  

"Don’t."  

"Please talk to me."  

He pulled over on the side of the road in the dark. "Someone told him Maya Dangerous If they know you’re sick they know you’re weak And if they know you’re mine they know how to hurt me."  

I started crying. "I’m sorry I didn’t"  

"Don’t."  

He grabbed my face gentle. "Don’t you dare apologize This isn’t your fault It’s mine For putting you out there before I was ready."  

"So what do we do"  

"We go home And I make sure nobody touches you Ever again."  

He drove fast and at the house he didn’t let go of my hand, he took me straight to his room. "Stay here tonight Please."  

I nodded.  

We lay in bed with clothes on just holding each other. "I’m scared," I whispered.  

"I know," he kissed my hair. "But you’re not alone anymore Okay Not ever again."  

"Okay."  

"I mean it Maya You’re mine In public In private In danger Always."  

I cried into his shirt. "Say it again."  

"You’re mine."  

"Again."  

"You’re mine."  

He kept saying it until I fell asleep.  

In the morning there was news with photos of us at the gala and the headline said ROMANO’S NEW WOMAN and Mrs Delaney brought me breakfast in bed. "Mr Romano said you don’t have to come down today Rest."  

I nodded and at noon Sal came in and sat on the bed. "How do you feel"  

"Better."  

"Good."  

He handed me his phone. "Look."  

It was a text from his mother. She’s pretty Dinner Sunday My house Don’t bring guards.  

Sal rolled his eyes. "See She’s coming around."  

"Really"  

"Maybe."  

He took the phone back. "How about you How do you feel about being mine"  

I thought about it. "The gala was scary But having you there made it okay So good I feel good."  

He smiled real. "Come here."  

I did and he hugged me tight. "My girl My brave girl."  

I drew that night. Him in his suit and me in the black dress and his hand on my back.  

Because for the first time I wasn’t invisible.  

I was claimed.  

And it was terrifying.  

And perfect.