Chapter 6

"I understand." Marie said with a smile, hoping it would smoothen her boss's furrowed brows at least a little. But Thane just ignored it and went on.

"Make sure everything is set for tomorrow. Many people will be in attendance and so will my mom, and you know how she can be."

"How could I forget?" Marie replied cheerfully, recollecting how much drama Mrs. Moneau brought whenever she was around.

"Alright then, thank you Marie." he replied and turned towards the Bentley Bentayga which stood waiting, with Dante holding the door open for him. "Oh and," he turned around, back to Marie who still stood there waiting for him to leave, "Keep an eye on Lena."

The woman's brows creased a little. "Is there a problem, Thane?" She asked and tilted her head, trying to read his expression, but it was just blank.

"Not really. Just do as I've said." With that, he dived into the car and Dante got in after him. He slammed all the doors shut and sped the car away from the premises.

The usual silence whenever Thane rode with Dante engulfed the car, but there was this thing that hung in the air, which both Thane and Dante tried to ignore.

Thane, on the other hand, tried to busy his mind by going through the list of sponsors that were going to be present at his wedding, but he just couldn't get that innocent look on Lena's face out of his head.

The way her feeble fingers clung so tightly to his back as he went in and the moans she did an awful job suppressing. They all seemed to keep replaying in his mind.

While swiping past one sponsor who had so infiltrated him, he felt Dante take a quick glance at him. "What is it Dante?" He asked without looking up from the phone.

Dante kept his head forward as he spoke. "Nothing, boss." He replied, stalling like he usually did when he wasn't sure Thane was in a good mood to listen to what he had to say.

"Speak." Thane ordered calmly.

"It's just the way you spoke to that maid. Did she do something wrong?" he asked, hitting the nail on the head.

Thane kept his eyes on his phone, hoping Lena hadn't gone around running her mouth about their one-night stand.

His outburst was unnecessary, and he knew it, but deep down it felt good because as much as he'd undeniably enjoyed that night with her, he couldn't help but feel like their affair had somehow damaged his ego.

'You fucked a maid, stupid. You have no self respect and you just acted like your father,' his mind hissed, filling him with the anger he now felt each time she saw Lena.

"She's just too nosy. I saw her snooping around important stuff." He lied through clenched teeth.

Dante took another quick glance, noticing his boss's tension. "Are you okay, boss?" He asked in a voice which was meant to sound like concern but because of his nature, sounded like an insult. "Is it the wedding?"

"Is this a fucking therapy session?" Thane snapped. "Huh, Dante?" He now had his eyes raised to Dante, who was now looking away.

"I'm sorry, sir, but it's my duty to prioritize your wellbeing."

"Since when?"

"Since My father assigned me to your service." Dante stated firmly.

As much as Thane wanted to be mad at him, he couldn't. Dante had been by his side since he was a teen, when his father worked as Thane's mom's driver.

Then Dante, who'd started his body building at an early age, would follow him around like his shadow till they got into college. They'd basically been best friends. But regardless, Dante had maintained his professionalism and respect around Thane.

Thane could only suck his teeth, stopping himself from passing the aggression. "I don't want to talk about it, Dante."

*****

"Oh come on sweetheart, this looks perfect on you." Tessa's slim wardrobe manager encouraged.

The earrings which hung from the six different ear piercings slapped against each other as he scurried around trying to fasten the seventh corset Tessa had tried on since she began dressing up.

"No, this one is a little loose on the left. It doesn't fit right." Tessa whined, staring at her reflection in the body mirror.

"Alright then, what about these?" He snatched the pile of clothes Lena held and ransacked it for what seemed non-existent, till he finally gasped and held up a black one. "This is the one, my love." He announced and Lena sighed for the fiftieth time and began her work from the beginning.

The masculine-feminine man hurried over to Tessa and, with no word from Tessa, he undid the one she had on and fastened the one in his hands. "Oh my God, bitch!" He shrieked, with his palms on his cheeks. "This is perfect!"

"Yeah, I do like it," Tessa said, admiring her body, which she knew was perfect.

The man gave a silent sigh and turned away to get the rest of her outfit and do some touching up of her makeup.

"How do I look?" Tessa asked, with her shoulders high, evident that she loved being reminded that she was flawless.

Well, that was how everyone saw her.

"You're perfect, darling, and you are going to impress your mother in-law tonight!" The manager assured with a smile as he took out his phone and buried his head in it. "Chef's kisses."

After another minute of admiring her reflection, Tessa turned towards the door. "It is time." She said confidently.

"Glow girl!" The manager cheered without looking up from his phone and Lena watched them both walk towards the door.

But then Tessa suddenly stopped and turned to Lena. "You." She called with a sneer.

"Yes, ma'am." Lena answered quickly.

"I heard all the maids are needed downstairs immediately. Finish up and don't be late." Tessa ordered with her lip twisted in irritation.

'If only you knew I've tasted what you have.' Lena's lust simmered beneath the surface.

"Certainly, ma'am." She answered just as the door banged shut behind them.

Lena scurried to tidy the room. Carefully, so she wouldn't ruin items which she knew she couldn't repay even if she sold seventy years of her life.

When she was done, she changed into the maid's ceremonial attire and rushed toward the stairs leading to the grand hall. She heard the room buzz with life as guests mingled.

"...You know, Thane, he's probably at the office attending to business," Tessa's muffled explanation drifted through the air.

"I thought you had eleven maids, Tessa. I can count only ten," a woman replied, her voice tinged with annoyance.

Lena, eager to announce her presence, called out, "I'm here-"

But before she could take another step, her foot caught on the stair, and she tumbled loudly down the remaining steps.