Chapter 9

The man before me exuded wealth, from his sharp, gray suit and perfectly styled hair to the smug smile playing on his lips. He looked arrogant and unpleasant.

I didn't want to speak to him, but he might be here for Gabriel. I offered a polite smile. "Can I help you?"

"Only you can help me." His lopsided grin felt unsettling.

"Excuse me?"

"You're one of the housemaids, yes?" He raised an eyebrow.

My lips parted. I wasn't at my best in my oversized sweatpants, but I certainly wasn't shabby. All the housemaids wore uniforms. Could he possibly think I was one?

"I'm actually Gabriel's wife."

"Ah." He clicked his tongue. He didn't look sorry; he wasn't apologizing. He knew exactly what he was doing when he called me a housemaid, and he knew what he was doing when he stepped forward and, much to my discomfort, extended his hand.

I hesitantly shook it, withdrawing my hand as quickly as possible. He looked at me in a way that made me squirm, sending shivers down my spine. Pulling a lopsided smile to his lips, he said, "You're gorgeous."

"Is that why you thought I was a housemaid?"

His smile broadened into laughter. "Have I offended you, sweetheart?"

"It's Sofia," I replied dryly, crossing my arms. "Are you here for Gabriel?"

"I was, but now that I've met you, I must say you've had quite an effect on your husband. That man has never looked so eager to get home as he did last night, and I can see why." His gaze shamelessly traveled from my face to my feet. I was fully covered in oversized sweatshirts, but his look made me want to cover up even more.

I remained impassive. "I'll call Gabriel and let him know you're here." I started to get my phone but froze when a hand grasped my wrist.

Arthur's hand.

"Excuse me?" I scowled, pulling my hand away. The polite smile was gone, and his smug expression irritated me. He could be important to Gabriel. He could be important to Gabriel. He could be important to Gabriel. He could be—

"Chill," he said, raising his hands. "I don't bite."

"Please do not touch me again!"

"Whatever you want, sweetheart." He smirked. "I just came to leave this file for your husband." He held up a file I hadn't noticed and placed it on the table.

I crossed my arms, still scowling.

"I'll see you at the charity gala, I hope?"

I didn't reply. He didn't seem to expect one, and with the same smirk, he turned and left.

I watched him go before relaxing my scowl and shaking my head. Who was he to come into my house and touch me? That was so inappropriate.

I turned to go back inside and noticed Luna was gone. She'd been behind me when Arthur arrived, but now she was nowhere to be seen. Weird, but I didn't dwell on it. I didn't even feel like painting anymore. I just shook my head and returned to my room.

GABRIEL

"Sir," Peter whispered from behind me—annoyingly, for the third time in a minute. I usually ignored him, but this time I turned to glare.

He fell silent. I returned my attention to the meeting, one I'd been preparing for three months. We were planning to expand our brand into eight European countries, and the budgeting had been a challenge.

"I think England is a far more approachable option" Jason stopped, clearing his throat, his eyes fixed behind me. "Mr. Whitlock, your assistant looks very uncomfortable."

Cursing under my breath, I turned back to Peter, who looked more timid than ever. "What is it, Peter?"

"Sir, we need to talk." His voice was barely audible.

"And it can't wait until this meeting is over?"

He shook his head.

I groaned. "Mr. Williams, please excuse us for a moment."

He nodded, and I grabbed Peter's arm, pulling him outside. "Peter, Jason Williams is here as a special favor to my grandfather, and I swear to God, if this isn't important, I will fire you."

Peter gulped. "Sir, you know that file you asked Mr. Geller to drop off?"

"If this is about him not dropping it off yet, I will fire you first and then make sure you don't get another job anywhere."

"He did drop it off, sir."

"Then why do you look like your grandmother died?"

"My grandmother is already dead, sir."

"Peter," I warned. I had little patience, and people often tested it.

"Sorry." He gulped. "You asked Mr. Geller to call before dropping off the file, and he called while you were busy, so I told him he could drop it off and leave."

I tapped my shoes on the marble floor. "So what's the issue?"

"He dropped the file off at your house."

My eyes narrowed. "And?"

"And" Peter's voice was barely audible. "And he m-met Mrs. Whitlock. And—and—and I believe he made her uncomfortable."

I inhaled sharply, growling, "He made her uncomfortable how?"

"I—I don't know, sir. Luna—Luna—she said there was touching involved. I—I don't know."

"He touched her?"

"I—I don't know."

"Then know! I pay you to know!" I almost shouted, louder than intended. I was considering firing him on the spot, but he was better than the last three airheads I'd hired, who seemed more interested in flirting with me than doing their jobs. "You need to go inside and apologize to Jason Williams, tell him I have a family emergency and schedule another appointment with him. If he leaves disappointed, I will fire you. Clear?"

Peter nodded. "W—where are you going, sir?"

I looked at him as if he were an idiot. "Home, Peter. I'm going home."

END