The Maid's Deception-Chapter 13 - 12: Julian

Aria made it to the staff hallway before she had to stop and lean against the wall, her legs shaking.

He knows something. does he?

The way he’d looked at her. That warning about using her "considerable talents" appropriately. The subtle threat wrapped in professional courtesy.

But how much did he know? And if he suspected she wasn’t who she claimed to be, why hadn’t he fired her? Why was he giving her more access, more responsibility?

Unless he’s playing with you. Watching to see what you’ll do.

The thought sent ice through her veins.

"Sarah? You okay?"

Lucy appeared around the corner, concern written across her face. 𝕗𝚛𝚎𝚎𝐰𝗲𝗯𝗻𝚘𝚟𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝕞

"I’m fine," Aria said quickly, pushing off the wall. "Just... Mr. Blackwood had a lot of instructions for tonight. I’m making sure I have everything straight."

"Oh, the Julian Pierce thing. Yeah, that’s always a production." Lucy fell into step beside her as they headed back toward their assigned area.

"Mr. Pierce comes by maybe once a month. He and Mr. Blackwood have been friends forever, but there’s always this weird tension between them."

"Tension?"

"Yeah, like... competitive? I don’t know how to explain it. They’re friends but they also seem to be constantly trying to one-up each other." She lowered her voice. "And rumor has it Mr. Pierce has tried to poach staff before. Offering them better positions with his company. Mr. Blackwood was NOT happy about that."

Interesting. So there was existing rivalry between them.

"What’s Mr. Pierce like?" Aria asked, trying to sound casually curious.

"Charming. Like, really charming. The kind of guy who remembers your name and asks about your family." Lucy grinned. "Also hot, but in a different way than Mr. Blackwood. Less intimidating, more... approachable? If that makes sense."

It did. Damien Blackwood was beautiful in a way that warned you to keep your distance. Apparently Julian Pierce was beautiful in a way that invited you closer.

"Anyway," Lucy continued, "Mrs. Chen will brief you on the setup. But heads up Mr. Blackwood gets weird when Mr. Pierce is around. Extra demanding. Extra particular about everything."

Possessive, Aria’s mind supplied. He gets possessive.

But possessive of what? His staff? His space? His control?

At 6 PM, Mrs. Chen gathered Aria and two other staff members for final preparations.

"The library needs to be perfect," she said, her tone brooking no argument. "Julian Pierce is an important business associate and personal friend of Mr. Blackwood. Sarah, you’ll be serving drinks tonight. Lucy and Maria will handle any food requests. James will oversee everything."

She handed Aria a detailed list. "Mr. Blackwood’s preferred whiskey selection should be displayed on the bar cart these specific bottles, in this order. Crystal glasses, not regular. Ice bucket filled but not overflowing. The lighting should be warm but not dim use the amber-tinted lamps, not the white ones."

Aria absorbed every detail, her mind cataloguing it all.

"Mr. Pierce typically arrives at 7:30," Mrs. Chen continued. "You should be in position by 7:15. When serving, always approach from the right. Never interrupt conversation. Stay visible but not intrusive they should be able to signal you without having to call out."

"Understood."

"And Sarah?" Mrs. Chen’s expression became more serious. "Mr. Pierce is... friendly. Overly so, sometimes. If he makes you uncomfortable, you signal me or James immediately. Mr. Blackwood does not tolerate his staff being harassed, regardless of who the guest is."

The same warning Damien had given her, essentially. Clearly Julian Pierce had a reputation.

By 7:15, the library was perfect. Warm lighting created an intimate atmosphere. The bar cart held an impressive array of expensive whiskeys. Soft jazz played at barely audible volume. Aria stood near the bar, hands folded, trying to look professional and invisible simultaneously.

At 7:28, Damien entered.

He’d changed since lunch now wearing more casual attire, though "casual" for him still meant expensive. Dark slacks, a charcoal cashmere sweater that probably cost more than her car, sleeves pushed up to his elbows.

Those forearms should not be that distracting.

His eyes swept the room, cataloguing every detail, before landing on her. He moved closer, and Aria’s pulse kicked up.

"Everything looks good," he said, his voice pitched low so only she could hear. "Remember what I said earlier. Professional. Distant."

"Yes, sir."

He was close enough now that she could smell his cologne different from this morning, something darker and more complex. Close enough that she could see the silver flecks in his gray eyes.

"Julian will try to charm you," Damien continued. "He’s good at it. Has a lot of practice. Don’t fall for it."

"I won’t, sir."

"Good." His hand came up, and for a heart-stopping moment she thought he was going to touch her face. Instead, he reached past her to adjust one of the whiskey bottles that was a millimeter out of alignment. "Because I don’t share my staff’s attention. When you’re working for me, your focus should be on me. Understood?"

The words sent heat flooding through her body. Don’t share. Like she belonged to him.

"Understood, sir."

"Damien!" A voice called from the doorway. "Are you hiding the good whiskey from me already?"

Damien stepped back smoothly, his professional mask sliding into place as he turned. "Julian. Right on time for once."