Chapter 35
1002words
I didn't like seeing her scared. It made me felt like I was not doing a good job of protecting her and boosting her confidence. She was about to become the wife of a billionaire.
'Baby, stop worrying. I don't care how much headlines the press throw our way. Nothing and no one is going to change the way I feel about you. I love you.' I kissed her again and she whispered in my ear as she hugged me, 'I love you too.'
'Do you want anything from downstairs?' I asked her.
'A soda please.'
I took the coffee cup downstairs and brought her up a soda. She fell asleep shortly after drinking it.
I watched her as she slept peacefully.
I went down to my office to finish some paperwork I had to send in for my company. My computer gave me an alert that someone had been tampering with the accounts online. Hot blood ran through me as I looked over the accounts. No money was taken. Money couldn't be taken out, but someone had gotten close to it; too close for comfort.
I headed back upstairs, took a shower, got dress and headed to the office. I didn't wake Emma, so I left a note telling her my whereabouts and that I loved her.
I met Linda Steele at my desk. I had alerted her about the tampering on my way to the office.
'Does anyone have access to the accounts other than you?' she asked.
'Of course not, Linda. What kind of CEO do you think I am? I've seen many businesses all around New York fall because of different people having access to the company's account and so forth. I vowed not to make that mistake. Ever!'
'I understand, Ethan, but it's obvious that someone is after the money. They just don't know how to get behind your firewall. Did you trace an IP address?'
'It came from my home computer.'
Linda gasped. 'Do you understand what that means?'
'Of course. The person doing the tampering is in my house.'
I heaved a frustrated sigh as I laid back in my chair, rubbing my temple. I knew exactly who was doing it. No questions asked, no test to be done, no cameras to be installed. It couldn't have been anyone else but her. I would make certain she didn't get away without my wrath.
Enough people had used me and tossed me aside after getting what they wanted, especially women. I wouldn't let anyone take advantage of me and what I've worked so hard for again. My company was the foundation of my life and I'd be damned if someone was going to just walk into my life and run it to the ground.
One maid almost did that, almost, and no one else was going to have the opportunity to it again.
Emma's POV
I woke up and noticed I was all alone in bed. A note was next to me so I read it. It stated that he had gone to the office and he loved me. I blushed. I couldn't believe that my life had changed suddenly. The nerd in high school, the outcast at college, the one that couldn't fit in at the fosters home, was now engaged to a very successful man who loved her and she love him back.
I got dressed and got out of bed. I headed downstairs to make something to eat. Halley was in the kitchen.
'Congratulations on the engagement, again, that's so unbelievable.'
'Thanks Hal, I can't even believe it either. I have to keep pinching myself because I still think I'm dreaming.'
'It's not a dream, darling. He really does love you.'
'And I can't seem to understand why. Why me?'
'Why not you? You're beautiful, caring, and you're sweet.'
'Yeah, but I am just his maid.'
'Now you're his fiancee.'
We prepared pancakes with chocolate chips and strawberries for brunch. We sat outside by the pool and enjoyed the lovely, warm atmosphere. Summer was the best time of the year.
'He's going to spoil you,' Halley said as she bit into a thick pancake.
'I could only imagine,' I giggled as I felt like a queen on her throne.
'Sharon will be back soon. Are you ready to face the music?'
'Actually, he'll be meeting her at the airport to end it with her. She won't have to come here.'
'Thank God.'
But little did we know.
__________
The Weekend
I was in the kitchen making my fiance his cup of coffee when the front door of the mansion burst open.
'Darling, I'm home!'
I would recognize that voice anywhere. Sharon had arrived.
I peered from the kitchen door. She was standing at the bottom of the stairs, accompanied with a very slim woman in an cream color suit.
'Ethan!' she called again.
He appeared at the top of the stairs then slowly strode down to her and the other woman. 'You're here early.'
'Yes. We caught an early flight.'
'We?'
'Yes. Oh, this is Mrs. Dianna Promme.'
'Okay. Why is she here?'
'She's here to plan our wedding, baby. With the extra time I spent in Italy I found her. She's the best in the world. She can plan our dream wedding perfectly.' Sharon was overjoyed as she hugged him, but he pushed her away gently. Her excitement died. 'Baby, is everything okay?'
'There's something I have to tell you.'
'I already know what it is. You miss me and you love me and you can't wait for us to get married. I know, I know. I can't wait either.' Sharon turned to Dianna and handed her a book. 'This is the book I've been telling you about. You'll find all the wedding dresses and decorations there. Just look at it and tell me which one will–'
'Sharon, I said I have to talk to you.'
