Damien POV:
She backed away from me, looking devastated.
"Mr. Cross, please—don't do this to me. I might die, don't you understand? And he doesn't even care. Please…" she begged, tears pouring down her cheeks.
Jeez. Does she have a hidden tear tank somewhere? Her eyes hadn't been dry for even a minute.
"I thought you wanted revenge," I said plainly, showing no emotion.
"Yes, sir, I do, but—"
I cut her off.
"Then why are you backing down so easily? Revenge comes with a heavy price. And this…" I gestured at her bruised hands, "…is just the beginning."
Her eyes widened even more.
"Honestly, sir," she said, "did you come all the way from your house to comfort me or to reassure me that my fate is doomed?"
A small smirk curved on my lips.
"Both."
I sat beside her and added,
"You can't back down. Not now, not ever—at least not until your three months are over."
"Gosh, stop it," she muttered, lightly hitting my shoulder. I just smiled.
She had this calm, peaceful aura that made anyone relax. I still didn't understand how Xavier could torture someone like her.
"Mr. Cross… why do you have so much faith in me?" she asked suddenly. I hadn't expected that.
I turned to her. Her eyes sparkled with an emotion I couldn't quite place.
"Like I said," I replied, "you're the annoying nuisance Xavier needs in his life."
Her jaw dropped.
"Scarlett," I called, getting serious.
"Make Xavier happy. Do fun things with him—"
"Fun?" she cut in immediately. "Mr. Grey is a vibe killer. There's—"
"Can you shut up and let me finish?" I snapped. She pouted before muttering, "Sorry."
"If you can get a genuine smile out of him… I'll take care of everything after your three months. Your flights. Your new life. A business of your choice."
She beamed—literally beamed.
"Really!? Can you also talk to Mr. Grey about the maid?" she asked, poking my shoulder with her finger. She looked adorable.
I nodded.
She practically exploded with joy. She jumped around like a child who just got their first toy.
"Where's the girl who couldn't stop crying a few minutes ago?" I asked.
"Six feet under," she replied, still jumping.
I chuckled.
The perfect nuisance for Xavier.
I stood to leave when she called out,
"Mr. Cross… thank you. I promise I won't let you down."
I nodded once before heading out.
Thank goodness that went well.
Scarlett's POV:
I stopped jumping and sat on the flower bench, my smile as bright as the stars.
Honestly, I never thought about what came after revenge… but now Mr. Cross had promised to help build my future. I would be able to do everything I ever wanted to accomplish.
And Eva wouldn't be fired anymore.
What a win win.
I thought today would be the end for me, but it turned out to be a new beginning.
I would do my best to help Mr. Grey find happiness and make him see the beauty of this world —but of course,without falling in love with him. Well that is literally impossible, I can't even last a full day with him talk more of a life time. No way.
Easy peasy.
What could possibly go wrong?
I went to the maids' quarters looking for Eva, but she wasn't there. Someone told me she had gone toward the parking lot with her luggage.
Panicking, I ran to the lot, shouting her name.
"Ma'am!" her voice called out.
I turned and found her sitting on the ground beside her luggage, looking hopeless.
"Oh, Eva."
I rushed to hug her.
"What are you doing out here?" I asked.
"You told me not to leave yet… but I was too scared to be seen by Mr. Grey," she said, her eyes red. She must have been crying.
I smiled softly.
"It's alright. You're not getting fired anymore."
Her face lit up instantly.
"Really, ma'am?" She beamed
"Yes."
Unexpectedly she jumped on me— giving me a very tight and warm hug. I smiled and hugged her back.
She backed away after realizing what she just did. Then said "am sorry ma'am, I got too excited" she said, adding a little bow.
I just chuckled— assuring her i don't mind.
I helped her up. When I reached for her luggage, she quickly blocked me.
"No, ma'am, please. You've already done enough. I'll take them myself."
I could tell she was scared, so I let her. She is still scared of what Mr Grey might do if he sees me taking her things in, he might kill her this time. I just sighed—if only she knew he doesn't give a damn about me.
I hugged her one last time and waved goodbye.
Then I headed inside.
I went upstairs, imagining a warm, refreshing bath… but the moment I opened my room door, my smile died.
There he was—Mr. Grey—sitting on my bed, making a call.
Great. What does he want now?
I stepped inside, then froze as I remembered I was still wearing Mr. Cross's night robe.
Quickly, I pulled it off and shoved it inside my tank top.
I hurried toward the bathroom.
"Stop," he said, his voice cold and unfriendly.
I thought he was still on the phone.
"What's that inside your shirt?" he asked, scrolling through his phone.
I quickly shifted the robe to my back.
"Nothing," I replied.
He stopped scrolling, though his eyes stayed on the screen.
He smirk— one that could reveal someone's weakness in no time.
"I think your hands must be healed if you still have the guts to lie to me," he said, lifting his gaze slowly.
I flinched as his eyes locked onto mine—cold, sharp, penetrating.
He dropped his phone and stood, walking toward me.
My throat tightened. My voice vanished.
He reached out, sliding his hand around my waist, pulling our bodies together. I gasped. His hot breath on my skin. I shivered.
Then he pulled something from his pocket.
"Should I inflict more?" he whispered.
My eyes dropped to the object in his hand.
He flicked it open.
Holy shit.
A knife.
A freaking knife.