Chapter 5

Asher stepped forward, his lips crinkling into a smile. 

“There you are, Maya.” Maya froze. 

“W - what?”

“It's you. I knew I'd seen that face before.” Asher went on.

Maya’s heart raced in her chest and she felt she would have a heart attack. 

‘What is Asher doing here?’ She questioned her troubling thoughts. 

Her hand was quick to clutch her flask and she prayed they wouldn't tremble. 

‘What a terrible way to reunite with your ex. I hope he doesn't recognize me.’ Maya pushed back her chair when the PA system chimed.

“Sorry, uh, Mr…” Maya pinched her eyelids to get a read at his name tag. “...Asher but my name is Freya. Actually Mrs. Slade.” She showed him the diamond ring on her finger and his smile died. 

“I get confused a lot with my twin sister, Maya.”

“Oh sorry,” Asher cupped the back of his neck. “Mr. Slade wants to see you in his office.”

Maya frowned but instantly covered it with a fake smile. 

“Ah, I wonder what hubby wants from me.” Then she turned to her friends, 

“See ya, later, girls.”

“Bye, Freya.” They waved at her retreating figure.

Asher stood there, too stunned to speak and too ashamed to move.

Maya pushed the elevator button, praying it would be empty. The doors parted and she saw the face she was avoiding. Before she turned to leave, his arm reached out and grabbed her, pulling her inside.

“Can you please calm down? You're raging like a goddamn bull!” Damien pushed the elevator buttons for it to close.

Maya placed her hand in her chest and exhaled softly. 

“I'm calm. Now, what do you want?”  Damien smiled. 

“I'm glad you asked.”

When he leaned closer, she fisted her hand. 

“Just because we're in an office, doesn't mean I won't punch the life out of you.”

Damien chuckled when he reached her. He practically towered over her. 

“I can see the crown of your head.”

“Do you mind?” Maya gave him a light push on the chest. He kissed her hair before pulling away. 

“The pack’s golden jubilee is coming up tomorrow night… and I want you to be my date.” Maya rolled her eyes. 

“Fine. Whatever.” 

After a long day at the office, Damien and Maya arrived home but in separate vehicles. They had bickered all the way to the office in the morning and Damien had demanded a different car for both of them.

“We're home.” Maya announced as she entered the living room.

“Welcome home, Madam Freya.” One of the maids greeted her with a smile. 

“Thank you.” Maya took off her stilettos and followed her maid to her bedroom. Of course, after the incident on their wedding day, Maya demanded a separate room.

Damien walked into the living room and asked about Maya's whereabouts. The maids told him she was in her room.

He took the silver staircase to the right and followed her scent all the way to her room. The floor clearing held a warning sign that made him laugh every time he saw it - there was a giant red X mark over his picture. 

He stifled a laugh and knocked on the door.

As if knowing he was the one, Maya barked from inside. “If it's about dinner, I ate a lot at the office!”

“Get your butt out here, bulldog!” he ran his hand through his hair.

When the locks began to click, he took a step back. 

Maya showed up at the door dressed in a black lingerie. 

“Yes?” Damien looked everywhere but her face. 

“The party's tomorrow. Here.” He tossed her a black card. “Get what you want.” 

He expected her to rage on about it and talk about how a selfless and independent woman she was but she didn't. Instead she said this :

“Gee, thanks. Now, I'll show those wives who the boss is.” 

And slammed the door right in his face.

“Some wife you are, Freya.” He muttered under his breath before turning to leave.

In her room, Maya looked at the black credit card and whistled. 

“Sweet Jesus, he's loaded.” Her eyes fell on her reflection in the mirror. 

“Freya should be the one here…I wonder how she's faring…” 

She shook her head. “I have to focus. The party's tomorrow. I've got just the dress in mind.”

The following morning, Maya ate breakfast alone in her bedroom before taking her BMV to the department store. 

She sat in the expensive waiting room of the cloth store. Dresses, bags and shoes in all brands lined the store in bulk. 

One of the store’s attendants brought over a brownish-gold Chanel purse and she instantly screamed. “I want it!”

She also bought a golden silk floor length dress with a long V running down the back. “Damien will die when he sees me in this.”

She rushed to the changing room and slipped on the dress.

“Woah. This looks so pretty on you, ma'am.” The attendant complimented her with a smile.

Maya turned scarlet at her words. “Aww. Thank you.”

“You know what will go with the dress?” The attendant loomed near with a sly grin on her face.

“Want?”

“Matching jewelry!”

“Ah, you speak my language!”

After getting all the items on her shopping list, Maya returned home, a happy woman. 

She had expected Damien's endless nagging as she arrived only to hear he went out.

She frowned, knowing there was no one she would vent her anger on and decided to take it out on her opponent in the League of Legends game.

When the time struck 7pm, she smirked. 

“It’s time.”

Damien arrived home and was told Maya was getting ready for the party.

He began to pace the floor when she was taking a lot of time.

“You don't have to wait for me, you know. I know my way around town.” A voice said, interrupting his thoughts.

“That's not how it - -” Damien's word frose on his lips as Maya walked down that stairs. 

“I knew you'd be lost for words.” Maya winked at him.

“Sir, the car is ready.” the driver announced from outside.

“Shall we?” Maya walked past him and he clenched his fists. Her scent lingered in their air and he bit down the growl about to escape his lips.  

Avoiding Freya’s sexual attraction was not an easy feat for Damien. Everywhere she went and everything she touched, carried her scent. He nearly rammed his head into the wall to concentrate.

The Party's MC concluded his speech and now, it was time for the couple’s dance.

“There's our queue, sweetheart.” Maya walked to where he stood and linked arms with him.

Together, they glided to the dance floor. As they danced the night away, they became the center of attention as every other couple stared at them. 

“Woah. People are staring at us.” Maya suddenly became aware of their intense gaze. Damien's hold around her tightened. 

“Ah? Is she shy?”

Maya nearly buried her face in his chest when he said that. Her cheeks were bright red. She wasn't used to getting that much attention. 

“Hey, look at me,” Damien lifted her chin and their eyes met. “You are beautiful. The others staring can go to hell. 

A startled gasp left Maya’s lips. Damien was being nice to her.

His gaze lingered on her lips and he pulled her close to him. Her scent filled his nostrils and he closed his eyes as though fighting something within himself. 

“Damien?” Maya called out his name for the first time and he wanted to hear her say it again.

“Say my name again, Freya.” He whispered.

“Damien.” Maya whispered. His hand went up in her hair and drew her face closer. 

“Say my name again.” Maya felt heat pooled between her legs and she whispered his name again. 

“Damien.”

Before Maya raised it, Damien's lips claimed hers in a raw, passionate kiss. Without a care in the world, she draped her arm around his neck, giving him all the permission he needed.