Page 55 of The Billionaire and the Maid

“Girl, you’re fine.” He looks at himself in the bathroom mirror. “You look amazeballs. We totally need to rub that in with Nancy and the Shining Twins.”

I give him a look.

“What? Oh, come on. Myra and Mila are creepy as fuck. They are like little Stepford wife mini-Nancys.

“And the way that man just looked at you…there is no doubt he likes you,” Gus adds as he makes eye contact with me in the mirror. I lean against the wall and shrug.

Gus fixes his hair and turns to me. “Come on. We need to make you the belle of this motherfucking ball.”

Before I can protest, he grabs my arm and we’re going back down the hall and into the ballroom. We almost run smack into Nancy.

“Oh, Ella,” she says staring at me with her nose in the air as if I smell offensive.

“Hi, Nancy,” I mutter, trying to avoid eye contact.

“There he is. He’s looking for you. Sorry, Nancy, Chase had to deal with some important business stuff, but he’s looking for Ella now, so we must be off. Enjoy your evening,” Gus says as he again links my arm through his and steers me across the room to the bar where David is standing with three drinks.

“Impressive skills,” I say as I take one of the two drinks in his right hand.

He shrugs. “Party trick. Anyhow, I hear the official welcome speech will begin soon,” David says as he motions to the podium where Luca Marino is talking with someone.

“Lovely,” Gus says as he brings his glass to his lips.

“Hey,” Chase says as he pulls me against him and places a gentle kiss on my lips.

“Hey,” I reply. I feel secure in his arms. Maybe I can do this, at least as long as Chase is with me.

“You’re needed again,” Ken says as he walks over to us, breaking the spell of confidence I just acquired.

Chase groans. “I’m so sorry. I’ll just be a minute.”

“It’s fine,” I lie as I let him go. I know he’s needed, but I could use his support right now. If we were in love, for real, would he always have to leave me like this? Would I be so lacking in confidence? I frown as I contemplate that.

“Where was that bathroom?” David asks Gus.

“I’ll show you,” Gus replies. He leans toward me. “You gonna be alright here for a moment?”

I nod and sip my drink to gather some courage. “I’ll survive.”

“Just remember, you came here with Chase fucking Marino.”

I laugh. “I’ll keep that in mind.”

They head out of the room, and I lean against a small cocktail table. Suddenly, Ken’s standing in front of me. Great. Just what I need, some putrid man who clearly is an asshole trying to small-talk with me.

I look up to see Luca tapping the microphone. He has Chase at this side, and he smiles at him. I’m sure it’s all for show, but that has to be good.

“I can see why Chase is pretending to settle down with you,” Ken sneers.

I glance over at him, my eyes widening in shock. Did he just actually say that?

“I’m sorry, what?” I say.

He looks me up and down and I feel violated just by his stare. “Are fake relationships your thing? ’Cause I could use a fake girlfriend when Chase finishes with you.” He adds a wink that makes me want to vomit.

I step back. “I’m sorry…Ken, is it? I don’t know what you’re talking about, but you should leave.”

He smirks. “You know very well what I’m talking about. I know all about your little arrangement.”

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