Bruce's POV
"Dangit, Skyler!" I said, shoving my fingers into my hair. I could feel the headache coming on. After a long day and a few hours at a karaoke bar, it was this single moment that had managed to give me a banging headache.
She looked bored. "I don't see why you're mad. It's not that deep."
"It's not that... Are you serious right now? You almost killed her! She could have drunk that wine had I not stopped her just now."
"You're the one who said you wanted Parker Harper to suffer for everything he did to your family."
"I never said you should kill his daughter by poisoning her drink with a non traceable substance."
"Even autopsy wouldn't have revealed that."
"Yeah, right. That is not the point! I don't want you to kill her!"
"You want to do that yourself?"
"No, I don't want her blood on either of our hands." She stared at me for a moment then rolled her eyes and went to sit at the raised pavement close to a beautiful rose bush. "I can't believe you were going to poison her." I said, a little bit more calmly.
"I wouldn't have considered it if you didn't stop making me feel irrelevant. You spend all your time with her and I am just sick and tired of it."
"It's been just two days."
"Yes, well, it seems like forever." She said stubbornly. "Besides, the poison wouldn't have killed her. It would have just knocked her out for a couple of weeks. By the time she's up, I would have gotten lots of sweet time with you."
"I would have been fired, have you thought of that? It would ruin all of our plans." That was the only reason I could say out loud without upsetting her.
She sighed softly, then batted her eyes at me then started coming forward. Her bottom lip stuck out. "I'm sorry, my love. I guess I didn't think it through. I just don't like the idea of sharing you." Her arms circled around my neck.
"It's all part of the plan." I said and she nodded. Just as she got taller from standing on her toes and wanting to kiss me, the door to the back entrance opened and we immediately came apart.
It was Dakota. She stared at us. A worried look in her face.
"Everything okay?" She asked.
Before I could say anything, Skyler rushed forward and straightened her palm towards Dakota. "Miss Harper, it is an honor to finally meet you. I'm Skyler."
"Hi. I... Um... You're the new maid Daddy mentioned?"
Skyler smiled brightly, nodding. That would be me." She sounded very sweet, like she hadn't just laced Dakota's drink with a deadly poison.
"I hope you like it here?"
"I do. It's a dream come true. I um... I better get back to the partner. I'd just come around to help um... Help Bruce out with his clothes."
"Excuse me?"
I decided to jump in. "What she means is that she'd spilled wine on me and was just helping me clean it up."
"The wine you rudely collected from me a few minutes ago?" She asked, her hands over her chest.
"Yes."
"And you couldn't do this in the kitchen or one of the washrooms? You had to do it outside." She said as Skyler politely excused herself.
"Hey—"
"You are unbelievable, do you hear me, Bruce unbelievable."
"What?"
"You think I don't know what this is? You're trying to your your hooks at the maid. I don't seriously don't know why I'm surprised."
I spared a dry laugh. "That's ridiculous."
"Is it?" Her eyes flashed hotter with each passing second.
"Yes. She was simply wiping wine of my shirt."
"Oh, yes, of course. I didn't see what had just happened right now. Not surprising at all."
"Nothing happened!"
"Your faces were inches away from each other. If that's not something, I don't know what it means."
"Because she was wiping wine off."
She stared at me for a while. "You were supposed to be different."
"What?"
"From Harry. You just held me at the car an hour ago and next thing you're face inches apart from the new maid."
"Nothing happened, Dakota!" I exploded. I was anger because the plan was shaken. I was mad because it had come to this. I was mad that she was angry and I was mad that I cared a little for her.
She raised her chin up high. "It's miss Harper from now onwards." She said and quickly turned back to the entrance, disappearing behind the door. Oh boy.
***
It took me only a minute or two to realize that Dakota has left the party. She wasn't in her room also. Her little brother had just stormed the party and he's been asking for her ever since, though not consistently.
I knew the three places she could have gone to. The first option was unlikely. The second option was realistic. The last one was beyond possible. I'd held on to that thought as much as I could, and I pulled over the car infront of the karaoke bar I'd taken her too earlier and carefully made my way forward.
She sulked when she saw me. "I seriously don't know what you're doing here."
"I'm here to take you home."
"Okay, well you can go without me. I am fully capable of taking myself home but thank you very much." Her eyes spat at me.
"You're not drunk, are you?" That seemed to infuriate her further.
"No!"
I sighed and lowered myself to the chair near hers. She started to drag hers away at least a few inches apart from me. Okay, I guess she was one of those entitled brats after all. "Nothing happened, Dakota."
"I have no idea what you're talking about." Her eyes refused to look into mine.
"Yes, you do. I told you, she was just getting rid of the spilled drink."
She gulped. I was getting to her. I could see it. "I have heard you."
"Have you really?"
"Yes."
"Then look at me."
"I mustn't look at you when we speak."
As gently as I could: "yes, I know, but I still want you to look at me, please."
She exhaled deeply and finally let her emerald eyes meet mine. "You win."
"Nothing happened, alright?"
She stared into my eyes more, searched carefully for any lie. "I just don't want to be lied to. I always get lied to. And if you're getting close to the maid, that's okay. I just don't want you to make me feel like a fool. I don't want this to be like what Harry and I have. It's better to live as strangers." She spoke more quietly this time and I took the liberty of pulling her chair closer to mine. Her hands fell on my shoulders as she almost fell. I caught her.
"I don't want us to have what you and Harry have too."
"So you'll tell me if you don't want this anymore, right? You'll let me know?"
"Oh, I will. But it's not now." I said and she finally let herself fall against me, her head cradled safely at my neck.
"Okay. I believe you."
***
"I thought you said you were taking me home." She said, raising her head to stare at me. "Thought you said we had to go or else worry might kill my brother."
"You have been quiet since tonight. I thought I'd show you something."
She sighed. "I think the whereabout of one secret karaoke bar is enough for me, but thanks for the offer."
I chuckled. "It's not another karaoke bar."
"What is it? Please, tell me this time, I don't want any more suspense. Enough for one night."
I nodded. "It's a place I come to when I'm... Well, sulky."
"Okay, but it doesn't answer my question."
"It's a cottage."
"A cottage?"
"Yes." I pulled the car to a stop and got out. Before I could help out, Dakota pulled the car door open and started towards the cottage, her eyes filled with wonder. She turned to look at me, then her eyes fell back on her hands.
"Thank you for bringing me here."
"I adore you, miss Harper." I said and she came running towards me, her hands encircled around my neck.
The night was cool and so was the water we enjoyed when we went for swimming. And so for a second I allowed myself to forget what this was really about. Until the next morning...
The headline on the news was almost stifling for Dakota, who comfortably wore my shirt.
CONGRATULATIONS ARE IN ORDER AS THE DAUGHTER OF PRESIDENT HARPER GETS ENGAGED TO LONG TIME SWEETHEART JUST A DAY AFTR HER SISTER'S ENGAGEMENT PARTY TO PRINCE JORDAN.
The fresh cup of coffee I'd just served her shattered across the wooden floor. She seemed to be having a panic attack.