Between a Mother and a Wife II
The following morning, Damien was already dressed for work, moving as quietly as possible in order not to disturb Eva. Just as he reached for the door, her lashes fluttered and she stirred awake. The moment she saw him about to slip out, she bolted upright.
"Hubby, where are you going?" she mumbled, rubbing her sleepy eyes like a child.
Damien turned with a soft smile. "Good morning, sunshine. I didn't want to wake you. I have an early meeting, so I thought I should leave first."
Leave first? With that witch Seraphina and his terrifying mother lurking around? Absolutely no way.
Eva jumped to her feet. "No, wait for me, I'm coming with you."
Damien chuckled. "Why? You still have an hour before your scheduled resumption starts. Unlike you, I can't afford to be late."
""Particularly because you are the boss, you can afford to be late. Please, just wait. I'll be done before you know it."
Without giving him a chance to protest, she dashed into the bathroom. Damien sighed and sat back down, shaking his head with a helpless smile. Eva loved to sleep in, so much that he'd adjusted her official resumption time to nine. But here she was, wide awake at seven, running around like her life depended on it. Whatever had gotten into her, he couldn't say, but it amused him deeply.
True to her word, she reemerged minutes later, juggling her comb, makeup kit, and shoes.
"Let's go!" she beamed, though her hair was wild and her blouse only half-tucked in.
Damien arched a brow. "Aren't you going to at least comb your hair?"
"I'll do it in the car," she said, snatching her heels.
He muttered under his breath, "Women and their drama," but dutifully carried her bag stuffed with combs and makeup, while she clutched her handbag. Together, they headed out.
But the moment they entered the living room, they froze. Eric was already there, speaking with Eleanor and Seraphina.
"Good morning, boss," Eric greeted quickly, rushing to take Damien's briefcase.
"Morning. We're already five minutes late," Damien replied with a strict face, brushing past with only the most clipped greeting to his mother, and treating Seraphina as though she were invisible. Eva murmured a polite greeting to Eleanor before hurrying after Damien, desperate to avoid another confrontation.
Eleanor's gasp cut through the air like glass shattering. Her sharp eyes caught the most absurd detail, her son, Damien Lopez, casually carrying a bag filled with combs and makeup kits.
Impossible.
Eric bowed respectfully and made to follow, but Eleanor's sharp voice stopped him in his tracks.
"Eric, we need to talk." Her tone was icy. "I assigned you to watch over Damien, to keep an eye on him, to help him heal and accept Seraphina as his wife. And yet he's parading around with, with some girl? Married, even? And you didn't think to inform me?"
Eric froze, scratching his head, words failing him.
"W-who is that girl? Where on earth did she come from?" Eleanor pressed, her voice rising.
"Erh, s-she... well, I think perhaps you should ask your son,"
"Don't play games with me, Eric," Eleanor snapped. "Where is she going with him so early in the morning? Doesn't she have anything doing? parading my son like a trophy?"
Eric swallowed hard. "No, ma'am. She's actually his personal assistant. And, also one of our top developers. Specializes in backend infrastructure and cybersecurity consulting."
When Seraphina heard those words, she gasped, her lips parting in disbelief. She had always thought Eva was nothing more than a pretty face with no substance, but now, hearing how sharp and brilliant she was, Seraphina's stomach twisted with unease.
"What?" Eleanor's voice cut sharply. "So she sneaked her way into our company just to trap my son?"
Eric shook his head firmly. "I don't think that's the truth, ma'am. Miss Eva has been working with the company for over a year, long before Boss Damien took over this branch."
"Notwithstanding," Eleanor pressed on, her tone dripping with disdain, "the fact that she could make my son take such a drastic decision such as marriage, especially so suddenly, only proves she's not to be trifled with. That girl is dangerous. She's a snake, and I think she needs to be fired."
Seraphina's heart leapt at those words, and she nodded quickly in agreement.
But Eric's calm rebuttal doused her excitement. "I'm afraid it's not so simple, ma'am. As we speak, Miss Eva is the mastermind behind a top-rated invention the company is currently developing."
"What?" Eleanor's eyes widened, genuine shock breaking through her usual composure. That fragile little thing? That insignificant girl? Intelligent? She harrumphed bitterly, turning her face aside in denial.
Eric bowed politely. "I have to leave now, ma'am." He turned and walked away, leaving the two women behind.
Eleanor sat back, her face clouded with thought, and Seraphina felt agitation stir in her chest. Panic clawed at her, if Eleanor faltered now, her plan would crumble.
"Mom," she burst out, her voice trembling with well-practiced emotion, "he isn't just married to her. They're also work-pals. They spend the whole day together during the day, and then come home together at night as a couple. How am I supposed to fight a love like that? Maybe… maybe I should just give up." Her eyes shimmered as she let crocodile tears slip down her cheeks.
"That's true, my dear," Eleanor said slowly, her hand reaching for Seraphina's, "but you mustn't give up so easily. Are you really willing to throw away everything you've done because of that opportunist?"
Seraphina lowered her gaze, her voice soft and trembling, every word dipped in practiced innocence. "Not really, Mom. I love Damien too much to let him go. But, I also want him to be happy, even if it's with her." She sounded like a fragile lotus swaying in the storm, and Eleanor, blind to the act, loved her all the more.
"You are such an angel," Eleanor murmured, stroking her hand. "You're everything I could wish for in my son's wife. Don't worry, I will reward you. You will be my daughter-in-law, Seraphina. I just need to think of a way to tear that woman away from Damien."
Seraphina rolled her eyes secretly, but the moment Eleanor's gaze flicked back to her, she painted on a gentle, shy smile. "Mom… What if I start working with Damien too? As his PA. That way, I can be close to him every single day, just like Eva." She bit her lip, lowering her lashes as if embarrassed. "I just... I can't help my jealousy. I want to be by his side too."
Eleanor hesitated, doubt flickering. "That's a noble thought, my dear, but... remember, you studied political science. You know nothing about coding or tech. Would you really fit in?"
Seraphina leaned closer, her voice silky but timid. "I would manage somehow. A PA doesn't need to code, she just needs to follow him around. And that, Mom, I can do."
Eleanor's expression softened again. "That's true. Don't worry, my dear. I'll speak to Damien. Go freshen up, we'll implement that right away."
Seraphina's lips curved into a sly, triumphant smile the moment Eleanor turned away. Damien's mother was wrapped tightly around her finger, and Seraphina intended to play that card until the very end.
Eva was at her desk opposite Damian's office working, until her phone chimed. She glanced at the screen, and her heart melted.
💌 Wifey, do you intend starving your husband to death?
Eva chuckled softly, biting her lip before replying.
💌 I woke up hungry too, but I dare not try breakfast. Your "guest" terrifies me.
His reply came instantly, and she could almost hear his voice through the words.
💌 You shouldn't be scared. I already told you, your hubby is perfectly capable of protecting you. And Mom isn't so bad once you get used to her.
Eva rolled her eyes, smiling in spite of herself.
💌 If you say so.
💌 I know so. Now... what do plan doing about my hunger?
💌 It's not even noon yet. Manage until break.
💌 Manage? I don't normally get hungry until evening. But ever since you started feeding me like a pig, I crave food before noon. This is entirely your fault, woman!
Eva laughed out loud, covering her mouth to stifle the sound. This guy…
💌 I've got so much work to do, though.
💌 Hand it over to Cathy.
💌 She's swamped already.
💌 I order you to pend that work Eva Myles. Let someone else handle it. An hungry man is an angry man.
💌 Okay, okay, I get it. I'll sneak to the kitchen now, glutton.
💌 Can you make that noodles you cooked once? The one with all those strange toppings? Especially the lobsters, I loved them.
Eva squinted at the phone, her heart fluttering.
💌 I thought you hated noodles.
💌 That was before you. I like them now. I like everything you make. Honestly, I like everything about you. Where have you been all my life, Eva?
Her smile softened, her fingers hovering over the keys. But before she could reply, a shadow fell over her desk. Eva looked up, startled, to see Eric looming.
"Miss Eva," he said sternly, his voice low but sharp, "you're supposed to be working, not... this." He gestured toward her phone. "Even if you're the boss's wife, you still hold a position here, and as long as you manage that position, you are expected to respect that seat. Also, since your marriage is still hidden, you should avoid raising suspicion."
Eva blinked, guilt washing over her. She glanced around and saw a few of her colleagues stealing glances, some glaring, some whispering. Heat crawled up her neck.
"Your colleagues already reported you," Eric continued. "If you don't want rumors spreading, be discreet."
"I understand, sir," Eva murmured, quickly shoving her phone aside, determined to focus.
But just as Eric turned to leave, his phone vibrated. He glanced at it, and facepalmed himself.
💌 Stop bothering her and release her at once!
Eric glanced up at the camera trained on Eva's desk, realizing Damian had been watching Eva the entire time.
Was he actually texting her and watching her reaction through the cameras? The chill.
Since when did my boss become so idle?
Turning back to Eva, Eric forced a tight smile. "Miss Eva, you may take a few minutes off. The F-team will cover your desk." His voice was polite, but his eyes betrayed irritation.
Eva smiled weakly back, half embarrassed, half grateful, before scrambling away. Behind her, the office buzzed with murmurs, and Cathy watched her retreat with a puzzled frown.
Eva hurried to the kitchen, pouring all her affection into preparing Damian's noodles. She seasoned them carefully, topped them with shrimp, fried turkey, eggs, and lobster, and whispered to herself, This has to be the best I've ever made.
Moments later, she carried the tray into Damian's office. At the sight of her, Damian shoved his reports aside, his eyes softening as she served the food. The aroma filled the air, and before she could even set the chopsticks down, he plucked a prawn with his bare hand and popped it into his mouth.
"Mmm," he groaned, savoring the flavor. "Perfect."
Eva gaped at him. "Mr. Neat-Freak, did I just see you eat with your hands?"
"I learned from you," he teased, chewing contentedly. "And it's not so bad."
She gasped dramatically and snatched a napkin, dabbing at his fingers. "Unbelievable. You're corrupted, Damian Lopez."
They were laughing softly as they eats their food, when the office door burst open. Eleanor swept in with Seraphina trailing behind.
You can imagine how Eleanor felt seeing Damien eating noodles. Her son at his desk, eating noodles with ravenous satisfaction, while Eva sat on the sofa nibbling hers too.
"What in God's name is this?" Eleanor's voice cracked like a whip. "Damian, eating junk? Since when did you start to eat noodles? Didn't you hate noodles so badly?" She turned her glare on Eva. "Is this the nonsense you feed my son? No, this can't work! One day you'll make him prefer living in a mud hut! This is outrageous. And why are you lounging around when you should be working? I cannot believe my eyes. Nonsense!"
Damian ignored her completely, devouring the last bite, licking his lips, and sipping water. Only after wiping his mouth clean did he look up, his jaw tightening.
"Mom," he said coldly, "I left home to escape your constant nagging and headaches. And yet here you are, bringing them straight to my office. What do you want this time?"
Eleanor's nostrils flared. "I want her out!" She pointed at Eva like she was filth.
Eva rolled her eyes, her chest burning with defiance.
"She is my PA. And more importantly..."
…" his eyes locked with Eva's, his voice softening just slightly, "...I need her."
"Then employ Seraphina. Let her work as your PA too!" Eleanor pressed, her voice sharp.
Damien scoffed, his eyes flicking to the sly smile tugging at Seraphina's lips. Of course. This ridiculous idea was hers. His mother wasn't foolish enough to come up with it on her own. He smirked coldly.
"Mom, please. You can't be serious."
"I am serious!" Eleanor snapped back. "That is why we are here in the first place. You should employ her."
"I already have enough PAs, and I don't need another. Even if I did," his tone dripped with disdain, "...I would never employ Seraphina. She knows nothing about my work, and frankly, I don't want her anywhere near it."
"Damien..." Eleanor began, her voice softening.
But his anger cut her off like a blade.
"Mom! I've indulged you all this while only because I know you're being manipulated, also because of the issues with Dad. But don't push it. Take Seraphina away from my sight! And never_ever_suggest such nonsense to me again!"
The room fell into a tense silence just then Eric entered unawares, a file in hand. He froze at the chaos unfolding before him. But before he could speak, Eleanor's head whipped toward him.
"Fine then! If Damien refuses, you, Eric, employ Seraphina, make seraphina your PA!"
Eric blinked, stunned, his jaw practically hitting the floor.
What the hell? Did they just throw me to the wolves? Oh my God I have just been used as a sacrificial lamb.
He stood rooted, speechless, while Seraphina's expression twisted into fury. Her hand nearly twitched to slap Eleanor across the face. That stupid fool! she fumed. This was not the plan.