Conrad
I had hung back after the event to wait for Maya so I could take her home with me. I have a car waiting for us around back. I am waiting in the lobby with a scotch. Most people have already gone, but there are just a few left. I wish they would all leave so I can take my girl home. She is exhausted, rightly so; it has been a long day for her.
She managed to avoid Bridget, thankfully. Bridget left the table a couple of hours after arriving and never returned. I saw her around, but she stayed away, which I was fine with. I know they haven’t encountered one another because Maya would have told me.
“Why are you still here?” I hear a voice ask.
I glance up and see Bridget standing in front of me.
“I am waiting for someone. Why are you still here?”
“I was looking for you. Someone said you left, though, so I was on my way out.” She smiles.
“Why were you looking for me?”
“I just wanted to say goodbye, is all. Who are you waiting for? You usually only wait around like this for a woman, but you have a girlfriend, so why would you be waiting for another woman unless you are cheating on Mia.”
I swear there is a hopeful look in her eyes. I think she wants me to be cheating on “Mia”.
“None of your business. And no, I am not cheating on her.” I snap.
“If you say so.” She shrugs.
“Did you say you were on your way out, Bridget?” I ask, annoyed.
“I am. You should be careful because you will surely get burnt if you play with fire.” She replies and walks away.
I shake my head and down the rest of the scotch. A text comes through from Maya.
Hey, handsome. I will be done in about ten minutes if you want to bring the car around front, just make sure you stay out of sight in case Meredith sees you xx
Okay, sweetheart. I will see you soon xx
I text my driver to bring the car around the front and head outside. As I approach the exit, I see Bridget talking with some people, and Meredith soon appears next to them. I glance around, making sure there is no sign of Maya.
I think about turning and walking back to avoid them, but I hear Meredith call my name before I can. I groan and smile, strolling over.
“Have you had a good night, Conrad? I was just saying to Bridget it is strange seeing you two together without being together. I always thought you two would end up back together.” She says sweetly.
I stop from rolling my eyes, “Yes, it has been a good night. No, Bridget and I will never get back together.” I make sure to ever firmly.
“You don’t know that no one knows what has to come. You two were supposed to be together. It would be a shame if you didn’t give it another chance.”
“Meredith, my personal life is none of your business. Bridget and I will not get back together. I have a girlfriend, someone who I am very happy with.” I snap.
I don’t know why people think they have the right to have a say in my personal life.
“Conrad, there is no need to be so rude.” Bridget lectures.
“No, there is no need for you or Meredith to have a say in my private life.” I hiss.
“Where is my damn assistant? I told her to bring my bag out ten minutes ago. The girl is useless.” Meredith complains.
I clenched my fists and bit my lip to stop from saying something to her. Meredith looks over.
“Finally, there she is,” she groans, “Maya, what is taking so long?” she adds in a yell.
Fuck! No! If Bridget turns around, she will see Maya. I make eye contact with Maya and see her instantly panic. She stops in her tracks, deciding what to do.
“Sorry, I forgot something. I will be back in a second.” Maya calls back.
Bridget’s eyes fall in Maya’s direction, and she sees her before she has a chance to rush away, “What did you say your assistant’s name was?” she asks, focusing her attention on me with a raised brow.
“Maya, why?” Meredith asks confused.
I shoot Bridget a warning glare. I swear to God, she better not say anything.
“She looks like someone else I know.” Bridget smiles.
Meredith sighed in frustration, excused herself, and followed Maya. Bridget grabs my arms, pulling us away from everyone else. She stands in front of me, arms over her chest.
“Tell me, Conrad, is your girlfriend a liar, and you don’t know who she really is, or do you know who she is but are lying about her and your relationship because of who she is? I know as well if your parents found out, Maya would be out of a job.”
“Again, my personal life is none of your business. My relationship is no one’s business except between the ones involved.”
“Why won’t you just tell your parents the truth, uh? Is it because of her job, or are you ashamed to be dating an assistant, especially a man of status?”
Bridget is smirking, enjoying every second of what is going on.
“No, I am not ashamed of her. I would never be ashamed of her. Tell me, what are you going to do about Bridget? Will you take joy in telling everyone the truth and ruining my girlfriend’s carer, or is the decent woman I once knew still inside of you somewhere?” I ask.
Bridget steps in closer to me, resting her hand on my chest, “I haven’t decided yet. I will be in touch.” She smiles and exits the building.
Fuck! I don’t know what to do. Maybe Maya and I should tell the truth before Bridget has a chance to do it for us. Yes, Maya will be fired, but if the information comes from someone else it will probably make things worse. I tug at my hair in frustration.
I need to find Maya. I rush back inside and see her with Meredith, who seems to be scolding her. No, I have had enough of this bullshit. I make my way over, and none of them notice me.
“Meredith, that is enough.”
With the sound of my voice, they both swing around to face me. Maya is panicking, not sure what I am going to say next.
“I was only having a conversation with my assistant.” She says, trying to act innocent.
“No, you were scolding her again, probably for nothing. She has worked hard for you tonight. She has done more than you, so back off. You need to learn to treat your staff better because if you don’t, I will make sure you are replaced.” I state firmly.
I may not be able to defend Maya as my girlfriend, but I am done letting Meredith treat her like crap, especially with how hard she works for her.
“You can’t talk to me like that.” Meredith snaps.
“Yes, I can, remember you work for my family, and if you don’t make changes, I promise you, I will find someone better. I don’t care that you are friends with my parents. The way you treat your staff is inappropriate.” I reply.
Her head falls forward, “I am sorry, Sir. I will try to be better.” She whispers.
I know she won’t. She is a liar.
“Yes, make sure you do. Now, leave. Maya had a home to go to.”
Meredith says goodbye and rushes out.
“Conrad, why did you do that? You know she is just going to take it out on me when I am back in the office on Monday.” Maya whispers.
“Because she needs to know she can’t treat people in such ways. And you need to learn to stand up for yourself, angel.” I say softly.
“It isn’t that simple.” She whimpers.
“Yes, it is. You can keep letting her treat you like that.” I reply and reach for her hand.
“Can you please just take me home?” she sighs.
I nod, and we head out. We make sure no one else is around before going to the waiting car.
“Did Bridget see me?” she asks nervously.
I sigh, “Yes, but don’t worry about her. I will deal with that. You have had a hectic day; we can discuss it tomorrow. For now, you need to sleep.” I say and slip my arm around her shoulder.
She nods and places her head against me, “I am too exhausted to think anyway.”
“Then don’t think and sleep, sweetheart,” I say and kiss the top of her head.
I can carry her inside. I don’t know how I am going to deal with it, but I will. Maya has enough going on in her life without needing to deal with Bridget too.