Chapter 27: His step mum

Aileen’s POV

"Looks like guys do know the ‘pick-me’ girls after all," I mumbled, my lips parting slightly as I absentmindedly twirled the fork in my hands.

Anthony shifted his gaze to me, his sharp eyes narrowing slightly. "What are you smiling about?" he asked, his tone tinged with curiosity.

I tilted my head, feigning innocence as my eyes widened. "Did I say that out loud?" I murmured under my breath, darting a glance back at him.

He cleared his throat, clearly searching for the right words, and then gently set his fork down on the table. "Aileen, I don’t know Susan Harrington," he said, his voice firm but tinged with frustration.

"Anthony," I interjected, holding up my hand slightly to stop him, "it’s... It’s your personal life. You don’t owe me any explanation." My tone was steady, yet I felt a strange knot in my stomach.

I placed my fork down and rose from my seat, smoothing out the wrinkles in my blouse. "I think I’ll head to my room now. Some of us actually have work to do," I added, attempting to keep my voice light.

But before I could take another step, Anthony’s hand shot out, his fingers wrapping firmly but gently around my wrist. I froze and turned back to face him, my eyes searching his for an explanation.

"Remember what I said, Aileen," he said, his voice quiet but deliberate.

I furrowed my brows, trying to recall his words. "You say a lot of things every day," I replied with a small, unsure smile.

He rubbed his forehead, clearly exasperated, before meeting my gaze again. "Okay, listen. You’ve been a valuable part of Pennington and Price since the day you joined. I don’t want you to let anyone talk down to you—not my family, not the Harringtons, no one." His voice was steady, almost protective, as he spoke.

My lips parted, about to protest, but he cut me off before I could get a word in. "As long as you work for me, Pennington and Price will always look after you," he said, his eyes unwavering as he pointed a finger toward me.

I couldn’t help the small smile that crept onto my face. "Thank you, Anthony. See you tomorrow at your party. Good night," I said quickly, barely waiting for his response as I turned and walked away, eager to escape the intensity of the moment.

The next morning, I was awake by 7 a.m., feeling surprisingly energized. I chose a royal blue designer gown for the occasion, the smooth fabric hugging my figure perfectly. The glittering jewelry I wore caught the light, scattering tiny reflections across the room as I moved. After styling my hair in an unusual yet elegant way, I gave myself one last look in the mirror and smiled.

"Perfect," I murmured to myself before heading downstairs.

The house was already buzzing with activity as the first wave of guests began to arrive. The lavish arrangements—flowers, lights, and ornate decorations—transformed the space into something almost magical.

I couldn’t help but feel a sense of pride. "What a beautiful arrangement. I’ve obviously done a great job here," I thought, allowing myself a brief moment to enjoy the scene.

Just then, a man appeared in front of me, interrupting my thoughts. He stood straight, his hands clasped neatly in front of him, dressed sharply in a black suit with a perfectly adjusted bow tie.

"Miss Smith," he said politely, his soft voice accompanied by a slight smile.

I raised an eyebrow. "Yes?"

"Your presence is requested. Please follow me," he said, motioning with his hand.

I furrowed my brows. "If Anthony needed me, he could’ve just called me," I muttered under my breath.

"It’s not Mr. Price. It’s his stepmother," he clarified, his tone calm but firm.

"Oh..." My voice trailed off, and I hesitated for a moment before nodding. "Lead the way," I said reluctantly, following him as he guided me through the bustling crowd.

After weaving through the elegantly dressed guests, we finally reached a corner of the room where Mrs. Price sat. Dressed entirely in black, she exuded an air of authority. Her reddish lips curled into a small, mischievous smile as her piercing eyes met mine.

"Ma’am, Miss Smith," the man announced, gesturing toward me.

"Miss Smith, what a great pleasure," Mrs. Price said, her voice dripping with faux warmth. "You don’t mind if I steal you away from Anthony for a bit, do you?"

I maintained a calm expression as I sat down on the sofa opposite her. "Mrs. Price, what can I do for you?" I asked politely.

She gestured to the teapot in front of her and offered me a cup of tea. "Please, have a cup," she said with a smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes.

I hesitated, my fingers brushing against the edge of the cup but not lifting it.

"You seem so tense, Aileen. I promise, I won’t bite. Not today," she said with a soft chuckle, though her words carried an undertone that unsettled me.

I tilted my head slightly. "Let’s skip the small talk, Mrs. Price. What do you want from me?"

Her smile widened, as though she had been waiting for this moment. "I’m curious, Aileen. What do you think of my son? Do you find him attractive?" she asked casually, lifting her cup to her lips and taking a small sip.

I blinked, taken aback by the abruptness of her question. "Well... I imagine many people think he’s attractive," I replied cautiously.

She stood abruptly, the fabric of her cloak falling in soft folds onto the chair as she walked toward me.

"And you?" she pressed, her tone sharp now. "Do you find him attractive? Do you want to marry him?"

Her bluntness left me momentarily speechless. "Mrs. Price, I’m Anthony’s assistant," I said firmly, my voice steady despite the storm of emotions swirling inside me. "We’re colleagues. That’s all."

She bent closer, her voice dropping to a near whisper. "Office romances aren’t unheard of, Aileen. Be honest with yourself. Have you ever thought of Anthony as your husband?"

I shot up from my seat, my chest tightening with indignation. "Your questions are insulting, Mrs. Price. I’m a married woman, and I love my husband very much. So, if you’ll excuse me, I’d rather not continue this conversation."

Her eyes narrowed slightly, but her smile remained intact. "Well then," she said smoothly, her voice laced with mock approval. "That makes things easier."

I frowned, unsure of what she meant.

"Here’s the deal," she said, crossing her arms and leaning back slightly. "I want you to leave Anthony Price forever."