Mariam_Oseni

In the glittering heart of New York City, where power, money, and status define everything, Kate Johnson lives in the shadows—quiet, hardworking, and overlooked. As a live-in maid in the luxurious penthouse of Jade Williams, a cold, enigmatic billionaire heir, Kate keeps her head down and her heart guarded.

But one fateful night changes everything.

After an unexpected encounter laced with vulnerability and forbidden desire, Kate finds herself tangled in a web of secrets, betrayal, and passion. She soon discovers she’s pregnant—and her world flips. Jade, known for his ruthlessness in business and indifference to emotions, steps up with a shocking proposal: marriage. Not for love, but protection, reputation, and legacy.

What starts as a contract turns into a complicated dance of suppressed feelings, heated arguments, stolen glances, and undeniable chemistry. As Kate navigates the cold world of Manhattan elites and the vicious media, she begins to uncover truths about Jade’s past, including family betrayals, corporate conspiracies, and a hidden will that could destroy everything.

With a baby on the way, enemies circling, and a love neither of them expected growing in the unlikeliest of places, Kate must decide: is she just a pawn in Jade’s world—or the queen he never knew he needed?

Tangled with the Boss

The lights in the green room of The Today Show were brighter than Kate expected — harsh, hot, and completely unforgiving.

She sat before the mirror in a tailored navy jumpsuit, her curls carefully pinned back, lips painted a soft coral. Her heartbeat wasn't just fast — it thundered. The mic pack clipped to her back buzzed gently like it could sense her nerves.

Celine leaned against the doorframe, sipping a latte.

"I look like I'm pretending to be calm."

"That's the same thing on live television," Celine smirked.

Kate exhaled slowly. "You're sure they won't ambush me?"

"It's The Today Show, not a tabloid. And if they try it, lean in. You've earned your voice."

Kate nodded, adjusting her seat again. She kept looking at her notes even though she knew her talking points by heart.

"Five minutes," a crew member said.

Celine straightened. "You've got this. Be smart. Be bold. Be Kate Johnson."

She left Kate alone with her racing thoughts.

As she stepped onto the set, everything became surreal.

Bright lights. Giant cameras. A sea of crew members moving silently like dancers in black. And then there was the host, Camilla Ortiz — a seasoned anchor known for her charm and sharpness.

"Kate Johnson!" Camilla beamed as they shook hands. "It's an honor. You've stirred quite the conversation."

Kate smiled politely. "I hope it's the right kind."

The cameras started rolling. The red light blinked.

They started with softballs: the article, the campaign, the mission.

"Let's talk about the elephant in the room," Camilla said, crossing her legs. "You were involved romantically with your former boss, the CEO of a major foundation. Critics argue your current platform is built on scandal. How do you respond to that?"

"I built my platform on surviving a scandal, not creating one. I told the truth. I faced the fallout. And now, I'm using my voice to make sure no woman is ever silenced or shamed for loving boldly."

Camilla nodded. "And Jade Williams? Still part of your life?"

"He's not my headline. But yes — he's still in my life. Supportive. Respectful. And not afraid of my voice."

The segment wrapped with applause from the small audience off-camera.

Kate walked off the stage feeling ten feet tall.

A familiar face waited in the hallway.

Dark slacks. Expensive perfume. Blond hair in a sleek bob.

Kate's heels clicked softly as she approached. "What are you doing here?"

Evelyn tilted her head. "You look... different. More polished. Less naïve."

Kate folded her arms. "Get to the point."

"I saw the campaign. I watched the segment. I came to say congratulations… and a warning."

"You've lit a fire," Evelyn said coolly. "The men at the top? They don't like messy women with microphones. The more noise you make, the more they'll try to silence you."

Kate stepped forward, her voice like steel. "Then I'll scream louder."

Evelyn blinked. She wasn't used to Kate standing tall.

"You always had fight," she murmured. "I just never thought you'd aim it in the right direction."

Kate gave a tight smile. "That's because you were standing in the way."

Later that afternoon, Jade waited for her outside the studio in his car. When she climbed in, he handed her a single yellow tulip.

His jaw tightened. "What did she say?"

Kate turned to him. "That I should watch my back."

"And I told her I'm done watching. I'm acting."

Jade leaned over and kissed her softly — not out of ownership or lust, but out of something deeper. Respect. Gratitude. Fierce, unshaken love.

"You're incredible," he whispered.

Kate smiled, resting her forehead against his. "I know."

Chapter 14