He Gave Me $800 and Expected Me to Stay?! Yeah, No… Watch Me Turn the Tables Chapter 09

He Gave Me $800 and Expected Me to Stay?! Yeah, No… Watch Me Turn the Tables Chapter 09

“Boyfriend?” 

I raised an eyebrow and tried to pull my hand back. 

“Mr. Sterling, that’s a hell of a leap. From kitchen help straight to boyfriend?” 

Vincent Sterling tightened his grip and wouldn’t let go. 

He pulled a delicate velvet box from his pocket. 

Opened it with one hand. 

A blinding pink diamond ring sat inside. 

“Chloe, I never knew how to love someone.” 

“I thought giving you money and a cushy life counted as treating you well.” 

“I was arrogant. I was full of myself. I was even stupid enough to let someone else pull the wool over my eyes.” 

He looked into my eyes, voice low and sincere. 

“You taught me that real feelings are equal.” 

“I don’t want to treat you like a canary in a cage anymore.” 

“I want to stand shoulder to shoulder with you.” 

He took out another document and held it out. 

“This is the share–transfer for Sterling Group’s restaurant division.” 

“I’m starting a new brand. It’s called Chloe’s Wraps.” 

“I’m putting your breakfast wraps on every corner of the planet.” 

I stared at the share–transfer and went completely blank. 

This man was serious. 

He wasn’t looking down and handing me charity. 

He was treating me like an equal partner. 

“Vincent Sterling, have you lost your mind?” 

I swallowed. 

“You’re using a multinational’s resources to sell breakfast wraps?” 

“If it makes you happy, I’ll sell anything.” 

Vincent Sterling dropped to one knee. 

In that cramped kitchen, his tall frame looked a little squeezed. 

The look on his face was dead solemn. 

“Ms. Paige, any interest in acquiring this kitchen help?” 

“Let me work for you for the rest of my life?” 

My heart skipped. 

I looked at the hope in his eyes and bit my lip. 

“Depends on how you do,” 

I didn’t take the ring. I didn’t take the papers either. 

“Go bus that table first.” 

Vincent Sterling froze, then his eyes lit up like he’d won the lottery. 

“Yes, Boss!” 

He shot to his feet and, apron still on, charged out to clear the table. 

Watching him fumble around, all clumsy and fired up. 

I couldn’t help laughing out loud. 

Maybe giving this arrogant capitalist a chance to start over. 

Wasn’t the worst idea. 

In no time it was the end of the year. 

The first Chloe’s Wraps flagship store opened on the busiest commercial street downtown. 

Ribbon–cutting day, wall–to–wall people. 

Mom sat in her wheelchair in a new bright red winter coat, grinning so hard she couldn’t close her mouth. 

Her new prosthetic fit perfectly. The doctor said a few more months of recovery and she’d walk normally again. 

The orphanage kids ran around the shop in matching new uniforms. 

Every one of them had a deluxe breakfast wrap with two eggs. 

I stood in the doorway. 

Watching the noise and the crowd, my eyes stung a little. 

From scraping by on an $800 monthly allowance to founding my own restaurant brand. 

It all felt like a dream. 

“Ms. Paige, what are you spacing out for?” 

Vincent Sterling wrapped his arms around my waist from behind. 

Rested his chin on my shoulder. 

Today he was in a custom suit, wearing an apron printed with the Chloe’s Wraps logo. 

It looked wrong and ridiculous. 

“I was wondering how much garlic Mr. Sterling peeled today.” 

I turned and pinched his nose. 

“Reporting in, Boss. Ten pounds today. My hands are about 

to fall off.” 

He leaned in and kissed my cheek. 

“Any reward?” 

I shoved him away, disgusted. 

“You reek of garlic. Back up.” 

Vincent Sterling pouted, all wounded, 

“You’re getting meaner to me by the day.” 

“Whose fault is it you’re a wage slave on a fixed paycheck now?” 

I teased him, laughing. 

Ever since he transferred the shares to me, he’d only kept a figurehead title at the company: Special Advisor. 

Every month he collected the paycheck I issued him. 

He’d gone fully whipped. 

“What’s wrong with being a wage slave? A still get the girl.” 

wage slave can Vincent Sterling crowded in again and held me tight. 

“Chloe, thank you.” 

He said it softly against my ear. 

“Thank you for not giving up on me. Thank you for giving me a home.” 

I leaned against his chest and listened to his solid heartbeat I couldn’t stop the smile. 

“Alright, cut the sap.” 

I patted his hand. 

“Vincent Sterling, go make me another wrap. Two eggs!” 

He snapped to attention and threw a sloppy salute. 

“Yes, my wife!” 

I watched him, apron on, laughing as he ran into the kitchen. 

I let out a long breath. 

This life, full of ordinary noise and heat. 

It was really good. 

[The End]