Feelings Under Construction

CHAPTER 3: He's A Total Disaster!

Maya walked in slowly, her heels tapping against the black tiles. Every glass wall reflected her face back at her, reminding her she's got swollen eye bags and dark circles crying too much over the weekend.

The floors could mirror your soul if you looked down long enough.

She kept her chin up.

Only a few workers looked her way, some smiled politely, their smiles felt like a silent mock, she's sure they must have seen her video.

Others didn’t even blink. The usual busy energy at Everhart Rides. Engineers scrolling tablets, marketing people on calls. Nobody whispered or pointed at her.

“Maybe today won’t be as horrifying as I imagined,” she told herself.

She walked past the art piece near the corner, the giant abstract one she still couldn’t understand its meaning or purpose.

Her hands tightened around her sketch folder as she stepped into the meeting room.

Then she spotted him.

Gray was already seated, talking, smiling and laughing like he's been here for years.

She blinked.

She hadn't seen him properly the other night, not in all that dim party light. He was even more handsome now. More put together. She swallowed hard. He looked like he stepped out of a luxury car ad.

His handsomely defined jawline, the way his shirt rested on his frame, like the fabric itself loves him. Her eyes lingered on him for a few seconds.

“Maya,” a sharp elbow nudged her. “Stop checking him out. You’ll get pregnant.”

She laughed under her breath, turning to Natasha.

“I’m not checking him out.” Maya replies, walking towards the meeting table, a little smile playing on her cheeks.

“Oh, I know you weren’t.” Tasha smirked, eyes teasing.

Maya looked at her.

She wished she could borrow a little of Tasha’s energy today. Her friend always looked lit from within, her dark skin always glowing, voice fierce and confident. Her razor cut hair looked like she trims it every morning.

Maya heaved a deep sigh, she felt dull beside Tasha, like a faded version of herself.

She pulled a chair back and sat, tucking her hair in a neat bun.

While she was packing her hair, across the table, Gray’s eyes met hers.

He smiled just enough then looked away.

Her chest tightened. What was that smile? Did he know something she didn’t? Was it sympathy? Mockery?

She hated that she was even wondering.

Mr. Sebastian walked in, clapping his hands softly. “Alright, good morning, team.”

Murmured greetings followed.

“I’d like you all to meet Grayson here," he said, gesturing towards Gray.

He’s our new engineer. Very skilled. He’ll be handling functional integrations with the design team. That means making sure our cars don’t just look good, but work brilliantly too.”

Gray stood up, Maya’s gaze followed him.

“Thanks, Mr. Sebastian,” Gray responded, his voice warm but strong. “It’s a pleasure to be here.”

Sebastian nodded. “Over the weekend, I gave Gray Maya’s design for the Driftor 3.0. Gray, how is your integration cooking along?”

Gray gave a slight shrug. “Oh, it’s not just cooking. I think it’s almost medium rare.”

A few chuckles spread around and everyone's face lightened.

Gray walked to the front and tapped on the screen. A clean, animated model of Maya's Driftor 3.0 design spun slowly.

“First off,” he began, “whoever drew this, has a mind like no other.”

Maya’s heart skipped.

He looked at her. “Seriously. The design is bold, daring, and sleek.”

Then he turned to the screen, pointing. “But when we talk about actually building this, about how it moves, how it keeps people safe… this kind of curve, beautiful as it is” He paused, his eyes sweeping the room.

“it makes it…a sleek and luxurious moving coffin for clients.”

The room was quiet. Maya’s breath skipped.

“Did he just?” Tasha whispered into Maya's ear.

“Yes, he did, he called my design a moving coffin for clients” Maya said, nodding her head, holding back the storm of anger growing inside her.

“The aesthetics are stunning, yes,” Gray went on, his voice still calm, like he hadn’t just dropped a bomb on Maya.

“But we need to make some adjustments to the design. Minor changes that keep the vision alive but make the car actually work without ruining the aerodynamics.” He said looking back at Maya.

“Otherwise, we have a very pretty sculpture that can’t actually drive.”

He finished his speech. Mr. Sebastian nodded slowly, a big smile spreading across his face.

“Excellent, Gray!” Mr. Sebastian boomed. “That’s the kind of no-nonsense, practical observation I love to hear! Form and function, working together.

He clapped Gray on the shoulder. “Thank you so much, Gray. Maya, you heard him. You two need to work together. Take Gray’s feedback and come up with the best results, Your design, his functionality, we need both brains on this.”

Maya nodded, staring into the file on her desk.

Sebastian went on. “This project needs to blow minds! Andre, Tasha, I want killer launch teasers, create the best marketing punch and anticipation for the launch. Any killer updates from Maya and Gray, bring them to life.”

“Let’s get to work, people. Launch day’s around the corner.”

Chairs scraped, papers rustled, people started to move out

Maya didn’t. She stared at Gray.

Still sitting like he hadn’t just embarrassed her in front of the team.

He stood, picked up his tablet and headed toward the hallway.

Maya stood too. The chair squeaked behind her. Her legs moved before her mind caught up as she followed him. She needed to confront him.

“How dare he call my sleepless nights a coffin for clients” she growled under her breath.

He slowed down, sensing her behind.

“That was such an impressive speech,” she said, her voice sharp.

He turned, casual.

“Oh, thank you.” He smiled, looking genuinely pleased.

She stepped closer.

“Just who the hell do you think you are?” Maya roared at him.

He lifted a brow, a smirk sitting on his lips, like he knew exactly what he was doing.

“I’m Gray, A big fan of your work.” He stretched out his hand. “Pleasure to formally meet you.”