Chapter Two: The Hidden Tensions and Unspoken Truths
1023 Words
Maya's heart jumped at Anderson's comment. Was he recognizing her, or was it just a passing remark?
She tried to play it off, keeping her tone light. "Well, I don't think we've met before, Mr. Anderson. Maybe I just have one of those faces that seems familiar."
"Well, maybe you just look like some faces I have seen, are you married?"
Maya narrowed her eyes at the question, "Married? Oh! No, I am single"
"Cool, do you mind going to dinner with me tonight? I'd love to hang up"
"Dinner?" Maya repeated, her mind racing. This was exactly the kind of situation she had been trying to avoid. If she accepted, Anderson might start to put the pieces together. But if she declined, she could risk offending him or raising his suspicions even further.
"I...I'm not sure," she stammered. "I have a lot of work to do, and I'm not sure I can..."
"It's just a dinner and that's after work, you don't have anything to be worried about"
Maya paused, and couldn't say anything. She already thought not to tell him about their first encounter and not to be close to him, she just wants to maintain a staff and boss relationship with him.
"That reminds me, because of your hard work, your salary is doubled, check your mail to see more"
Maya could not keep the joy to herself, she shouted for joy. The thought of taking care of her child as a single mother had been on her mind, after she found a job paying her a huge amount, she felt relief, now they have doubled her salary.
Jonathan smiled seeing her happy. He watched Maya's joyous reaction to the need, his own smile widening. He couldn't help but feel a stirring of attraction. Her enthusiasm and gratitude were endearing, and he found himself wanting to know more about her.
"I would be going to my office now, we will meet later in the evening...", "And note, not in an official dress" He smiled and left.
As the day drew to a close, Maya began to feel anxious about the upcoming dinner.r
She felt a flutter of nerves in her stomach. She doesn't know how to react to the upcoming dinner, she doesn't know if she's to be happy about it.
"What's he trying to do?" She thought to herself. "Probably that's how he does to every one of his staff, don't let me be anxious about it yet" She said to herself.
She closed from work, and went straight home to prepare for the dinner.
She took a shower and carefully chose a simple but elegant dress that showed just enough skin to be alluring, but not enough to be inappropriate. She applied some light makeup, then paused to look at herself in the mirror.
She was done. So she went out to take a cab. After thirty minutes, she got there. She entered and met him sitting. That was the first day she would see him in a casual dress.
"He is very handsome" She said to herself, while walking to meet him.
He rose as she approached, giving her a warm smile.
"Maya, you look stunning," he said, pulling out a chair for her.
"Thank you, Mr. Anderson," she replied, trying to sound as professional as possible.
They seated, they brought the menu list, Jonathan ordered Maya to choose whatever she would like to take.
Maya carefully took the menu list and ordered pasta and water, meanwhile Jonathan ordered only non-alcoholic drinks.
The two were staring at each other and could not utter a word.
The atmosphere in the restaurant was tense with anticipation. Maya's palms were beginning to sweat as she took a sip of her water. She couldn't help but feel like the elephant in the room was growing larger with each passing second.
Finally, Jonathan cleared his throat and spoke. "I must say, I'm impressed by your work ethic, Maya. You've really hit the ground running since you started."
Maya smiled, relieved that the conversation had turned to a safe topic. "I'm just trying to do my best, Mr. Anderson."
"Well, I just think I should thank you for that, hence, asking you to come out for dinner, hope I didn't step out of my boundary"
Maya, trying to hide her uneasiness. "No, it's good to appreciate one's staff, and go build a good spirit, you are a good boss, I must say"
"Thank you very much" He said.
Maya was worried and was thinking, why would he ask for dinner? She wants to be sure if he remembered her and is trying to disguise.
"Do you remember me now?" She asked.
"No, I thought we concluded that, the other day"
"Yes, I am just worried"
He couldn't stop himself from stealing glances at her throughout dinner, admiring the way she carried herself with poise and grace. The more he learned about her, the more intrigued he became, wanting to uncover every layer of her personality.
Maya was feeling uncomfortable the way he stared at her.
“Huh, thank you very much for these, it will save me the stress of looking for what to eat this night”
“If you want this every night, I don't mind…”
“Huh!”
Jonathan, trying to control his feelings. “That was a mistake, but I am a kind guy, if you want this every night, I don't mind”
Maya faked a smile, “Thank you”
After some minutes, they both ordered something else.
Finally, after the waiter had cleared their dishes, Maya took a deep breath and leaned forward.
“Mr. Anderson, I would love to take my leave now, it's getting late and there's a stated time for closing the gate, I appreciate your generosity”
“You are welcome, it's fine, do you mind dropping you off”
“I would appreciate that”
They both left the building, and went straight to his car.
She described her house to him, and he drove gently to her house.
When they got there, and realized the gate has been locked
- Writer
