Maya pushed the apartment door and immediately kicked off her heels with frustration. The interview had gone terribly.
No. Terriblely wasn't even the right word.
The moment she stepped into the conference room and saw those cold grey eyes staring back at her, every answer she had practiced vanished from her head.
"Maya?"
Williams walked out of the kitchen holding a glass of juice. The smiles on his face faded the second he noticed her expression.
"How did it go?"
Maya dropped her bag on the couch and forced a weak smile.
" I think I just embarrassed myself in front of an entire company."
William let out a small laugh and placed the glass on the table before sitting beside her.
"Come here."
The softness in his voice almost made her cry.
She sat beside him, exhaustion weighing heavily on her shoulders. William gently held her hand and rubbed circles against her skin.
" You're overthinking again," he said. "You always do this after interview."
" This one was different,"
" How?"
Maya hesitated.
Because she couldn't exactly tell her husband that the man interviewing her was her ex.
Edward Carter.
Even after four years, she recognised him instantly.
The same sharp jawline.
The same cold eyes.
The same suffocating presence that made her forget how to breathe.
" Nothing," she lied guietly. " I just... froze."
William sighed and pulled her closer.
" If they don't hire you, then it's their loss,"
Maya smiled faintly.
Some year ago, William had been the successful CEO of a growing company. They had been happy then.comfortable and stable.
Then everything collapsed.
When Williams's company became bankrupt
Now Maya was desperately searching for work, while William take care of the house.
" Go take a shower," William said softly.
" Dinner's almost ready."
Her eyes widened slightly.
"You cooked?"
He grinned proudly." Your favourite."
" Spaghetti?"
" With extra cheese,"
Maya finally laughed softly.
" Okay... maybe I married the right man after all."
William gasped dramatically. "After all? Wow. I'm offended."
For a moment, the heaviness in her chest disappeared.
Later that night, William slept peacefully beside her While Maya stared blankly at the ceiling.
Sleep refused to come.
Every time she closed her eyes, she saw Edward again.
The way his gaze locked onto hers the second she entered the interview room.
The slight smirk on his lips. The dangerous calmness in his expression. It terrified her how easily he still affected her.
what was he even doing there.
Maya carefully slipped out of bed and walked into the living room with her laptop.
If Atlast innovation rejected her, she needed to start searching for another job immediately.
Bills we're pilling up too quickly.
She opened her email absentmindedly while scrolling through job application when a new notification suddenly appeared at the top of the screen.
Atlast Innovation.
Her heartbeat stopped.
slowly, Maya clicked on the email.
Her hands trembled slightly as she ready the first line.
" Congratulations, Mrs White. "
Her eyes widened.
" You have officially been offered the position of personal assistant at Atlast Innovation. "
Maya froze.
personal assistant?
That wasn't even the position she applied for. Still, relief flooded through her instantly.
she got the job.
" oh my God." Her voice came out louder than expected. "Maya?"
William suddenly rushed out of the bedroom, panic written all over his face. " what happened?!" She quickly turned the laptop toward him. William scanned the email before his expression completely changed.
"You got it?"
Maya nodded excitedly.
" I got it."
William immediately pulled her into a tight hug.
" I told you," he said proudly. "I told you they'd be lucky to have you."
Maya hugged him back, but deep inside, something felt strangely unsettling.
--------
Miles away, inside a dark penthouse overlooking the city lights, a tall figure stood silently beside the glass window with a dink in his hand. His cold grey eyes remained fixed on the city below as he replayed the interview from earlier that day inside his head.
Maya's shocked expression.
The way her lips parted when she saw him. The panic she tried but failed to hide. A slow smirk appeared on his face. He still wonder why she reacted that way.
His phone suddenly rang.
Edward answered calmly.
" Boss," the voice from the other end said. "It's done."
Edward took a slow sip of whiskey.
" Good."
The call ended.
Edward loosened his tie slightly before staring down at the glowing city beneath him.
Four year ago, Maya walked away from him without looking back.
Noe fate had brought her right back into his life.
Anf this time.. he had no intention of letting her go again.