Midnight Heat

Hired By My Best friend’s Dad

Maya’s POV

My heart was beating very fast i. It felt like a small drum was hitting my ribs over and over. I quickly pulled my hand from under my dress and smoothed the blue cloth down with shaky fingers. My face felt hot. Not from happiness. From panic.

I heard Chloe’s soft footsteps walking on the wooden floor outside the thick rug.

“Dad? Hello? Your admin said you were here,” she called.

I could not speak. My throat felt tight. I just stared at the door when it slowly opened. Chloe walked in like sunshine. She wore a yellow summer dress. Her blonde hair was tied in a messy bun. Some strands fell around her smiling face.

She stopped when she saw me. “Maya! Oh my goodness, what are you doing here?” she said happily. She rushed to hug me tightly.

Her coconut shampoo smell felt nice but also made me remember the strong leather and musk smell still hanging in the air around me. Around my body. The memory made my skin tingle in a strange, warm way. I hugged her back, but my body felt stiff.

“I… my job started earlier than planned. Last minute change,” I said. My voice sounded small.

She pulled away and looked at me carefully. Her smile almost faded for one second.

“Wow. You look red. Are you okay? Is my dad working you too hard already?” She laughed, but her eyes were still checking my face.

“It was warm in here,” I said, looking away. I could still feel memories of him on my skin. The feeling was like electricity under my clothes. “I am fine. Just adjusting.”

“Where is the boss tyrant anyway?” Chloe asked, dropping into the chair behind my desk like she owned it. She spun once in the chair. “He is in a meeting. He just left,” I said.

“Perfect! Then you can rest a little. It is strange seeing you sitting at his desk.” She giggled, playing with a fancy pen.

“So tell me. Is he being very mean? You can tell me. I will not tell anyone.” Guilt felt heavy inside my chest. His warning voice came back in my mind. Not a word to Chloe. I swallowed.

“He is very strict. Very detailed,” I said. That was true. My body still remembered him.

“That is my dad,” she said, smiling with soft love. “All business. No emotions. Mom used to say he had ice in his heart.” She laughed lightly, but sadness passed across her face quickly.

Then she brightened again. “Anyway! I have something to ask you.”

I tried to focus. “A proposition?” I asked.

“Yes! Party. Saturday night, Tomorrow. Vandermere estate.” Her eyes sparkled. “Big rich party. Masks. Everyone wears masks. No names. Just fun.”

“A masquerade?” I asked softly. “Yes! And I need a partner. Come with me, Maya. Please? We can dress nice. Drink champagne. Dance. No one will know us. Just freedom.”

The idea felt exciting. Like breathing fresh air. One night where I was not stressed about money or work or secrets. “I don’t know, Chlo…”

“Please?” She grabbed my hands. Her touch was warm and innocent. I felt guilty because I was hiding something from her. “Like old times. Just us.”

She winked. “Maybe you will meet a handsome masked billionaire. Not like my dad.”

The joke felt heavy in my chest. I forced a small smile. “Okay. I will go.”

“Yes!” She clapped happily. “I will send details. We need beautiful masks. Something mysterious and pretty.”

She kept talking about dresses and party themes. My eyes moved to the big empty desk. Everything looked clean. Like nothing had happened there earlier. No sign of what we did. No sign of my weakness.

Chloe suddenly spoke in a softer voice. “You know,” she said, touching her father’s desk gently, “you are not the first.”

My blood turned cold. “The first what?” I asked slowly. “Assistant,” she said. “He changes assistants often. They never stay long. Some quit. Some get fired.”

She shrugged. “I just hope you stay. I would hate for him to push away my best friend.”

The words sank in my stomach like heavy stones. I was not the first. The office. The commands. The cold behavior after heat. I felt something strange inside me. Not fear. Something stronger. Competition.

I was not like the others. “I am not going anywhere,” I said quietly but firmly.

She smiled brightly. “Good. I am counting on you.”

She checked her phone suddenly. “Oh no! I am late for class. I will send you party details later! Love you!” She ran out, blowing me a kiss. Silence came back into the room.

I looked at the tablet on the desk. The work tasks were waiting. My fingers hovered over the screen. Then I opened a new message note.

I typed slowly: Mr Havisham. The car is ready for 7 PM. Lunch order is sent. I will finish other tasks soon.

I paused. My thumb stayed over the send button. Then I added one more line, I am learning quickly. Thank you, sir.

I sent the message. My heart was beating fast. Not from fear, Just nervous excitement.

My phone stayed quiet. No reply came immediately. I put the tablet down and tried to focus on work. But my mind kept thinking about the masquerade party.

Chloe had said it would be fun. No names, No problems. Just freedom.

I smiled softly. Maybe for one night, I could forget everything. I continued working quietly at the small desk beside his big office table.

But then my phone vibrated inside my bag. I quickly checked. It was a message from Chloe. “I am sending you party details tonight! Wear something beautiful”

I smiled and put my phone away.

It felt like my own small secret. For the first time, I felt like I was living two different lives.

The girl who worked to survive. And the girl who wanted to feel free sometimes.

Time passed slowly. At 5 PM, I saved my work and stood up from the chair.

“Good evening, sir,” I said softly toward Mr Havisham’s closed office door. No answer came.

I picked up my bag and walked out the building. I ordered a cab.

The cab stopped in front of my apartment building. I paid the driver and walked inside slowly. The elevator was still broken, so I climbed the stairs step by step.

My apartment felt quiet and safe when I entered. I dropped my bag on the chair and checked my phone.

Chloe had sent party details. She also sent a picture of a black and silver mask she bought for me.