FINDING ME AT 24

CHAPTER THREE - The Coldest Room

Maya sat at her desk, staring at the computer screen.

The cursor blinked back at her.

Once.

Twice.

Again.

She had been sitting there for nearly five minutes.

Not because she didn't know what to do.

She knew exactly what to do.

She was just trying to convince herself that moving across the country, starting a new job, and accidentally accusing her CEO of stealing her handbag had not been a series of terrible life decisions.

Around her, the office moved with quiet efficiency.

Phones rang occasionally. Keyboards clicked. People passed through the hallway carrying folders, coffee cups, and expressions that suggested they had somewhere much more important to be.

Nobody looked particularly happy.

Maya frowned.

Maybe that was normal.

Maybe this was simply what working at a big company looked like.

She turned back to her screen.

Her responsibilities were straightforward enough.

Organize Alexander's files.

Manage his schedule.

Respond to emails.

Arrange meetings.

Simple.

At least, that's what she'd told herself.

"Maya?"

She looked up.

A woman stood beside her desk with a stack of folders tucked against her chest. She looked close to Maya's age, perhaps a little older, and unlike most of the people Maya had seen that morning, she was smiling.

"Yes?"

"I'm Sophie."

Maya smiled back.

"Hi."

"I work in finance."

"Nice to meet you."

Sophie's eyes drifted toward the large office behind Maya.

The door was closed.

"You're his new secretary?"

Maya followed her gaze.

"Yes."

Sophie's expression changed.

Only slightly.

"Oh."

Maya slowly turned back to her.

"What?"

"Nothing."

"That definitely wasn't a nothing face."

Sophie laughed.

"You're observant."

"I try to be."

Sophie leaned a little closer.

"Just... good luck."

Maya smiled.

"Is he really that bad?"

Sophie glanced toward Alexander's office again, as though saying his name too loudly might summon him.

"Let's just say Alexander Harrison doesn't believe in unnecessary conversation."

Maya considered that.

"Well, I don't have a problem with silence."

Sophie nodded.

"Good."

She started walking away, then paused.

"Oh, and Maya?"

"Yes?"

"Don't take anything he says personally."

Maya's smile faded slightly.

"I won't."

Sophie gave her a sympathetic look before walking away.

Maya stared at Alexander's closed office door.

"Interesting."

She turned back to her computer.

Something told her she was about to understand exactly what Sophie meant.

---

An hour later, the office door opened.

Maya looked up.

Alexander stepped out.

It was strange how quickly the atmosphere changed when he entered a room.

Conversations quieted.

People straightened in their chairs.

Even the constant movement around the office seemed to slow.

Maya stood immediately.

"Yes, sir?"

Alexander walked toward her desk and placed a file in front of her.

"I need these documents arranged before twelve."

Maya glanced down.

"Okay."

"And reschedule my two o'clock meeting."

She opened her calendar.

"Sure."

Alexander turned to leave.

Maya scanned the schedule.

Then looked up.

"Mr. Harrison?"

He stopped.

"Yes?"

"The two o'clock meeting is with Mr. Collins, right?"

"Yes."

"He specifically requested two because he's flying out this afternoon."

Alexander looked at her.

"And?"

Maya blinked.

"And if I reschedule it, he won't be available again until next week."

For a moment, Alexander said nothing.

His expression remained perfectly calm.

"Then find another time."

Maya frowned.

"Another time today?"

"Yes."

"But his assistant said-"

"I didn't ask what his assistant said."

His voice wasn't raised.

That somehow made it worse.

Maya stared at him.

"Right."

Alexander turned away.

Then stopped.

"Anything else?"

She hesitated.

The sensible thing would have been to say no.

Smile.

Do the work.

Keep her first job.

But something about the way he'd dismissed her irritated her.

She wasn't incompetent.

And she wasn't there to magically read his mind.

"Yes."

Alexander turned back.

"If you want me to manage your schedule properly, I need you to tell me what you want instead of expecting me to guess."

Silence.

The kind of silence that made Maya immediately aware of how many people were sitting nearby.

A few heads lowered.

Suddenly, everyone seemed deeply fascinated by their computer screens.

Maya's heart began pounding.

Maybe she'd gone too far.

Maybe Sophie was right.

Maybe Alexander Harrison wasn't someone people spoke back to.

Alexander looked at her for a long moment.

Maya held his gaze.

She wasn't trying to be disrespectful.

But she wasn't going to be treated like she couldn't do her job either.

Finally, Alexander nodded.

"Fair enough."

Then he turned and walked back into his office.

Maya stood there for another second.

Then slowly sat down.

Across the room, Sophie was staring at her.

Maya raised an eyebrow.

"What?"

Sophie shook her head.

"Nothing."

"You're doing that face again."

Sophie smiled.

"You just told Alexander Harrison how to communicate."

Maya shrugged.

"He asked."

A laugh escaped Sophie.

"You're brave."

Maya looked toward Alexander's office.

"Or stupid."

Sophie considered it.

"Maybe both."

Maya smiled.

That sounded about right.

---

By twelve-thirty, Maya had finally finished organizing the documents.

She leaned back in her chair and stretched her shoulders.

Her phone vibrated.

Mum calling...

A smile appeared immediately.

She answered.

"Hello?"

"Good afternoon, my baby."

Maya smiled.

"Hi, Mum."

"How are you?"

"I'm good."

"How is the job?"

Maya glanced toward Alexander's office.

She lowered her voice.

"Interesting."

Her mother laughed.

"Interesting how?"

"It's just... different."

"Are they treating you well?"

"Yes."

Maya paused.

"Mostly."

There was silence on the other end.

Maya immediately regretted saying that.

"What does mostly mean?"

"Nothing, Mum."

"Maya."

She smiled.

"I'm fine."

"Have you eaten?"

Maya looked at the clock.

She hadn't.

Again.

"I'm about to."

"You said that yesterday."

"Mum..."

"And the day before."

"I know."

"You need to take care of yourself."

"I will."

Her mother's voice softened.

"I just worry about you."

Maya looked down.

"I know."

"You're so far away."

"I'll be okay."

"I know you're brave."

Maya's smile faded.

Her mother continued gently.

"But being brave doesn't mean you have to do everything alone."

For a moment, Maya couldn't speak.

The words settled somewhere deep inside her.

"I know, Mum."

"Call me later."

"I will."

"And Maya?"

"Yes?"

Her mother's voice became warm.

"I'm proud of you."

Maya looked down quickly.

Her eyes burned.

"Thanks, Mum."

After they ended the call, Maya remained still for a moment.

She missed home.

More than she wanted to admit.

---

"Everything okay?"

Maya looked up.

Sophie stood beside her desk.

"Yeah."

"You looked sad."

Maya smiled.

"Just my mum."

Sophie's expression softened.

"Ah."

She nodded knowingly.

"Mothers have a way of doing that."

"You have siblings?"

"One younger sister."

"Lucky."

Sophie laughed.

"You?"

"Only child."

"That explains everything."

Maya frowned.

"What does that mean?"

Sophie leaned against the edge of the desk.

"You're clearly spoiled."

Maya gasped.

"I am not."

"I knew you'd say that."

"You don't even know me!"

"And yet, somehow, I already know I'm right."

Maya tried to look offended.

She failed.

Within minutes, they were laughing.

Their conversation moved easily from work to food, then to New York and the ridiculous amount of money people apparently expected you to pay for rent.

By the time lunch was over, Maya realized she'd spent nearly an hour talking to someone she'd met that morning.

It felt good.

Comfortable.

Maybe New York was beginning to give her something besides anxiety.

Maybe she'd found a friend.

---

Later that afternoon, Maya's phone rang again.

This time, Jerry's name appeared on the screen.

She smiled before answering.

"Hello?"

"Hey, New Yorker."

"Don't call me that."

Jerry laughed.

"How's your first day?"

"Busy."

"That's good."

"Is it?"

"Yes."

"Why?"

"Because it means they haven't fired you."

Maya laughed.

"Very funny."

"You settling in?"

"Yeah."

"Apartment okay?"

"Perfect."

"Eating?"

Maya went quiet.

Jerry immediately laughed.

"You're not."

"I am!"

"Liar."

"Why does everyone keep asking me that?"

"Because you forget."

Maya smiled.

"I'm fine, Jerry."

There was a brief pause.

Then his voice changed slightly.

"Seriously, Maya. How are you?"

She looked around her desk.

The unfamiliar office.

The people she'd only just begun to know.

The enormous city waiting outside.

Her new life.

She leaned back in her chair.

"I'm okay."

"Okay?"

Maya smiled.

"I'm figuring it out."

Jerry was quiet for a second.

"That's all you need to do."

Something about his words comforted her.

"Thanks."

"Anytime."

They ended the call.

Maya placed her phone on the desk.

For the first time that day, she felt completely at ease.

She had her parents.

She had Jerry.

And now, maybe, Sophie too.

Perhaps this new life wasn't going to be as frightening as she'd imagined.

---

At exactly five-thirty, Maya gathered her things.

She slipped her bag over her shoulder and glanced toward Alexander's office.

The door was still closed.

She considered knocking.

Saying goodbye.

Then immediately decided against it.

He hadn't exactly given her the impression that he appreciated unnecessary conversation.

Maya was halfway to the elevator when she heard her name.

"Maya."

She turned.

Alexander stood outside his office.

"Yes?"

"You're leaving?"

Maya glanced at the clock.

Then back at him.

"It's five-thirty."

"I can see that."

She frowned slightly.

"Then yes."

Alexander's expression remained unreadable.

"There's a meeting tomorrow at eight."

Maya nodded.

"I'll be here."

"Good."

And with that, he turned around and walked back into his office.

Maya stood there.

That was it?

No thank you.

No good evening.

Nothing.

She stared at his closed office door.

"Cold," she muttered.

Then she stepped into the elevator.

As the doors closed, Maya caught sight of her reflection.

She smiled.

It had been a long day.

But she'd survived.

Tomorrow might be harder.

But Maya wasn't afraid of difficult things.

She had left home.

Driven six hours toward a city she'd barely known.

Started a new job.

And stood up to a CEO on her first day.

She could handle whatever came next.

At least, that was what she told herself.

Her phone buzzed.

Maya looked down.

Her smile disappeared.

Unknown: You're getting too close to people you know nothing about.

Her stomach tightened.

Before she could process the message, another appeared.

Unknown: Especially him.

Maya stopped breathing for a second.

Especially him.

Alexander?

Her eyes moved toward the elevator doors.

Then back to her phone.

Whoever was sending these messages knew something.

Something she didn't.

And suddenly, the excitement of her new life felt different.

Less innocent.

More dangerous.

Maya slipped the phone into her bag.

When the elevator doors opened, she stepped out and headed toward the street.

She didn't know who was watching her.

She didn't know who she could trust.

But she knew one thing.

She hadn't come all this way just to let fear send her running back home.

Not now.

Not when she'd only just begun.

Not even for a stranger hiding behind an unknown number.