Chapter 5 - Pretending

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Her long lashes fluttered for a few moments before entirely opening her eyes. She feels warm under the blanket and her room smelled of soup and bread. She turned to look at the window and saw some rays of the sun.

It was morning already. Sitting up on her bed, Maia looked around to search for the smell of food. She forgot to eat dinner last night and her stomach was starting to growl loudly. She started to wonder who placed food on her bedside table. Daemon. The first word thar popped into her mind made her wince. What was it that she was about to discuss with him last night? She completely forgot to wait for him and let sleep take over.

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Click clack click clack... "Good morning Miss Maia, "

All the guards who meet her on her way to the elevator greeted her accordingly. It was as if they know something that some people don't. She never smiled at any of them but just nodded her head.

"Maia, look for the files that my husband was preparing. It was a partnership with one of our small engineering firms. Give me a rough guess on how feasible it is." The chubby woman walking in front of Maia spoke. Mrs. Stone added, "And don't forget to eat breakfast, mhmp." Maia smiled and answered yes to her boss.

Mrs. Stone went on the elevator first with Maia behind her. The two women looked both powerful in their gray suits and black pumps.

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"Do you think he doubts you? That Daemon guy. " questioned Maia to Mrs. Stone.

"He's new. Everyone who is new doubts me just because I look like this. And don't tell me it's my fault. I did this just for you." She eyed Maia as she took her seat.

"I couldn't even imagine how I looked years before. But you can start trying to change if you want to. I can't let you be like this for the rest of your life."

"This is not even enough to repay you." The genuine smile on both of their faces are the warmest anyone can see. It was as if they are not boss and secretary at the moment.

Blag! Before another second passed, the door opened harshly and three armed men came inside in complete black suits like operatives on a mission. They aimed their guns at Mrs. Stone and Maia while the two were looking for the guards outside. There were bodies on the floor outside with blood scattered. They couldn't see whether someone was still breathing and it gave them a chilling feeling.

Maia blocked her body in front of Mrs. Stone.

"This is not the time to pretend Maia! Get out! " She glared quietly at her secretary's back.

Maia just smiled and pushed her gently towards the CEOs table.

"They will want you alive."

She pushed the button under the table swiftly and Mrs. Stone suddenly disappeared from the hole that opened in an instant below her.

Maia ran towards the exit of the wide office but was caught by one of the men. She stepped on his foot and kicked him in the balls. While he was crouching in pain, he pointed his rifle on her retreating back while his other companions ran after her.

Bang! It was one shot. One shot that edged between the two men in front and directly at the back of the woman in a gray suit. She fell on the ground. No sound came from her then.

When the two in front realized what happened , they cursed the crouching man and stared in belief at the body.

"The CEOs gone. Find her quickly. Under that table!"

shouted one of the leading men. The three assassins stormed to the table and tried to find the secret button. A few minutes later, a series of shrieks and screams with gunshots alarmed the whole floor.