"Sis, look! I got this bag for you." Sara's voice was brimming with excitement as she held up a chic handbag for Maya to see over Facetime.
Maya couldn't help but smile. "It's beautiful! Thank you, Sara. But you really didn't have to." She sat at the kitchen table, finishing her dinner. Steven was in his room, likely working on another project.
Sara waved her off. "Don't worry about it. I wanted to buy you something special with my first part-time job paycheck."
"Aww, you could have saved it for yourself," Maya said, pouting a little, more out of affection than disapproval.
"Aha, stop being such a mom," Sara teased, rolling her eyes in that endearing little sister way. "By the way, I might come over in a couple of days."
"Really? That would be great! I'll make your favorite dishes," Maya promised, her mind already spinning with recipe ideas.
"Sure. I'm actually coming by because—" Sara stopped mid-sentence, her eyes widening as she noticed something behind Maya. Steven walked past, holding a bottle of water. Maya turned to look.
"Steven!" Sara's voice was a mix of excitement and surprise, causing both Maya and Steven to jump. Steven walked over to the laptop, his face level with Maya's as he leaned in.
"Sara, how are you?" he asked warmly.
"I'm sooooo good," Sara replied, practically singing.
"You look unusually happy. What's up?" Steven's curiosity was piqued. Maya, ever the detective, clapped her hands in excitement, startling Steven.
"Sara? Are you hiding something?" Maya asked, trying to keep a straight face. Sara's cheeks turned a soft shade of pink.
"Why are you being like this?" Steven muttered, glancing at Maya with a puzzled expression.
"Hush, Steven," Maya said, waving him off. "Sara, did you start dating him?" Her grin was mischievous, her eyes sparkling.
"Enough, sis. Don't jump to conclusions," Sara said, though her tone was playful. "Steven, just marry her already so she stops poking her nose into my business. You can be her boss and husband, so she'll have no excuses."
An awkward silence filled the room. Maya's heart skipped a beat, her eyes flicking to Steven.
"Sara, that's enough!" Maya tried to laugh it off, but her voice wavered.
Steven took a step closer, his expression serious. "Do you really want me to, Sara?" he asked, his gaze fixed on Maya. The intensity in his eyes made her gulp. They were so close that Sara's presence seemed to vanish.
"Guys, I'm still here," Sara's voice broke through, but neither Maya nor Steven acknowledged her. Sara chuckled. "Goodnight, lovebirds," she said, ending the call.
"Steven, what are you..." Maya started, her voice barely a whisper. "You don't have to go along with her jokes."
"Do I look like I'm joking?" Steven's voice was low, his eyes locking onto hers. He pulled his chair closer, making Maya's pulse race.
She flinched at the sudden proximity, her cheeks heating up. Steven leaned in even closer, their faces inches apart. "Tell me, Maya. Do I look like I am joking?"
Maya could feel his breath, warm and steady. His gaze flickered from her lips to her eyes, a soft smile tugging at his mouth. "Steven, don't tell me..." she began, her voice trembling.
"Yes, I just came for water," he said abruptly, pushing his chair back. Maya exhaled, a mix of relief and disappointment washing over her as he poured himself a glass of water. Her emotions had been a whirlwind in those brief moments. Her heart pounded wildly as Steven smirked. "Oh, your cheeks! They're red. I didn't even do anything," he teased before leaving the room.
What the heck! What's wrong with him? Jeez! Maya checked her reflection on her phone's camera, noting her flushed cheeks. Why am I blushing? Urgh! Sara! Sara! Where—
Her phone buzzed with a message from Sara: Goodnight, sis. Have fun with your roomie.
Urgh, this brat! Maya thought, a mix of annoyance and embarrassment swirling within her.
. . .
Sara and Shonn were strolling through the field on campus, the place where students usually played. The sun was setting, casting a warm glow over everything. They were chatting about the usual things.
"You know you can see her every day, right? It's not that far," Shonn said, nudging her a little.
"I know, but I don't want to bother her. She has a housemate," Sara replied, then added, "But I'm going tomorrow. It's been a while. Wanna come with?"
Shonn raised an eyebrow. "Didn't you just say she has a housemate? Isn't it kinda weird to bring your friend to your sister's apartment?"
Sara laughed softly. "Friend, huh? Is that what you think we are?"
Shonn gave her a playful look. "Aren't we?"
Sara rolled her eyes, but a smile tugged at her lips. "I thought you'd say something else."
"What? What would I say?" Shonn leaned closer, clearly teasing her.
Sara stopped and faced him, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "Shonn Turner, are you seriously this clueless? Am I not your girlfriend?" She gave him a gentle pinch.
Shonn's eyes widened, and then a huge grin spread across his face. "Wait, Sara!" he called, as she started walking away faster. He chased after her, heart pounding. "I'm totally in love with you," he blurted out, catching up to her.
Sara laughed, her cheeks turning pink. Shonn grabbed her hand, his eyes locking onto hers. He leaned in and kissed her cheek softly. "I've been waiting for this moment, Sara," he said, his voice soft.
Sara's smile widened. "Shonn, you better not flash that smile at any other girl. It's lethal."
"Lethal, huh? Am I that charming?" He winked, clearly enjoying the moment.
Sara shook her head, laughing. "You're something else, Shonn. And by the way, you're coming with me tomorrow. No excuses."
Shonn laughed, letting her pull him along. "Yes, ma'am," he said, still grinning like a lovesick fool.
. . .
As Maya made her way downstairs, each step a gentle reminder of the early morning stillness, she was greeted by the unexpected sight of Steven in his pajamas, lazily munching on cereal. She glanced at her watch, puzzled. Nope, she was right on time. What was he doing?
"Morning," Steven muttered, not bothering to look up as he sipped his milk.
"Morning. Are you going in late today?" Maya asked, trying to keep her tone casual despite the concern for him.
"I'm not going today," he said, eyes glued to his bowl.
Maya's worry deepened. "Are you feeling okay? Let me check," she said, reaching out to touch his forehead. Steven dodged her hand, and she stepped back, feeling awkward.
"I just took a day off," he retorted, a hint of uneasiness in his voice. "You'll be late if you don't leave now."
Maya forced a smile, though it felt like it might crack any second. "Oh, right. Well, have a good day then," she murmured before turning on her heel and heading for the door.
Maya didn't say anything and left with an awkward smile. Steven ran his fingers through his hair and gave a long sigh as she left his sight completely.
. . .
A sharp clap snapped everyone out of their focus. Maya turned and saw Levi standing there, grinning like he'd just won the lottery. They exchanged a quick, knowing look.
"Hey, everyone! Quick update," Levi announced, his voice full of enthusiasm. "Mr. Stone is taking a day off today. So, since I'm not drowning in my own work, I'll be helping out. Just a heads up, we've got a big client meeting at 4 pm. He's from Australia, and he's one of our most trusted clients. We've been doing business with him for over five years. It would've been ideal if Stone were here, but he's not, so I'll do my best to fill in."
"Is Mr. Stone sick?" Nira asked, her forehead creased with concern. "He never misses work."
Levi shook his head, still smiling. "Nope, don't worry. Mr. Stone is fine. He's just been handling some really tough tasks lately, and it's taken a toll on him. I suggested he take a day off to recharge."
"He never told us," Kobe chimed in, frustration creeping into his voice. "We could've helped."
Levi's smile turned understanding. "I get it. You guys feel left out. Think of today's deal as your chance to step up. And remember, Stone isn't just a colleague; he's also my friend. I know how dedicated he is to his work and this department. So, follow his lead—handle things quietly and efficiently. That's part of your job too, learning from your seniors and executing tasks as they direct."
"You're a good friend, Mr. Thompson," Nira said, her tone softening.
"Stone is a good friend too. As I mentioned during the orientation, I learn a lot from my colleagues. Stone, being senior in this sector, is someone I look up to immensely." Levi's gaze shifted to Maya. "Ms. Larson, do you have any questions?"
Maya felt the sudden spotlight on her, eyes widening in surprise. "No, not really."
Levi nodded. "Alright, I just noticed the other newcomers spoke up, and you didn't. That's all. Everyone, try to wrap up your personal work within the next hour. I'll send over some files related to the upcoming deal. Review them carefully." With that, Levi left the office.
A collective sigh of relief followed his departure. Kobe stood up from his desk, stretching his arms. "It's going to be a long day, huh?"
"Yes, it seems so," Nira replied, leaning back in her chair. "How long are we going to be treated as trainees?" She chuckled, though it was clear she was only half-joking.
"Maybe just until today," Maya said, trying to lift their spirits. "Mr. Thompson said it's a big project. Let's do our best."
"You're in charge of speaking, then," Nira declared suddenly.
"What?" Maya's eyebrows shot up in surprise.
"Yes, she's right," Kobe agreed, nodding his head. "You'll do great."
"Then what are you going to do?" Maya asked, her voice tinged with skepticism.
"Sitting and helping if you get stuck," Nira said with a smile.
"Ah, God. I can't believe I'm stuck with you two," Maya groaned, shaking her head. "Alright, you better help me if I get stuck," she added, pointing a finger at them.
"Deal," Nira and Kobe chorused, giving her a thumbs-up.
As the hour slipped by, the tension in the room gradually eased. They worked quietly but efficiently, the anticipation of the upcoming meeting hanging over them like a cloud. Maya reviewed the files Levi had sent, her eyes scanning the details with meticulous care. She couldn't shake the feeling of responsibility that weighed on her shoulders. This was her chance to prove herself, not just to Levi and Mr. Stone, but to herself as well.
"Alright, team," Maya said, breaking the silence. "Let's nail this."
With determined nods, they returned to their tasks, ready to tackle the challenge head-on.
The hour flew by and before Maya knew it, the clock read 3:45 pm. She glanced up at Nira and Kobe. "Okay, it's showtime. Let's do this."
They made their way to the conference room, Maya's heart pounding in her chest. This was it. She took a deep breath, straightened her back, and stepped into the room, ready to face the challenge with her teammates by her side.