Two months later,
It was a typical day at VISHO. The office buzzed with the sound of keyboards clicking, phones ringing, and the occasional murmur of conversations. The atmosphere was one of focused energy, everyone engrossed in their tasks. Maya sat at her desk, diligently working on her latest project, her concentration unwavering. She enjoyed the rhythm of the office, the sense of accomplishment that came with completing her tasks.
As the clock struck eight, Maya stretched and glanced at the clock, satisfied with her progress for the day. She gathered her things, intending to stop by Steven's office before heading home. She wanted to share some exciting news about a project she had just finished. She walked towards his office, her heart light and her mind already picturing the smile she hoped to see on his face.
As she approached the door, she heard voices from inside. She paused, recognizing Steven's and Levi's tones, followed by Kevin, Liam, and Ethan. Curiosity got the better of her, and she stood quietly, listening.
"Levi, I want you to do it! Don't let Maya come into this office from tomorrow for the time being," Steven's voice was firm, almost desperate.
"That's stupid, Steven. Why do you want to do this?" Liam's voice was laced with anger and confusion.
"Because I cannot stand her at the office right now. It would make everything so difficult for me," Steven replied, his tone filled with frustration.
Maya's heart sank. She felt like the ground beneath her feet was slipping away. Tears welled up in her eyes as she pushed the door open, unable to remain hidden any longer. The room fell silent as everyone turned to look at her, shock written on their faces.
"Maya," Steven whispered, his eyes wide with panic.
"Is that what you have been wanting to do to me, Steven?" Maya's voice trembled, her eyes bloodshot from the tears she was fighting back. "You never loved me, did you? You've betrayed me."
"Maya, look, I can explain. It's not what you think," Steven pleaded, taking a step toward her.
"I don't think I have to listen to you ever again," she spat, turning on her heel. "I am leaving this company right now. Goodbye, Steven."
"Ms. Larson, wait!" Levi called out, his voice filled with concern. "Larson, please, wait!" Ethan ran after her, but Maya was already storming out of the office, her heart shattered. Steven collapsed onto the couch, burying his face in his hands, panic and regret washing over him.
Maya didn't stop until she reached her apartment. She hurriedly packed her belongings, tears streaming down her face. She couldn't stay here, not after what she had just heard. She needed to get away, to find some semblance of peace. Once her bags were packed, she called a cab and headed to her parents' house, where her sister Sara was living alone now.
Sara was startled when Maya burst through the door, her face red and puffy from crying. "Maya? What happened?"
"I can't talk about it right now," Maya choked out, dragging her suitcase inside. "I just need to be here for a while."
Sara didn't press her for details, sensing the depth of her sister's pain. She helped Maya settle into her old room, offering silent support.
. . .
Back at VISHO, Steven was beside himself with worry. He called Maya multiple times, but she didn't pick up. Desperate, he decided to go to her house, hoping to explain himself in person. When he arrived, Sara answered the door, her expression a mix of confusion and concern.
"Steven, what are you doing here?" Sara asked, blocking his way.
"I need to see Maya. I need to explain everything to her," Steven said, his voice strained.
"She's not in a state to talk to you right now. What the hell happened? She came home in tears, and you won't even tell me why," Sara demanded, crossing her arms.
"It's complicated, Sara. Please, just let me see her," Steven pleaded, looking past her into the house.
"Steven, give her some time. I am confused as well, and you're not even telling me anything. How do you expect me to convince Maya to see you when I don't even know what happened?" Sara's tone softened, but she remained firm.
Steven sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I messed up, Sara. But I need to make it right. Please, just tell her I'm sorry and that I need to talk to her."
Sara nodded reluctantly. "I'll tell her. But you need to leave now, Steven. She needs space."
. . .
Days passed, and Maya tried to bury herself in the familiar comfort of her parents' house. She and Sara spent their days catching up, cooking together, and watching old movies. But no matter how hard she tried, Maya couldn't shake the feeling of betrayal and hurt that Steven's words had caused.
One evening, Sara found Maya sitting on the porch, staring into the distance. "Maya, you need to talk about it. Keeping it all inside isn't going to help."
Maya sighed, tears welling up in her eyes again. "He doesn't want me at the office, Sara. He said he can't stand me being there. After everything, after giving him my heart... how could he do this?"
Sara hugged her sister tightly. "I don't understand it either, but maybe there's more to it. You should hear him out."
Maya shook her head. "I can't, Sara. Not now. Maybe not ever."
. . .
Meanwhile, Steven was struggling to focus at work. He missed Maya terribly and regretted every word he had said in that meeting. He spent his days trying to find a way to fix things, but nothing seemed right. He called her repeatedly, left messages, and even wrote letters, but there was no response.
Levi, Kevin, Liam, and Ethan noticed the change in Steven. He was distracted, irritable, and clearly heartbroken. They tried to talk to him, but he brushed them off, insisting he needed to figure it out on his own.
One afternoon, Levi cornered Steven in his office. "You need to stop wallowing and start fixing things, Steven. You're not helping anyone by sitting here and feeling sorry for yourself."
Steven looked up, his eyes tired and filled with regret. "I don't know how to fix it, Levi. I messed up so badly."
"Then start by being honest with her. Tell her why you said what you said. She deserves to know the truth," Levi urged.
Steven nodded slowly. "You're right. I just... I don't know if she'll ever forgive me."
"That's not for you to decide. You owe her an explanation, Steven. Go to her and tell her everything," Levi said firmly.
. . .
Back at her parents' house, Maya was slowly beginning to regain her strength. She threw herself into helping Sara with house chores and spent hours talking with her sister about everything but Steven. The wounds were still fresh, but she was determined to move forward.
One evening, as Maya was sitting in her room, her phone buzzed with a message. It was from Steven. She hesitated, her heart racing, but eventually, she opened it.
"Maya, I know you're hurt, and you have every right to be. But please, let me explain. It's not what you think. I need to see you. Please."
Maya stared at the message, tears filling her eyes once more. She wanted to believe him, to hear his side of the story, but the pain was still too raw. Memories of their last argument flooded her mind, each word a dagger to her heart. She turned off her phone and curled up on her bed, letting the tears flow.
Sara knocked softly on her door and entered. "Maya, you okay?"
Maya shook her head, unable to speak.
"Was it Steven?" Sara asked gently.
Maya nodded, showing her the message.
Sara read it and sighed. "Maybe you should hear him out, Maya. Even if it's just to get closure."
"I can't, Sara. Not right now," Maya whispered, her voice breaking.
Sara sat beside her sister, holding her as she cried. "Take your time. But remember, you deserve to know the truth."
Steven sat in his apartment, staring at his phone, hoping for a response that never came. He felt lost, unsure of how to move forward without Maya. His heart ached with the weight of his mistakes, and he knew he had a long road ahead if he ever hoped to make things right.
Just as Maya began to drift into a restless sleep, her phone buzzed again. She ignored it at first, but the persistent buzzing made her reach for it. Another message from Steven: "Maya, please. Meet me at the Coup's Café tomorrow at 5 PM. If you don't want to talk after that, I'll leave you alone. Just give me this chance."
Maya's hands trembled as she read the message. She didn't want to see him, didn't want to face the pain head-on. But a part of her was curious. What could he possibly say to make things better? She felt torn between her lingering love for him and the betrayal that still stung like a fresh wound.
Sara noticed her sister's distress and gently took the phone from her hands. "You don't have to decide now. Sleep on it, and maybe things will be clearer in the morning."
Steven, on the other hand, couldn't sleep. He paced his apartment, rehearsing what he would say to Maya. His mind was a whirlwind of thoughts and emotions, regret and hope intertwined. He knew he had to find a way to make her understand, to show her that his intentions were pure, even if his actions had been misguided.
As the night wore on, both Maya and Steven found themselves trapped in their own turmoil. Maya's dreams were haunted by images of Steven, their happier times now tainted with doubt and uncertainty. Steven stared at the ceiling, the silence of his apartment amplifying his guilt.
Morning came too soon, and Maya woke up feeling no more resolved than she had the night before. She glanced at her phone, the message from Steven a glaring reminder of the decision she had to make. She spent the day in a daze, unable to focus on anything but the impending meeting. She avoided Sara's concerned glances, trying to sort through her emotions on her own.
As 5 PM approached, Maya's anxiety peaked. She stood by her window, watching the minutes tick by. The thought of seeing Steven again made her heart race, a mix of anticipation and dread. She grabbed her phone, her thumb hovering over the screen. She typed out a message but hesitated before sending it.
Meanwhile, Steven was already at the café, his eyes darting to the door every few seconds. He had rehearsed his speech a hundred times, but now, waiting for her, he felt the words slipping away. His mind raced with worst-case scenarios, each one more painful than the last.
Back in her room, Maya deleted the unsent message and turned off her phone once more. She couldn't do it. Not today. The wounds were still too fresh, the scars too deep. She needed more time to heal, more time to find her own strength before she could face him.
Sara found her sitting on the bed, tears silently streaming down her face. She wrapped her arms around her sister, offering silent support. "It's okay, Maya. You don't have to rush this."