The office was eerily quiet, the soft glow of Maya's desk lamp and the light spilling out from Mr. Stone's office the only sources of light. Maya had finished her work at 9:15 PM, and now, feeling both relieved and exhausted, she knocked on Steven's door.
"May I come in, Mr. Stone?" she asked, her voice steady despite the long day.
"Yes," Mr. Stone replied without looking up, his eyes glued to the computer screen, the blue light casting a cold shadow on his face. He glanced at her briefly, his bangs falling over his eyes.
"Are you done?" he asked, his tone neutral.
"Yes. Here's the report."
"Leave it on the shelf. I'll check it tomorrow."
"Thanks. I'll head out then." Maya smiled slightly, turning to leave.
"Did..." Steven began, his voice uncharacteristically hesitant.
"Do you want to say something?" She turned back, curious.
"Did...did you have dinner?" he asked, his voice softer, almost vulnerable.
"I didn't have a chance to. But I had lunch."
"Umm, may I ask, what did you have?"
"Oh, Nira gave me a hamburger."
Steven finally turned his gaze from the screen, his eyes searching her face. "Nothing else? You eat so little."
"Oh yes. Someone sent me a lunchbox too." She answered casually. A small smile appeared at the corner of his lips. "Weird. Someone sent it, and you ate it? It could be poisoned," he teased, awkwardly but endearingly.
"Oh, why didn't I think of that! You're right. I'll be more careful next time."
"No, it's okay. I was just kidding. By the way, it's late. Can I drop you off today?"
Maya felt guilt for refusing his offer the other day. She smiled, her heart warming at his unexpected kindness. "Yes, that would be nice."
"You're just saying this to make up for the other day, aren't you?" He chuckled, the sound rich and warm. Maya stayed quiet, realizing Steven had read her mind.
"Alright, let's go."
Little did they know, Levi was waiting for her outside the office, hoping to drive her home. He saw them walking out together, standing next to his car, smiling uncertainly before leaving, disappointment hitting him hard. Steven noticed Levi's car driving away. He sighed, realizing Levi had been waiting for Maya. A hint of realization of Levi's feelings towards Maya flickered in his eyes.
"Oh, Steven, you listen to this song too?" Maya asked, dropping off the formalities as they are out of office, noticing "Hitorijanai" (not alone) by Seventeen playing on the radio, trying to lighten the mood.
"Steven? Oh, sorry. We're not in the office... I just happen to hear it a lot lately. Maybe it's a new hit," he replied, a small smile playing on his lips.
"They're Seventeen from South Korea. This is their newest Japanese hit," Maya said, her enthusiasm evident.
"A K-pop group, huh? They're everywhere these days. You sure know your stuff," Steven chuckled, easing some of the tension between them.
"My little sister is a fan. That's how I know. It's a really good song."
"I don't know if it's just a coincidence, but it plays every time I feel alone or sad. It's comforting tonight."
"Why?" Maya asked, looking at him, her curiosity piqued.
"Because you're with me," Steven said, his eyes meeting hers. Their gazes locked for a few seconds, and Maya blushed, her heart pounding. She coughed to cover her embarrassment.
"Oh, are you okay?" he asked, concerned.
"O...oh...yes, I'm fine."
"There's a water bottle on the back seat. Can you get that?" Mr. Stone suggested, genuinely worried.
"Don't worry. I'm okay," she said, her voice steadier now.
Maya forgot about discussing her apartment move with him. She was surprised to see Steven being different—less intimidating, more comforting. The man she saw now was not the strict, distant boss she knew but someone kind and considerate. "Which Steven is the real one?" Maya asked, her voice tinged with curiosity and a bit of daring.
"What do you mean?" he responded, his brow furrowing slightly.
"You're not scary now."
"You think I'm scary?" He chuckled, the sound low and warm.
"You scold me every day. How can I not think that?"
"Well, that's what a boss does to his employees. I don't," he said, a playful glint in his eyes.
"You're bad at sarcasm. So I guess my boss doesn't like me."
"He does. He does, Maya," he said, his voice sincere.
Maya looked at Steven again, and her heart skipped a beat seeing him so serious. Without fully thinking, she asked, "Then what about you?"
"I like you, Maya. Actually, I am fond of you," he said softly, his eyes locking onto hers, full of unspoken emotions.
She slapped her face, thinking, What the heck is wrong with me? What am I even thinking!
"Are you really okay?" he asked, worried.
"Y...ye...yes, I am," she stuttered, feeling a mix of embarrassment and confusion.
"Maya?"
"W...what?"
"Jeez, why are you stuttering? Am I still scaring you?"
"No, no. What is it?" she asked, trying to regain her composure.
"Why didn't you contact me in two years? I know you never needed my number, but still, you could have," he said, his voice softer, almost vulnerable.
"I had your number," Maya retorted, her voice trembling slightly.
"Then, why?"
"The same reason you didn't contact me. I didn't know how to face you," she said, playing with her fingers in her lap, her eyes downcast.
"I'm sorry," he said softly. Maya didn't respond, memories of the past flooding her mind—the night she ran away from the apartment she shared with her first love.
"Don't cry. I don't like seeing you in pain," he said gently, his heart aching at the sight of her tears.
"I don't want to," she wept, her voice barely a whisper.
"Do you still love him?" Steven asked, even though it hurt him more than anything to ask.
"Can we not talk about this now? I feel like just crying," she said, her voice breaking.
"Wanna go to a park? If you want to relax, I'll stay with you," he suggested, his voice full of concern.
She didn't reply but continued to weep, the weight of her emotions overwhelming her. "Alright, I don't need your answer. We're going," he said firmly, his resolve to comfort her clear.
"Let's go then," she agreed, her voice weak but determined.
. . .
Shonn shuffled down the stairs, still rubbing the sleep from his eyes, only to find Levi sprawled out on the couch in his suit. It was odd, seeing Levi like that. Why hadn't he changed? Shonn was worried. Normally, Shonn didn't go out of his way to chat with Levi, but lately, things had been different. He had started answering Levi, even if it was mostly just "yes" or "no," and it seemed to make Levi happy.
Shonn cleared his throat, trying to get Levi's attention. No response. Usually, Levi would glance his way, but this time, nothing. Shonn's concern grew.
Is he really okay? Should I check on him? Not that I care, Shonn told himself, pacing back and forth. What a hassle!
He walked right up to Levi and coughed again, louder this time. Levi's eyes flickered open before closing again.
"Are you sick?" Shonn asked, his voice softer than he intended, filled with genuine concern.
"No," Levi mumbled, his voice flat and unconvincing.
"Did you get rejected?" Shonn asked, sarcasm lacing his words. To his surprise, Levi jolted upright, a spark of life returning to his eyes.
"So you did," Shonn said, his tone a mix of teasing and concern.
"What do you mean!?" Levi snapped, trying to hide the hurt in his voice.
"You look like you got rejected." Shonn sat down next to him, his presence unexpectedly comforting.
"What rejection? I don't even know what that is," Levi scoffed, but the sadness in his eyes said otherwise.
"Then what happened?" Shonn asked, his voice gentler now.
"I'm not sure if it was something I didn't want to happen. By the way, you're talking like a grown-up. Are you trying to console me?" Levi asked, a small smile playing on his lips.
"No, I'm not. Why don't you just try harder then?"
"You have someone you like, don't you, Shonn?" Levi's curiosity piqued despite his mood.
"None of your business. Go to your room," Shonn said, standing up and heading for the stairs. He paused and looked back, "And if she… doesn't… like you… that means… she doesn't… deserve you. So… don't… worry… Goodnight." Shonn's words came out haltingly, as he shyly tried to cheer his brother up.
Levi just smiled, feeling a warmth in his chest at Shonn's awkward but heartfelt attempt.
What am I doing exactly? Levi wondered, feeling a strange confusion.
. . .
Time skipped...
Steven became less strict at the office. While he still scolded employees sometimes, he wasn't as loud. During the busiest time of the year, Steven didn't leave his room much, and the employees only went to him when he called them. Maya barely talked to Steven after that day at the park. She couldn't bring up the apartment topic, thinking he would get annoyed even though she didn't need his permission to move in. But in reality, you can't just move in after years of not living there, having no connection with that place.