Crystal rolled her eyes as her mom's name flashed across her phone screen—finally, she had called back.
She picked up, snuggling deeper into the comfy couch in Maria's living room, still eager to dig a little more into Maria's romantic relationship with Daniel.
That had been a shocker.
"Hi, Mom."
"Hello, Stal," her mom said through the phone, her voice tired. "Sorry, it's been a busy day over here."
"It's okay," Crystal shrugged. "Well, are you a little less busy now?"
"Yeah," she replied. "I can spare some time. How's Maria?"
"Oh, she's doing better than great," Crystal giggled, excitement lacing her tone.
"Now what's with that tone?" her mom asked, interest sharpening.
"Maria's mom mentioned she works at GOATASTE," Crystal began. "Which I confirmed she does and guess what I realized next?"
"What?"
"Oh, mummy," Crystal grumbled. "You're not acting like you want to hear it."
"Hey, don't mind me," her mom said. "It's been a busy day, remember?"
"Fine," Crystal continued. "Maria's dating her boss."
"Wow, that's actually impressive." her mom said.
Crystal scoffed, sinking further into the couch, irritated at her mother's response.
"What do you mean, impressive? Mom, it has opportunistic written all over it."
"Maria's a smart girl," her mom answered. "Maybe they're a power couple."
Crystal paused.
Why was her mom acting like a saint all of a sudden?
They used to gossip like this all the time.
"Mom,"
"Mmmm,"
"Is someone there with you?" Crystal asked.
Her mom sighed before replying. "We should be a little more grateful to Maria for helping you. I was devastated about the fire accident, and when Maria agreed to help, her kindness meant a lot to me. It's not fair to talk about her like this."
Crystal clenched her fists.
Her mom had taken the lie about the fire too far.
She rubbed her temples—people never saw the bigger picture.
"You should rest then, Mom," Crystal said.
"Take care, my Stal. Good night," her mom replied, blowing a kiss before ending the call.
The entrance door opened, making Crystal sit up.
Maria stepped in, closing the door quietly behind her.
"Welcome, Maria," Crystal said, wearing her most convincing smile. "I honestly thought the party would take longer."
Maria slipped off her heels in silence, her face lowered, loose wisps of her hair falling forward as she avoided Crystal's gaze.
"Thank you, Crystal," she said softly, already heading for the stairs.
"There's still dinner if you're interested," Crystal called after her.
"Not right now," Maria replied, still not looking back before disappearing upstairs.
Crystal exhaled. Thank God her mom had decided to repent tonight—Maria could have walked in on that call.
But what was with her mood?
Her project just launched, and she was acting like this?
Shouldn't she be happy her body was walking just fine for her?
Crystal leaned back, curious to know how long Maria had been working with GOATASTE.
But at the same time.
And more importantly, she still had to find out who the mysterious staff member Miles Genova was having an affair with.
**
Guilt gnawed at Miles, now seated back at their table in the event.
The party pulsed with life—employees playing games on stage, funky pop music humming faintly in the background.
Intoxication and laughter painted most faces around him.
A gentle breeze carried the mingled scents of perfume and barbecue across the hall.
Mrs Ashford had waved goodbye to him and the others with Kayden escorting her out.
Jennifer had left before he returned from the restroom.
Thank heavens.
Miles thought of the jealousy that had driven him reckless—along with the trail of its effect on Maria.
He had hoped she wouldn't come out quickly after him from the restroom because of his mother.
He'd even considered stalling her for longer when they met in the passage, but that would have seemed more suspicious.
So he left first before Maria could emerge.
The suspicious stare of his mother from across the table told him a different story than the one he intended.
Miles swirled the drink in his glass.
He had to make it up to Maria—it was her project after all.
He had seen the hurt in her eyes when she came to say she was leaving.
He hadn't meant to ruin her evening.
The memory resurfaced—uninvited.
The taste of the sensitive tips of her breasts and how she had pressed closer to him.
He exhaled briefly.
It wasn't her fault.
His control had been slipping long before that moment—and he couldn't even blame the alcohol.
"Hello, sir," Rhea's voice came softly beside him, her spicy scent filling the air.
"Enjoying the party, Rhea?" he asked, forcing a lighter tone.
"I think you've had enough wine, sir," she said with a playful giggle.
Miles exhaled and straightened.
Maybe it was time to leave.
"Call my chauffeur, I won't be driving tonight."
Rhea straightened. "I can also assist," she said, then leaned in playfully again. "I could hold you up in the elevator."
Miles chuckled. "Am I staggering in my seat, Rhea?"
She straightened again and scoffed. "At least I tried."
Miles gave a light laugh, still watching the stage as Rhea stepped aside to call the chauffeur.
Maria's soft pleas echoed in his mind.
He had interpreted them differently from what she actually meant at that moment.
Another night to endure the torment of unresolved pleasure.
**
Maria curled deeper into the plush sheets of her bed.
The smooth satin of her nightdress wrapped around her body, offering comfort her mind refused to accept.
Even the long bath hadn't helped.
She briefly considered going downstairs for a glass of wine, but her body felt too heavy to move.
Mrs. Genova's stare and her words,
"Congratulations, once again Maria" —when they had crossed paths in the restroom passage unsettled her.
Maria had simply replied with a low, "Thank you"— and walked past, returning to the hall.
Jenny had tried to convince her to stay, but Miles' threat left no room for hesitation.
And Mrs. Genova had definitely seen him exiting the single pathway too.
Maria shut her eyes.
Her worst fear was unfolding on a larger scale now.
Her relationship with Daniel was becoming public.
Daniel wouldn't have acknowledged her at all if not for the project that Miles had endorsed.
And Miles…
He was getting worse.
His control gradually revealed itself—cracking through the careful composure he maintained.
Would he begin to treat her like Daniel was?
The memory returned—his warm breath against her chest, the way her body had reacted, the way she had clung to him.
Her body kept betraying her around him.
And it didn't feel transactional, that was the problem.
He made everything feel real and with tempting intensity that only made her trust issues deepen.
Miles was like any other man who wanted her physically, but he had lured her better than most.
And his leverage over her—her exposure, the risk to her work, her reputation, and recognition.
She had no choice but to yield.
But if he kept touching her like that…
Her fists clenched in the sheets.
Maria wanted to cry—to release the weight pressing on her chest.
Instead, her thoughts betrayed her again.
The look in his eyes.
The way he held her against the wall.
She turned onto her side.
At least there was no work tomorrow.
She would go to Minchstone, make inquiries, and connections to get Grace into the scholarship program.
Something she could control.
Maria shut her eyes tightly, forcing herself to push against the echoes of his whispers in her head.
But they lingered anyway.