By the fourth day, Maya had already built a routine for herself. She arrived early, settled in quietly, and started working without waiting for instructions. It helped her stay focused and avoid unnecessary attention. She had learned that the less she stood out, the easier it was to get through the day.
The work had not reduced, but she was getting used to it. Her hands moved faster, her eyes more careful. She checked everything twice before moving on, making sure there were no mistakes this time. She didn't want to be called out again, and she especially didn't want to stand in front of him for something avoidable.
Even without looking up, she could tell when he was around. The atmosphere changed in a way that was hard to ignore. Conversations dropped, movements became more precise, and everything felt more controlled. Maya kept her eyes on her work and didn't react. She had already decided she would not let him affect her.
Midway through the morning, one of the senior staff members approached her with new instructions. This time, the task was more complex than what she had been handling before. Maya listened carefully and nodded, even though she knew it would take more time and effort. She didn't complain. She never did.
As she worked through the new assignment, she noticed something off again. It wasn't the same kind of mistake as before, but something about the structure didn't sit right with her. She paused, going over it again in her mind, trying to decide whether to leave it or correct it.
This time, she didn't touch it.
She left it the way it was.
A few minutes later, someone came to take the file from her desk. Maya didn't say anything as it was carried away. She returned to her other work and continued, even though the thought stayed at the back of her mind.
Not long after, she was called again.
Maya stood up quietly and walked toward the office, already knowing who was waiting for her. She stepped inside and stopped a few steps away from the desk.
Caspian looked at her, then at the file in front of him. He asked why she didn't correct the issue. Maya answered that she didn't want to step out of line. He held her gaze for a moment before asking if she knew it was wrong. She said yes.
There was a brief silence before he told her that knowing something is wrong and leaving it that way is also a mistake. Maya didn't respond immediately. She simply nodded and said she understood.
He told her to fix it next time.
She agreed.
He dismissed her, and she left.
When she returned to her desk, the feeling stayed with her longer than she expected. She stared at the file in front of her for a moment before continuing her work. It was clear to her now that no matter what she did, it would never be enough.
If she acted, it was wrong.
If she didn't act, it was still wrong.
Maya lowered her eyes and continued working.
The rest of the day passed in silence. She didn't speak to anyone, and no one approached her directly. The distance between her and the others remained, and she didn't try to change it.
By the time the day ended, she packed her things slowly this time. She wasn't rushing, but she wasn't staying either. As she stepped outside, the cool air met her again, but it didn't bring the same relief it had before.
Her thoughts were heavier now.
She had come here to work, to earn, to survive.
But now, it felt like something else.
Something harder.
And one thing was becoming clear to her with each passing day.
Caspian Vane-Auber was not someone she could ever understand.