Jenny's blue Venza pulled up in front of Maria's house.
Maria remained still in the passenger seat, her head pressed against the window, eyes dulled from the weight of the day.
"Come on," Jenny said, slipping her fingers into Maria's playfully. "Daniel's just being an ass because the company's actually taking your project seriously."
"I was such an idiot," Maria exhaled, sitting upright and reaching for her bag.
"No you're not," Jenny said, tightening her grip. "You're doing just fine. You can't turn back now."
Maria's lips trembled, the emotions heavy in her mouth as she blurted. "I hate myself, I hate my body. I hate how men only have to look at me to decide if I'm worthy—and when I try to show them there's something else, they shut me down."
Silence stretched between them.
Jenny released her hand
"Then use it," she whispered.
Maria's head snapped toward her. "What?!".
Jenny rolled her eyes, unfazed. "Don't pretend you haven't noticed the way the CEO looks at you. Or how things suddenly became easier for you once he showed up."
Maria straightened, composing herself as she faced ahead. Jenny was being ridiculous. How could she even give that sort of advice?
"I'm not doing that," she said firmly. "They're brothers. I can't risk my self-image like that."
"Mmmm," Jenny gave her a slow side glance. "If you're getting with him for another reason though…because of how fine he is? I won't judge."
Heat flushed Maria's face, anger and embarrassment colliding. "I'm not interested in sleeping with him."
Then she sighed out the steam, "I should head upstairs. It's been a long day, and I think I have a headache."
"Ok, babes. You take care." Jenny said as Maria opened the door.
As she closed it gently, Jenny added, stretching in her seat. "Worry only about your project too, ok. Goodnight."
The car reversed and drove off.
Maria stood there for a second before forcing her legs toward the house.
Inside, she shut the door and leaned against it.
And then it came.
A memory—subtle.
The ferocity of Miles' kiss in the office.
The way he admired her mind before he touched her.
Maria snapped out of it.
Reality called. Scandal. Mrs. Genova's hate for her.
Daniel's influence.
If Jenny was noticing, others were too.
Pete's words rang in her head—a corporate slut.
She sank to the floor. The ginger-vanilla diffuser, mixed with the air conditioner's coolness, subtly soothed her.
The long-lasting image of a woman she dreaded becoming forever—a woman wanted only for her looks.
But he wouldn't let her be.
Miles Genova.
Two sides of the coin.
She couldn't say no…but she could try.
Was he baiting her by entertaining the project?
She was torn. She had even tried to get Daniel to supervise it instead, but he'd insisted.
The first step had been operating as far away from him as possible—but he had crushed it.
It marvelled her how he could channel all his desire and admiration into the intensely detailed touch of his hands.
Could that be faked too?
Maria sighed.
**
The muted sound of the elevator closing echoed behind Miles as he walked to the door of the luxurious apartment he'd rented for his time in Mapla.
Rhea followed behind him, holding files of product clearance from health agencies. It had been a busy day, and since fitness was a sensitive part of health regulations, they were taking extra precautions in testing.
Miles accessed the door with his card and stepped into his open space.
A warm grey center rug mirrored the slightly lighter walls.
Dark grey sofas, balanced with white throw pillows.
A stainless barspace made of metal and dark wood held two shelves of expensive wine and quality vodka.
Miles headed there first to calm his nerves as Rhea closed the door and dropped files onto a side stool.
"They're demanding too much money and time," Miles muttered, grabbing a short glass and a bottle of wine from the mini fridge disguised as a cupboard. "Because they know the product will sell once it launches."
He poured.
Drank.
Letting his body finally register the comfort of home.
As he lowered the glass, Rhea stood in front of him. She
looked uncertain—nervous to say something.
"You alright, Rhea?" Miles asked, concerned as he set the glass down.
She fiddled with her pen, still not meeting his eyes. "I'll be heading…home."
"Okay?"
"Sir, I don't…" she blurted, then hesitated.
"Go on."
"I don't trust that Maria can handle this," she said finally. "She doesn't look reliable. I think her aim is really clear, especially with how she walked out of the office earlier."
The growing confidence in her voice halted Miles' process of relaxation.
"I ended the meeting before she walked out. Was there another way she could've left?"
Rhea folded her hands, frustration slipping through. "She knows she has that sort of body. Why dress like that in the first place?"
"You were going to leave, yes, Rhea?" Miles asked, making her meet his eyes—ensuring she saw the strictness there.
Rhea lowered her hands slowly. "I'm sorry sir. I just don't want us putting resources and energy into a project that could backfire—especially after how you defended it to the board."
"That's for me to worry about, not you,"
He removed his jacket and draped it over one of the high bar chairs.
Rhea stepped closer as he poured himself another glass of wine.
"Mapla and Jellas are both stressing you, sir," she murmured, stopping near his knees.
His eyes lifted slowly to hers—surprised, a little intrigued, watching what she was attempting.
Her gaze dropped to his lips.
Her face heavy with seduction, smooth makeup on skin glinting off the warm lights of his living room as she leaned closer, the intense scent of Jade brushing his senses.
"I want to take more than paperwork stress from you, Mr. Miles."
The wine clouded his mind just enough to make him smirk, recognizing the real issue beneath her complaints.
"What would that be, Rhea?" he asked, holding her gaze.
She hesitated, swallowing as she slowly realized her unprofessionalism.
She stepped back, ashamed of her display.
"See you at work tomorrow, Rhea," Miles said.
This time she didn't hesitate. She picked up her bag and shut the door behind her.
**
Crystal rushed in from the rain after Maria, who helped her with the mid-sized luggage she'd brought.
The cab drove off into the heavy downpour of the sudden evening rain.
"Oh, my God!" Crystal gushed, attacking Maria with a hug while Maria carefully monitored the rug beneath their damp shoes to prevent wet footprints.
Maria returned the hug out of courtesy.
The heavy scent of rosy designer perfume filled her nose.
She placed her hand on Crystal's back almost awkwardly, noting the overacting.
"I've missed you so much, Maria," Crystal said, snuggling into the hug. "You were one of my best friends."
"It's fine, Crystal. Let's get you settled in."
Crystal released her from the hug, throwing an overdone emotional smile as she stared dramatically into Maria's eyes. "You've grown so much. It's amazing. The universe clearly wanted our friendship restored."
"Right," Maria replied, already walking away. "Follow me."
"Your home is super pretty," Crystal chimed from behind her as they crossed the seating room toward the guest room—the door before the stairs leading up to Maria's room.
"Thank you," Maria replied again, pushing open the door.
The guest room had an almost hotel-like feel—empty but well furnished.
She'd never imagined she'd use it.
She rolled the luggage beside the bed.
"Oh my God," Crystal gasped again.
Maria turned quizzically.
Crystal's purple glittery manicured fingers pressed to her mouth in disbelief.
"I feel like crying," she trembled, tossing impressively full light brown wavy hair back. "I don't deserve this."
Maria rolled her eyes again inwardly as Crystal feigned sobs.
She approached, placing her hand on Crystal's shoulders. "Come now. Relax, okay? Our differences are in the past."
Differences in the past, her foot.
She could never trust Crystal after she exposed her diary in middle school—humiliating her.
It had hurt her deeply, especially when her crush followed suit by mocking her that he would never have liked her too eventually.
"Thank you, Maria," Crystal sniffed.
"There, there," Maria said with a tight smile before stepping toward the door.
"Take care of yourself. Dinner would soon be ready."
"Okay," Crystal croaked, still convinced Maria believed her tears.
Maria shut the door and headed to the kitchen to microwave something from the fridge for Crystal.
She hadn't expected her call, but it had come this evening while she was settling in after freshening up from work.
She had already eaten.
Maria watched the plate rotate under the warm microwave light.
Jenny's advice replayed in her head.
Her mind wasn't ready to admit that whatever was happening between her and the CEO was already an exchange—a costly one that could destroy everything she worked for.
And if she chose delusion, it might do more harm than good.