Bonds of the Alpha Billionaire (Maya and Alex)

Chapter 16

-Maya's POV-

I sat on the plush chair, hating how distracted I felt knowing that Natalia must have put in a lot to get me this interview. My father's words echoed in my head, each syllable tumbling through my mind. He'd shoved the papers at me, anger burning in his eyes, and demanded I sign them. My mother followed him out, a silent apology in her eyes that did nothing to soothe the storm raging inside me. "Amaya Stone? Is Amaya Stone here?"

The voice snapped me out of my thoughts. I jumped to my feet, my cheeks burning with embarrassment. The other candidates watched me, probably judging me for not being focused. "Yeah, that's me," I mumbled, shoving the stray hair from my face.

The woman who called my name gave me a warm smile, her eyes crinkling at the corners. She looked about my age, but carried herself with a confidence I envied. Her tailored black suit hugged her curves perfectly, her dark hair sleek and polished.

"No worries," she said kindly, her voice like honey. "Nerves got the best of everyone sometimes. Follow me, Ms. Stone."

I opened my mouth to correct her- it was Mrs. Stone technically, and McCall anyway - but the words wouldn't come out. We stopped in front of a heavy wooden door with a brass nameplate that read "Ms. Edwards." My guide took a deep breath, smoothing her already flawless outfit.

"Just a heads up," she murmured, her voice losing a bit of its earlier cheer. "Ms. Edwards can be a bit... direct. But she's fair, and she appreciates honesty."

I swallowed, my throat suddenly dry. "Direct?" 1 echoed, already picturing a stern woman in a power suit grilling me like a criminal.

She offered a reassuring smile. "Don't worry, you'll be fine. Just be yourself."

Taking another deep breath, I nodded, trying to muster some confidence. The woman gave the door a gentle knock, then pushed it open.

"Ms. Edwards," she announced, her voice back to its usual confident tone. "Amaya Stone is here for her interview."

A woman looked up from behind a massive mahogany desk. She was older than I expected, maybe in her late fifties, with silver streaked hair pulled back in a tight bun. Her eyes met mine, and I felt a shiver run down my spine.

"Thank you.

low tone that commanded attention. "Please, close the

my father swirled around my mind but I knew for now, I had to focus on this interview. I took a

smile.

Edwards," I said, extending a hand. "It's

she stared at my hand for a beat before reaching out and giving it a firm,

she said, her gaze still locked of

feel like just an interview anymore. It felt like a test, an interrogation. And I wasn't sure if I

my portfolio. "Interesting," she finally

Chapter 16

"I like to push boundaries,” I stamntered, “to

eyebrow, "And can you explain how that translates to happy clients? Not everyone wants the unexpected in

mind went blank. All the practiced answers, the slick comebacks I'd prepared- vanished, "Well, ..." I

about expressing yourself, Ms. Stone," she began, a hint of condescension in her voice. "It's about understanding

a deep. breath, I sat up straighter. "You're absolutely right, Ms. Edwards," I said, my voice surprisingly firm. "Understanding the client is key. But sometimes, a designer can help them see beyond limitations, push them outside their comfort zones, create something truly unique. Something that

Edwards" gaze narrowed, then softened a fraction. A flicker of something, maybe even interest, crossed her face.

I said, extending my hand. "It's

Stone," she replied, her voice lacking its earlier edge. "We'll be in

but something had shifted in the room. Maybe it was the way my voice gained strength, the unexpected fire in my eyes. Maybe it was the connection I unknowingly made between my father's words and my own design philosophy,

sun. Car horns blared, pedestrians hurried past in a blur of colors

call from Ivan cut through