Bonds

Chapter 22

-Maya’s POV-

I hadn’t expected the call. After I put my phone down, a series of questions ran through my mind but I was here now, the metal door was the only thing separating us and taking a deep breath, I knocked. A voice, crisp and efficient, called out from within. “Come in.”

Pushing the door open, I stepped inside, my gaze immediately falling on the woman seated behind the massive mahogany desk. She looked different today, less imposing somehow. Gone was the stern expression, replaced by a hint of a smile. Was it my imagination, or did her eyes hold a flicker of something akin to… respect?

“Ms. Stone,” she greeted, her voice still holding that same commanding tone, but laced with a touch of warmth that surprised me. “Please, have a seat.”

I sat down in the plush chair, the smooth leather cool against my skin. My mind raced, replaying Alex’s cryptic call over and over again but I had to focus.

If she had called me back it meant I got the job right? Right?

“You called me back,” I finally blurted out, unable to hold back the question any longer.

Her smile widened, a genuine smile this time that crinkled the corners of her eyes. “Yes, Ms. Stone, I did,” she confirmed. “You know why?”

I shook my head, my heart pounding a frantic rhythm against my ribs.

“Because,” she began, leaning back in her chair, “out of all the candidates I interviewed for the design position, you were the only one who truly impressed me.”

“You weren’t afraid to push back,” She continued, her voice losing its earlier formality. “You spoke your mind, even when you disagreed with me. That’s at quality I value highly, Ms. Stone. Most people just parrot back what they think I want to hear.”

I swallowed, my cheeks burning with a mixture of surprise and a dawning sense of validation. Had I actually… impressed her with my audacity? It seemed almost unbelievable.

She leaned forward, her gaze sharpening once more. “Now,” she said, her voice back to its usual business-like tone, “that doesn’t mean your interview was perfect. Frankly, your portfolio was a bit… unorthodox, shall we say?”

I braced myself, the warmth in my chest giving way to a familiar knot of anxiety. “I like to take risks,” I admitted, “To create something unexpected.” “And sometimes,” she countered, a hint of amusement dancing in her eyes, “unexpected clients walk through that door with very specific expectations.”

towards a stack of folders on her desk. “These are proposals from some of the biggest design firms in the city. They’ve all been vying for the same project – a high-end hotel renovation.

high-end hotel renovation? This was a huge opportunity, something I never dared to dream of.

finally

murmur, “I saw something in you during your interview. A spark A willingness to challenge the norm. And frankly, the other proposals… well, let’s just say they’re a

audacity. She saw my potential, my ability to bring something fresh and exciting to the table. This wasn’t

gaze unwavering, “are you

Chapter 22

Could I compete with established

took a deep breath, feeling the weight of her expectation settle on me. Looking her straight in the eye, I spoke with a

“Excellent,” she replied, a hint of satisfaction in her voice. Then let’s get

She outlined the project details, the client’s vision, and the tight deadlines. I listened intently, my mind already buzzing with ideas. She challenged me with questions, testing my understanding and creativity. I answered back, fueled by a surge of détermination and

finally ended, I felt exhilarated and slightly exhausted. This was going to be a challenge, no doubt about it.

lot to take in,” I admitted, gathering my

Now, go back and review the project details. I expect a preliminary

you, Ms. Edwards. I won’t disappoint

offered a curt nod, a hint of a challenge still

nod, a newfound confidence blooming in my chest. Stepping towards the door, a nervous energy vibrated through me, a welcome change from

reached for the doorknob, the weight of the high-end hotel renovation project settling on my shoulders. It was a daunting task, a pressure cooker of deadlines

what she might say. A full-blown smile, genuine and warm, spread

as

the office, the sterile hallway seemed to hum with possibility. My phone buzzed impatiently in my pocket, pulling me back to the present. A wave of exhilaration washed over me as I

you did,” Natalia replied, her voice laced with unyielding confidence in me. In the background, I could hear Ivy’s excited chatter, “Is

Mummy?”

see you

I was during the interview. It was a white lie but! was just too happy. It felt like an

me. When she finished, her voice vibrated with barely contained excitement. “So? How are we celebrating? Drinks? Food? Unleashing our

Natalia’s infectious enthusiasm was always a mood booster.

We already discussed