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.”

some of the biggest design firms in the city. They’ve all been vying for the same project – a

something I never dared to dream of. But the competition must be

me this?” I finally managed, the question tumbling out in a

said, her voice dropping to a low murmur, “I saw something in you during your interview. A spark A willingness to challenge the norm. And

audacity. She saw my potential, my ability to bring something fresh and exciting to the table. This wasn’t just an interview anymore. It was a challenge, an invitation to showcase everything I

gaze unwavering,

Chapter 22

a chance I couldn’t afford to pass up. But the doubts lingered. Could I compete with established firms? Did I have what it took to take on such a

of her expectation settle on me. Looking her straight

a smile that spoke volumes. “Excellent,” she replied, a hint

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

to be a challenge, no doubt about it. But for the first time in a long time, I felt

lot to take in,” I admitted, gathering

go back and review the project details. I expect a preliminary proposal on my desk by the

stood up,”Thank you, Ms. Edwards. I won’t

a challenge still lingering in her eyes. “I wouldn’t expect anything

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

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 and demanding clients. This was my chance, my opportunity to prove myself, not just to

genuine and warm, spread across her face, momentarily erasing the usual sternness. “Welcome to the team,” she said, the words

as

hers. Stepping out of 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 answered the call. “I got it!” I practically shouted, the words tumbling out

voice laced with unyielding confidence in me. In the background, I could hear Ivy’s excited chatter, “Is

Mummy?”

“And she is coming to see you and

in on the good news, embellishing slightly about how awesome I was during the interview. It was a white lie but! was just too happy. It felt like an escape from all the drama that seemed to surround my life from the moment I met

she finished, her voice vibrated with barely

lips. Natalia’s infectious enthusiasm was always a mood booster. “Slow down there, tiger,” I teased. “Will

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