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.”

biggest design firms in the city. They’ve all been vying for the same project – a high-end hotel renovation. The kind of

high-end hotel renovation? This was a huge opportunity, something I never

this?” I finally managed,

murmur, “I saw something in you during your interview. A spark A willingness to challenge

wasn’t just impressed by my audacity. She saw my potential, my ability to bring something fresh

she continued, her gaze unwavering, “are you

Chapter 22

But the doubts lingered. Could I compete with established firms? Did I

Looking her

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

already buzzing with ideas. She challenged me with questions, testing my understanding and creativity. I answered back,

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

a lot to take in,”

the project details. I expect a preliminary proposal on my desk by the end

you, Ms. Edwards. I won’t disappoint

curt nod, a hint of a challenge still lingering in her eyes. “I wouldn’t expect

door, a nervous energy vibrated through me, a welcome change from

settling on my shoulders. It was a daunting task, a pressure

I turned back, unsure of what she might say. A full-blown smile, genuine and warm, spread across

as

impatiently in my pocket, pulling me back to the present. A wave of exhilaration washed over me

you did,” Natalia replied, her voice laced with unyielding confidence in me. In the

Mummy?”

to see you and that stubborn twin of yours soon.

“Right.” Briefly, I filled her 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 Alex.

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

lips. Natalia’s infectious enthusiasm was always a mood booster.

already discussed