Chapter 4 - Late by a Week

His blue eyes looked upward as she entered.

“Place it on the desk,” he instructed her.

Maya bit the inside of her mouth. She walked across the room and placed the report on the desk in front of him.

She stood quietly for a moment resisting the urge to rub her eyes. “Is there anything else, sir? I’d like to leave for the day”.

Xander sat back In his chair, “Did you verify the information before sending it?”

Maya’s hands were balled at her sides. Of course, I did. I always do. He always kept undermining her.

“Yes I double-checked all the figures. They’re all accurate.”

Xander tapped the folder. He pulled it open and scanned the pages. The quiet stretched on.

Maya shifted uncomfortably.

She waited out minutes before he spoken.

“You can leave,” he said, his voice quiet.

She released the breath she didn’t know she was holding. “Thank you,” she said, turning to leave.

Xander closed the folder shut and placed it on the desk and said suddenly. “You need to improve your sense of fashion, Miss Thompson.”

Maya halted in her steps and turned back to face him. “Excuse me?”

“As my secretary you will attend a lot of high-profile events, you need to dress more fashionably,” he instructed her bluntly.

Maya blinked, surprised by the remark. She looked at her dress she thought it was okay. Simple, official and comfortable.

She put on a small, thin-smiled smile on her face. “I think I dress just fine”

Crap. This was a whole level of arrogance. What did he know about fashion.

Xander stared at her, then leaned forward, resting his elbows on the desk. “I’m not saying it isn’t fine. Just purchase more luxurious clothing. People can tell if something is cheap, you know”.

The words hit like a slap.

Her breath caught and she nearly lost it on him. Did he just call her cheap. No, he called her poor. All her self-control was summoned to resist lashing back at him.

“Well, I haven’t gotten my pay so there’s nothing I can do about that.” She said tightly with a forced smile.

He leaned forward and picked up a black card from his desk drawer.

“Go shopping this weekend on the company, the card has a 100,000 dollar limit,” he said, sliding it across the desk.

Maya’s throat went dry. A hundred thousand-dollars? Was he that rich that he was giving her such money without batting an eyelid. Or could it be —

“I—” she started, I cannot accept this, sir. It isn’t professional.

Xander leaned back, studying her intently. “Let me guess—you think I’m still offering this because I want something in return.”

Maya stiffened. Weren’t all men like that they shower you with gifts and then expect you to grace their bed.

“Don’t flatter yourself Miss Thompson. Just take the card.”

After a moment, she took the card. If he wanted her to spend his money so badly, she’d do just that.

She took the card, tucking it into her pocket with a neutral expression.

Xander smiled, looking satisfied.

Maya swallowed, taking one final look at him before turning on her heel and walking towards the door.

Xander stood behind his desk, smiling to himself. He reached for his pen, and was about to continue his work—when the door swung open without a knock.

He looked up as the door swung open. Did she change her mind? Was she here to return the card?

“Well, if it isn’t the elusive Mr. Blackwood.”

Xander took a sharp breath, “How did you get in here, Miss Ivan”.

Through the door of course and drop the formalities please. Call me Camellia.

The woman in the doorway cocked her head, lips curving into a slow, sly smile. She had on a close-fitting burgundy dress, the fabric molding her curves in all the right places. She walked into the room, heels tapping the floor. She edged closer to him and leaned on his desk flashing some cleavage.

Xander leaned back in his chair, his expression unchanging. He was not moved by these things. He had seen and had his fair share of beautiful women.

One particular one came to mind.

Maya.

He pushed the thought away quickly.

Why her?

Perhaps simply because she was his most recent conquest.

“What are you doing here?” he asked

Camellia sighed dramatically, sinking into the chair across from him. She crossed a leg over the other, one hand on the armrest. “Come on, is that how you talk to a friend?”

He raised an eyebrow. "We are acquaintances".

She tsked, unfazed. “Ouch. That stings.”

Xander stared at her unyielding.

She let the silence build, watching him.

Xander picked up his pen, tapping it against his desk in slow, measured strokes. “Get to the point”

Camellia’s smile widened.

“Very well. If you insist.” She slightly inclined her head. “We have things to discuss.”

“What?” he said brusquely.

She stared back at him. “ Us. Possibly at lunch”.

He did not so much as blink, he tapped his fingertips on the table as if thinking deeply.

Her smile softened. “Do relax, dear. It’s just lunch.”

“I do not have time for lunch.”

“I don’t either but our parents won’t quit. Tomorrow at noon. I’ll text you the address.”

Xander exhaled through his nose, sitting back in his chair not saying anything.

Camellia smiled. “I’ll take that as a yes.”

With that, she turned, making her way to the door.

***

Maya didn’t know how exhausted she was until she entered her apartment. The minute she closed the door, she dropped her bag, removed her heels, and collapsed on her bed.

Her arms and legs ached as she stretched.

The tension of the week had been torture.

She closed her eyes and was nearly asleep—

Buzz.

Her phone was ringing on the bed. She snarled, rummaging for it. She opened her phone and a message appeared.

Xander: Be at the office at 6:45 AM on Monday. We have a business meeting. Dress professionally. Don’t be late.

Maya let out a bitter laugh, tossing her phone onto the couch. “I need a new job.”

She quickly fell asleep.

The next morning she woke up with a pounding headache and a knot in her stomach. She suddenly felt lightheaded and before she had even realized what was happening, she had bolted for the bathroom and was throwing up.

She gripped the edge of the sink, gazing into the mirror.

It’s stress. I’ve been exhausted. That’s all. She said as if trying to convince herself.

As she wiped her mouth, she reached for her phone.

Hesitating for only a second, she opened her period tracker app.

Over a week late.