CHAPTER 4

Maya’s POV

“You’re back so soon?”

Lana’s voice pierced through the stillness of the dormitory as I walked through the door. My heart was still hammering from the rush, but I forced a smile, hoping she wouldn’t notice.

“Mr. Cole called,” I explained, my voice strained. “Had to go back to the office.”

I watched Lana’s eyes narrow. “Called you back in the middle of your day off? That’s... kind of ridiculous.”

I didn’t have the energy to argue. I dropped my purse onto the kitchen counter, then headed straight for the small bedroom to change. Lana’s voice followed me, laced with concern.

“Doesn’t he care you’ve been working nonstop?” she pressed.

I didn’t answer immediately. I didn’t have an answer.

I was still reeling from the events of the past month. The pressure was becoming unbearable, and now, with the memory of Ray’s disapproving glance still fresh in my mind, I couldn’t even enjoy the rare moments when I was supposed to be off duty.

In the bathroom, I quickly changed into a business suit. Ray had a way of demanding the impossible, and I wasn’t about to test him further by showing up in anything less than perfectly professional attire. I could almost feel his eyes on me as I dressed—cold, demanding, and calculating.

When I emerged, Lana was still fuming, pacing back and forth in the living room.

“This isn’t right,” she muttered, more to herself than to me. “You’ve been on a business trip for a month, and he doesn’t even let you have one single day to breathe? He’s taking advantage of you.”

“I’m fine,” I said, brushing it off with a sigh. “I’ve been working for him for two years. He does this sometimes.”

Lana didn’t look convinced. “No one can work like that, Maya. You’re being pushed too hard, and he’s not even giving you the chance to take a break.” She shot me a pointed look. “You should talk to HR. Or at least... do something.”

I didn’t respond. Lana didn’t understand. Ray didn’t operate like other bosses. There was no room for complaint, no time for rest. Everything came second to his work, and if you couldn’t handle it, you were out.

And I knew, deep down, I couldn’t afford to leave.

I grabbed the taco I’d bought on the way back and set it on the table before hurrying out the door. “I’ll be back soon. Don’t wait up.”

It took me ten minutes to walk from the dormitory to the office. I couldn’t shake the frustration building in my chest, but there was no point in dwelling on it. I had a job to do, even if Ray’s call had ruined my only day off.

I entered the office building, my steps echoing in the otherwise quiet hallway. As I passed the reception, the cold, impersonal atmosphere of the place hit me like a wave. The high-rise, glass-and-steel structure that housed the Cole Group always made me feel small, insignificant.

But I had to push that feeling down. I couldn’t let it show. Not now. Not when I was this close to breaking.

When I reached the president’s office, I took a deep breath before knocking, trying to steady myself.

The door opened almost immediately. Ray stood in front of the floor-to-ceiling window, bathed in the soft glow of the late afternoon sun. His silhouette was sharp, commanding, every inch the man who owned this city.

“Mr. Cole,” I said, walking in and keeping my voice steady. “You needed something?”

Ray didn’t acknowledge me right away. His gaze remained fixed on the view outside, as if he were lost in thought. I stood there, waiting, trying not to let the silence choke me.

Finally, he turned, his eyes cold as usual. “Bring me the Seaward Group’s proposal.”

I blinked, trying to process the request. Ray rarely handled contracts himself. He had people for that. He never needed me for things like this.

“Sir, I thought the Legal Department was handling the proposal?” I said, my voice coming out softer than I intended.

Ray gave me an almost imperceptible glance before responding, his tone cutting through the air. “Now. Please.”

I nodded quickly, suppressing the frustration that rose up my throat. “Of course, Mr. Cole.”

I didn’t have the time or courage to argue. Instead, I turned and left, heading for the Legal Department to find the contract he demanded.

When I returned, my hands were shaking as I placed the proposal on his desk. Ray didn’t even look at me as he grabbed the papers, flipping through them without a word. His usual indifference made my stomach twist.

Without a pause, he took a pen and scribbled some notes on the document before tossing it back at me. “Edit it according to my notes.”

I stared at the contract, barely able to breathe. The edits were simple, but they were constant. Every time I thought I was done, he would hand it back to me for another round. It went on like that for nearly two hours.

I could feel the weight of each passing minute, the pressure building until I thought I might snap. My phone buzzed on my desk. Lana’s text was waiting.

“Are you done yet? We were supposed to go shopping.”

I sighed, typing quickly, “I’m still editing. Give me thirty minutes.”

At least the work was simple. It was just formatting and making a few minor adjustments. Thirty minutes should have been plenty of time. But of course, that wasn’t enough for Ray.

After the fifth round of edits, I could barely hold my patience together. I was so close to losing it that I had to press my palms against the desk to stop myself from shaking.

Two hours later, Ray gave me the green light. “Good enough for today,” he said dismissively, without even looking up.

I forced myself to smile, holding the edited contract in my hands. “Are the Seaward Group representatives coming by to sign it?” I asked, trying to mask my growing exhaustion.

Ray didn’t even flinch. “We’ll sign it next Monday.”

I felt my smile freeze, and I took a slow, steady breath. He’d called me back for this? After all that work, after the constant revisions, there was no immediate need for the contract?

I stood there, staring at him. The silence between us was heavy, filled with something I couldn’t quite put my finger on.

“Anything else, Mr. Cole?” I asked, forcing my voice to remain calm.

He clicked his lighter, the sound sharp in the quiet room. The smell of nicotine filled the air. My chest tightened, but I tried to remain composed.

Ray finally spoke, his voice low and unnerving. “Did you think I was your boyfriend when you picked up my call?”

I blinked, caught completely off guard. “What?”

His eyes met mine, cold and calculating. “Female employees aren’t allowed to date before they turn twenty-five. Company policy.”

I tried to remember if I’d ever heard of such a rule. The new employee orientation was a blur, but I couldn’t recall anything about this.

“I’m not dating anyone,” I replied firmly, hoping the lie would convince him. “I’m not planning to get married anytime soon.”

Ray’s gaze softened just slightly, but only for a moment. “Good,” he said, before turning back to his desk. “You’re dismissed.”

As I turned to leave, the air felt colder than before, but I couldn’t tell if it was because of Ray or the weight of the lie I’d just told.