One Night Stand With Alexander Blackwood-Chapter 84 — Eighty-four

When Maya returned to the company, she was ten minutes late. She rushed into the office only to be stopped by a lady.

"You’re late." The woman pointed out with her hands folded.

Maya exhaled slowly, then lifted her head to look at Betty properly.

"Betty," she started evenly, "it’s ten minutes. Not a resignation letter."

Betty smirked. "Company policy says punctuality reflects discipline. Maybe you should read the handbook again. And from what I’ve seen, Mr. Blackwood doesn’t tolerate lateness, even if it’s after lunch break."

Maya chuckled under her breath. "And maybe you should stop quoting rules like you enforce them."

Betty’s smile froze on her lips. "Excuse me?"

Maya stepped closer, lowering her voice. Her tone was not threatening, but firm. "We’re in the same department. You are not my supervisor. If you have an issue with my timing, take it up with management instead of playing hall monitor. It doesn’t suit your character."

"I’m just pointing out facts," Betty fired back, her eyes blazing with fury.

"That’s not it," Maya corrected calmly. "You’re picking today to be loud because you think I’ll let it slide."

She tilted her head slightly. "But guess what, you have bad timing."

Betty crossed her arms over her chest, pride seeping into her tone. "So what? You think being close to Serena gives you immunity? That is not true."

Maya’s eyes sharpened at the mention of Serena. "Serena has nothing to do with this. If you’re bothered by her position, that’s your insecurity. Do not project it onto me. It makes you look desperate."

A few nearby coworkers slowed their typing, clearly listening now. They exchanged glance with smiles on their faces. They couldn’t recall the last time there was a full-blown argument in the department. They couldn’t miss this... at all.

Maya glanced around, then returned her gaze to Betty. "If my lateness affects our campaign targets, you’re free to CC me in an email. Otherwise, this conversation ends here."

She picked up her bag from her desk and added lightly, "Unless you’d like to explain to the team why we’re wasting work hours on your mood."

Betty opened her mouth... then closed it. She couldn’t utter any words. Maya had successfully shut her up.

Maya smiled satisfactorily, already turning away. "Good. I’ll catch up on the missed ten minutes. You should do the same. I’m not like you, I’m responsible and account for my actions."

She settled into her seat, logged into her system, and within seconds, the air around her went back to normal while leaving Betty standing there, looking like she’d started a fire and forgot how to control it. She probably did.

She seemed to have forgotten that Maya was sharp-tongued, and couldn’t be messed with.

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Night fell gently over the city, casting dark shadows. The city was bustling as the nightlife began.

Maya stopped in front of a huge building and exhaled. She picked up a phone, and dialed Serena’s number. The call was only picked up after a few rings.

"Where are you?" She asked, her eyes darting around.

"Turn around." Serena replied from the other end.

Maya did as told, and relief washed through her when she saw Serena.

Serena walked to her with a smile dancing at the corner of her lips. "Did you think I’d bail on you?"

"You guessed right." Maya answered with a chuckle, then sighed.

Serena narrowed her eyes. "What’s wrong? You don’t have your usual countenance. Did something happen?" She asked worriedly as they walked into the bar.

Maya handed Serena her phone. "See for yourself."

Serena cautiously took the phone. Displayed was a text message from an unknown number.

[I’m coming for you, Maya. Get ready.]

Serena read it repeatedly, and her brows knitted. "This is?"

Maya didn’t reply, but the expression on her face was enough for Serena to know who it was.

"The one who taught you how to fight?" She whispered as they were welcomed by the loud cheering in the bar.

Maya nodded.

Serena’s breath caught in her throat, then suggested. "Let’s find a place to sit first."

They maneuvered their way around the crowd till they found an empty sofa.

"Sit," Serena instructed, pushing Maya to the sofa. "Why did he send such a message to you?"

Maya shook her head, indicating she didn’t know.

"Something also happened this afternoon." She then went ahead to tell Serena about her encounter with the bald man.

Serena listened quietly. When Maya was done, she had a complicated expression on her face.

"How sure are you that he is the one that sent the thug? What if it was just a coincidence?" Serena asked softly.

Maya shook her head. "I’m absolutely sure that he is the one. Besides, the thug confirmed it." She exhaled deeply. "Serena, I thought I’d finally left my past behind. Why is he coming back to haunt me?"

Serena reached out and took Maya’s hands, her grip firm and warm.

"Hey," she said softly. "Look at me."

Maya lifted her head slowly, her eyes darker than Serena had ever seen them. There was fear there. This time, it was real fear and her eyes were stripped of every form of sarcasm and bravado.

"You didn’t do anything wrong," Serena continued. "You defended yourself. You walked away. You survived whatever he put you through. That already makes you stronger than he’ll ever be."

Maya let out a shaky laugh, running a hand through her hair. "You say that like it’s easy."

"I know it’s not," Serena admitted. "But you’re not alone anymore. You don’t have to fight this by yourself."

Maya’s fingers tightened around Serena’s. "What if he doesn’t stop? What if he really shows up? I’d be damned if he does, Serena."

"Then we won’t let him corner you," Serena replied quietly. "We stay alert. And if it comes to it..." she hesitated, then met Maya’s gaze, "...we get help. Real help. And put this in the past."

Maya studied her for a long moment, then nodded. "I hate that he still has this power over me."

"He doesn’t," Serena said firmly. "Fear doesn’t mean power. It just means the wound hasn’t healed yet."

Maya finally smiled. "I’m glad to have you here with me."

"You know I’ll always have your back." Serena chuckled. "Now, it’s time to have fun."

Serena tugged Maya up from the sofa before she could protest. "Come on," she said lightly. "We didn’t come all this way to sulk in a corner."

Maya hesitated for half a second, then allowed herself to be pulled along. The dance floor was alive. Lights flashed, bodies moved in sync with the bass thumping through the air.

For a moment, the noise was overwhelming, but then Serena laughed, spinning Maya around, and something inside her loosened.

She let herself move. She didn’t need to dwell on the past. Whatever happened, she’d take it as it was.

Her movements were slow at first before they became fast. The music drowned out the thoughts clawing at the back of her mind, and the fear receded just enough for her to breathe.

Serena danced without care, hair swaying, eyes bright, and Maya found herself smiling despite everything.

Across the bar, a man leaned casually against the counter, one elbow resting on polished wood as he watched the crowd with measured interest. His gaze wasn’t restless like the others’, nor was it predatory. It was discerning. 𝒻𝓇𝑒𝘦𝘸𝑒𝒷𝓃ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝒸ℴ𝘮

And this gayze... it found Maya.