Chapter 169
Maya's POV:
I stared at my phone screen. On Instagram, Chloe had just posted a photo. It was her and Parker, holding up a marriage license. They looked happy. I double-tapped the screen to like it and typed a quick comment: Congrats! Finally!
Just then, my phone rang. It was an unknown number. I hesitated for a second, then swiped to answer.
"Hello? Is this Ms. Maya Bennett?"
"This is she."
"Hi, I’m calling from the HR department at Stellar Horizons. We received your resume. We’d like to schedule an interview for tomorrow morning at nine o'clock."
I froze. For a second, I thought I was hearing things. An interview? Finally? After weeks of silence, someone actually wanted to meet me.
"Ms. Bennett?"
"Oh, yes. I’m listening. Thank you. I’ll be there tomorrow morning perfectly on time."
"Great. We'll see you then."
I hung up and let out a breath I didn't know I was holding. My heart was pounding. I was excited. It had been so long since I had a real job. I was starting to feel like the corporate world had chewed me up and spit me out. But now, there was hope.
That evening, Adam walked out of the bathroom. He had a towel around his waist and was drying his hair with another. He stopped when he saw me on the sofa, glued to my iPad.
He walked over and glanced at the screen. "Stellar Horizons?"
I looked up at him. I couldn't stop smiling. "Their HR department called me. I have an interview tomorrow. I’m just doing some research on them."
Adam paused. He stopped drying his hair and frowned slightly. "I’ve never heard of this company, Maya. It must be tiny. Small companies usually mean low pay and too much work. Don't go."
I shook my head firmly. "I want to go."
It wasn't about the money. It was about me. It was hard enough getting a callback. I couldn't let this chance slip away. Even if the company was small, it didn't matter. I just wanted a job.
Adam looked at me for a long moment. He saw the determination in my eyes. He didn't try to persuade me further. He chose to respect it.
The next morning, I arrived at Stellar Horizons.
Adam was right. The company was small. It was located in a shared office building downtown, tucked away among a dozen other startups.
"Ms. Bennett? Come in."
I walked into the office. Sitting behind a large, cluttered desk was a woman with sharp eyes and a sleek bob. She looked efficient. Dangerous, even.
She looked up. Her gaze swept over me from head to toe. "You used to be an Executive Assistant at Garrison Industries?"
I nodded. "Yes."
"Why did you quit?"
"Personal reasons."
She didn't press for details. "My company is much smaller than Garrison. Besides me, there are only three other employees. You would be my personal secretary and assistant. The work is complex, messy, and demanding. Can you handle that?"
I blinked. Was she hiring me right now? Just like that?
"I can," I said immediately.
"Good. Come in tomorrow to start." The woman looked back down at her paperwork. She didn't waste words. She was all business.
I later learned her name was Serena Blake. She was the owner. She had quit a high-level job at a tech giant to start her own business. She was tough, smart, and exactly the kind of boss I needed to keep my mind busy.
My first day was a whirlwind. Serena piled work on my desk before I even had my coat off. Thankfully, I had experience. I fell back into my old rhythm quickly.
By six o'clock, the other employees had left. Serena was still in her office. As her assistant, I felt I shouldn't leave before the boss. So I stayed, organizing files that didn't really need organizing.
I called Mrs. Sterling at the estate. She agreed to send a driver to pick up Amy from daycare.
At six-thirty, Adam called me.
"Hey," I answered, keeping my voice low. "I’m still at work."
"Still?" Adam’s voice dropped an octave. "Where are you? I’m coming to get you."
"No, you don't need to," I said quickly. "I drove..."
Adam hung up before I could finish.
Ten minutes later, Serena walked out of her office, bag in hand. She stopped when she saw me. She looked genuinely surprised. "Why haven't you left?"
I stood up. "I’m your assistant. I thought you might need something."
Serena shook her head. "Maya, listen. I don't need a babysitter. If your work is done, go home. Don't stay just to impress me. I value efficiency, not face time."
"Okay. Understood, Ms. Blake."
"Just Serena. Let's go."
We rode the elevator down together. When we reached the lobby, I waved. "Goodbye, Serena."
"Night." She headed toward the underground garage.
I walked out of the building and stopped. There, parked right in the loading zone, was Adam’s car.
He got out and walked toward me. He looked out of place on this busy street in his tailored suit. He reached out, took my bag naturally, and wrapped his large hand around my cold fingers.
"Why did they make you work overtime on your first day?" he asked, his brow furrowed.
I leaned into him slightly. "I didn't know the rules. My boss, Serena, actually told me to leave. She said as long as the work is done, I can go. She seems pretty fair."
Adam opened the car door for me. "If it's too tiring, don't do it. I don't want you to suffer."
"I'm not tired," I said honestly. "I have plenty of energy."
Adam gave a helpless smile. "Get in."
We didn't go back to the apartment. We went straight to the Beacon Hill estate. The staff had prepared dinner for us. We ate with his parents, and afterwards, we picked up Amy, who had been playing happily with the housekeeper.
On the drive back to our apartment, silence filled the car. I looked at Amy sleeping in the backseat, then turned to Adam.
"Honey," I said. "Let's hire a nanny."
We were both busy now, and I couldn't rely on grandmother forever.
"I'll transfer two staff members from the main estate. People who have worked for the family for twenty years."
I nodded. "Okay. That works."
I trusted the staff at the estate. They were professionals. It would give me peace of mind.
Saturday morning arrived.
We finished breakfast, and Adam stood up, checking his watch. "Let's go. We need to try on wedding clothes."
My eyes widened. I had almost forgotten. "Right. I’ll go change."
"I want to go too!" Amy shouted, jumping off her chair.
Adam looked down at her. "Let's move, then."
We arrived at the bridal salon. It was a private appointment. While I went to try on a gown, Amy and Adam went to the changing rooms.
When I came out, holding the heavy fabric of the dress, I saw them sitting on the velvet sofa. Adam looked sharp in a tuxedo. Amy was wearing a custom-made flower girl dress that made her look like a doll.
Amy looked up at him. "Daddy, when you and Mommy get married, do I really have to be the flower girl?"
Adam adjusted his cuffs. "Of course. You'll be a flower girl. You'll look like a little angel."
Amy frowned. She crossed her small arms. "But I don't want to."
"Why not?"
"I'm shy," she muttered.
Adam reached over and pinched her cheek. "You? Shy? With skin this thick? I don't believe it."
Amy swatted his hand away. She looked at him with serious, grey-green eyes. "You have so much money. Can't you just hire a flower girl? Why do you have to use me?"
Adam laughed. He leaned back, looking at her with amusement. "Just because I have money doesn't mean I waste it. Your mother would yell at me. Besides, using you is better."
"Why?" Amy demanded.
"Because," Adam grinned, tapping her nose. "You're free."