Chapter 14

It was past 8 PM. Nira tried getting Maya's attention, who was totally focused into her work, clearly not hearing anything.

"Knock, knock!"

"What is it?" Maya asked, rubbing her eyes and trying to stifle a yawn, showing her tiredness from the work.

"Boss is looking for you," Nira said with a teasing smile.

"What... Did I do something wrong again?" Maya's hands flew to her head in frustration, her thoughts racing with worry.

"Why the fuss? Just go."

Maya stood in front of Steven's office, her heart pounding as she remembered his intimidating face. She was so scared she'd run away if she could. Steven saw her silhouette outside the door and said, "Come in."

"I heard you were looking for me," she said, her voice trembling with nerves.

"Ah, yes. Um, are you doing okay?" That wasn't the real reason he was looking for her. He just wanted to see her, close up, just her.

"Yes, thanks for asking."

"Office hours are almost over. Are you done with your work?"

"Yes, but I was just researching some papers," she replied, hoping she didn't sound too defensive.

"So, theoretically, you're done for the day," he said, his eyes fixed on his computer.

"Yes," she confirmed.

"That's it then."

Maya was about to leave, but she remembered she wanted to discuss something. She checked her watch. It was past office hours. She turned back, saying, "Steven?"

He glared at her, a bit annoyed by the sudden informality. "What's with that look? Office hours are over." She smiled at him, pointing at her watch. He sighed and focused on the computer again, secretly relieved to see the smile he always wanted to see.

"Do you have something to say?" he asked.

"Yes. I don't know how to approach you about this, but I want to move into my apartment. I know it's sudden. I've been trying to tell you for a long time, but I thought you'd be annoyed."

"Alright," he said.

"Huh?" She was surprised by how agreeable he was.

"I said alright."

"I mean, only if this doesn't trouble you. On the other hand, I heard you live in different places whenever you like, so I thought..."

"Alright, alright. Why are you asking my permission? That's your apartment."

"Is this really okay with you?"

"It is really okay with me, Maya." He reassured her again, voice soft and gentle.

"Thank you so much." She said.

"By the way, I don't stay at different places these days. So, you have to live with me."

Steven's words made Maya blush; her face turned as red as a tomato. The term "live together" weren't new to her, but they felt fresh.

"Hey? What are you thinking? You're all red?" Steven said, standing up and grabbing his coat.

Maya slapped herself to snap back to reality and turned to leave.

"Hey, Maya?"

"Eh?"

"When are you moving in?"

"I still need to pack things," she retorted.

"What do you need to pack? You have everything at your apartment."

"Well, clothes, Steven! Clothes! You want me to live without clothes?" she fired back, embarrassed.

Steven's cheeks turned red this time. He scratched his head. "Well, just pack your clothes so you can move in tomorrow. It's the weekend; maybe I can help you."

"Oh, I almost forgot. Thanks. Alright then, I'll call you."

"Sure. I will just go to your house tomorrow, is that okay?" he asked, cautioned.

"That would be so good."

"Alright. So if you are done for today, let's go. I'll drop you off," he said.

"You really don't have to."

"But you went to the rooftop with Levi that day," he pouted a little.

"Mr. Thompson? Again? Steven, I really don't get you. And I didn't go to the rooftop with him; we just happened to meet there. Don't get the wrong idea," she retorted angrily.

"Are you mad?"

"No, I'm awfully happy. Let's go then."

She left his office to get her bag.

(Do my thoughts really matter to you, Maya?) Steven thought.

Steven was waiting at the entrance of the building, browsing his phone. Kevin, Ethan, and Levi came out together.

"Hey, Steven!" Ethan called.

Steven waved at them.

"You didn't go yet? Are you waiting for someone?" Kevin asked. Levi glanced at Steven; their eyes met.

"Larson," Steven said, looking at Levi.

"I have to leave. Take care," Levi said, leaving with an unsatisfied expression on his face.

"What's with him?" Kevin asked.

"Steven, did something happen with him?" Ethan asked.

"I don't know. What could have happened?" Steven shook his head.

"Why? What did I miss?" Kevin asked, completely clueless.

"Nothing happened, dude," Steven tried to avoid the topic.

"That's good then. See ya. Let's go, Kevin," Ethan said.

. . .

Shonn was sitting in the kitchen, having his dinner when Levi came home. He threw himself onto the couch. Shonn sighed and went to his brother with a plate in his hand. "You look awful when you're in love," Shonn said, munching food in his mouth.

Levi chuckled a little with his eyes closed. "Are you here to comfort me again?"

"Not in my dictionary."

"I knew that too. But thanks to that LOVE, you're talking to me now."

Shonn didn't reply. He kept quiet until Levi spoke again.

"I didn't know what I was feeling, but now I guess this is it."

"Is she a colleague?" Shonn asked.

"Yes."

"Maybe she's keeping her distance so that people won't judge her."

"What would they do?" Levi rolled his eyes to see Shonn as he was lying on the couch.

"Because you're the CEO, plus I guess you're one of those ladies' men. So they might get jealous if you... I mean if you try to get closer to her." Shonn averted his eyes from Levi.

Levi broke into laughter. "Ladies' man! Haha, Shonn, I never knew you knew these phrases."

"Whatever. I'm going."

"Thanks," Levi said.

"For what?"

"For making me feel at home," Levi said. Shonn didn't want to smile, but he couldn't help it.

"You look more handsome when you smile, Shonn," Levi said.

"Yeah, yeah, thanks, whatever. I get that a lot," Shonn stood up.

"From whom? Girlfriend?" Levi teased.

"That's none of your business." Shonn left. Levi just smiled.

. . .

The next day,

"Sis, you're leaving all of a sudden. You could stay a few more days," Sara retorted as Maya packed her luggage.

"It's not like I'm going far. If you want, you can come every day," Maya patted her head.

"I'll be all alone again. Papa and Mama will leave in a week too."

"Don't worry. I'll visit you from time to time. And whenever you want, just come by, okay?"

"Ah, your roommate will be annoyed by that," Sara pouted.

"He won't. Don't worry."

"But, sis, don't get me wrong, but is this really safe to move in with a guy?"

"Sara, in a few minute, you are going to regret what you just said." Maya said, teasing her sis, "Besides, I'll earn and get back the full apartment soon. By the way, he's not the type that you are worrying about, I'm telling you."

"Why are you not telling me his name?"

"Because you'll see in a bit. Trust me, you'll be surprised." Maya said, as she remembered, Sara became close to her friends during a trip, especially Steven. He adored her as his little sister. He used to send her chocolates and books on special occasions. Steven became her favorite even though Maya wasn't really that close to him. Well, she was close to Steven since he used to hang out with her, and they were in the same circle, but it wasn't the same. Imagine a friends' circle of five people: four of them are close, three of them even closer, and one of them the closest. Steven fell into the 'close' category, not quite reaching her innermost circle as he was always very reserved in the circle.

The doorbell rang. Maya's mom went to open the door, not knowing who it would be. She scanned from head to toe three times and literally screamed, "Steven, how much did you grow in two years?"

Steven felt shy, so he scratched his head and nodded to her. Sara ran from Maya's room hearing the name after two years. Maya followed her from behind and stood leaning against her door.

"Steven, you! You're Maya's new roommate! Also the boss! How in the world? Thank God. Why don't you two get married then!"

Everyone's jaw dropped. Maya's father flicked Sara's head with a rolled paper.

"Steven, don't mind her. She's speaking nonsense. Come in."

Steven sat on the couch. Sara sat beside him.

"Actually, I don't mind, Mr. Larson." They didn't get what he was talking about. Maya's dad asked, "What, son?"

"Marrying Maya... I don't mind."

Sara clapped her hands together, beaming with excitement. "I knew it! You two would be perfect for each other!"

Maya's father cleared his throat, trying to regain some composure. "Alright, alright. Let's not get ahead of ourselves. Steven, would you like some coffee?" he offered, trying to change the subject.

"Yes, please, Mr. Larson," Steven replied politely.

Maya's mom bustled into the kitchen to prepare the coffee while Maya sat down on the couch, still in a state of shock. She couldn't believe that Steven had just casually mentioned marrying her in front of her family.