Chapter Two

The Rules of the Game

Maya barely slept. 

The hours escaped from her control as she analyzed legal files while building the preliminary report followed by rigorous detail examination.

The early morning sun managed to rise over the cityscape while she kept going by using coffee and her unstoppable resolve. 

She printed the report at 7:50 AM before making her way to Damien Knight's office. 

This time, she knocked. 

Silence. 

She hesitated before knocking again. 

Still nothing. 

Was he not in yet? That seemed unlikely. It seems the man chose to rest his eyes in his workplace throughout the night. 

She gently gripped the door handle before opening the entrance. One empty office revealed an unlimited view of the city through the modern desk while no one occupied the space. 

Through the annoyance in his exhaustion, Maya heard a mellow voice sound from the adjacent area. 

''When did my office suddenly become a temporary holding space for waiting people? 

Maya's breath caught. She turned and froze. 

Standing before the office doorway was Damien Knight with his hair messed up while two shirt buttons were open and sleeve cuffs rolled past his elbows. No suit jacket. No tie. 

Just him. 

And he looked devastatingly… human. 

The confident intimidating personality she had witnessed yesterday disappeared completely. A different man occupied that position today but his features showed clear signs of a sleepless night while his appearance was unnerving. 

She swallowed. "I—uh—" 

His eyes shifted to the report which she carried. "You finished it." 

She hurried forward as she answered "yes" to his question. "The preliminary draft, as requested." 

Without walking anymore, he accepted the file from her hand while standing to examine the pages. The room became utterly silent when he reviewed her work because his face showed no expression. 

Maya moved her stance but fought against nervous movements with her feet. 

Then— 

"Not bad." 

Her stomach unclenched. 

His gaze rose abruptly and he started analyzing her. "But not perfect." 

Of course not. She should have known. 

She spoke in a calm tone when she asked what required correction. 

With his arms crossed on his chest he leaned against the desk. ''You show excellent attention to detail according to my assessment. Your solid work ethic means you play everything by the book''. 

Maya frowned. "Meaning?" 

"Meaning" he said before tilting his head, "you expressed yourself as a student would to impress a professor." But this is war, Sinclair. Our approach involves taking down opposing arguments before they find time to take even their first breath. 

Her body reacted intensely to his statement. 

"I can revise it," she said. 

"You will." His mouth creased in what seemed like a playful grin. "And next time, be bolder. You require someone who breaks rules rather than follows them," he said. 

Maya's pulse quickened. ''Do you want me to commit illegal acts according to your instructions Mr Knight? '' 

His facial expression created a brief moment of amusement before he returned to seriousness. He said to me "Learn how the game operates." 

An unexpected wave of electricity ran through her as he returned the document file yet his fingers touched hers only lightly. 

Maya stepped back. I will deliver a revised document to you before noon. 

"Good." He settled onto his seat and massaged his temples then reached for his computer. "You can go." 

Her footsteps led to the exit until he spoke. 

"Oh, and Sinclair?" 

She glanced back. 

His expression remained hard to decipher as he quietly issued a cautionary statement to her. 

"Stay sharp. The company devours everybody who fails to adapt to its environment. 

Maya left the room after nodding but after leaving the office space she discovered his messages contained more than just firm-related warnings. 

During their discussion he made comments about his own capabilities. 

She couldn't figure out if his statement was meant to advise her against weakness or serve as a motivator to prove herself against his example. 

 After dropping the report onto her desk Maya let out a tired sound. She needed air. And coffee. Definitely coffee. 

As she started toward the break room she heard someone address her. 

''The office buzz carried news about your early success''. 

Naomi Carter approached Maya while standing against the cubicle wall with a mysterious smile on her face. 

Maya raised a brow. "News?" 

Naomi smirked. "Word spreads fast around here. The rumors were flying already because you spent time alone with your superior during this morning's meeting. 

"It wasn't private. The sensation of Damien's touch on the file she returned stayed fresh in her mind despite her explanation about giving the report. 

Naomi hummed. ''Your ability to survive that encounter still baffles me. He only gives feedback when he wants to demolish someone during the process.'' 

Maya exhaled. ''The boss gave me nothing more than lousy marks when we met this morning.'' 

Naomi studied her. ''Standing after that encounter demonstrates admirable resilience. Every fresh hire who leaves Damien Knight's office appears almost traumatized following their meeting.'' 

It remained unclear to Maya whether this feedback indicated encouragement or something dangerous. 

Naomi laughed. "Or maybe…" She leaned in, eyes glinting. "He likes you." 

Maya rolled her eyes. "That's not even remotely possible." 

"Is it?" Naomi shrugged. ''The CEO Damien Knight dedicates his attention exclusively to those individuals who hold importance to him. When it comes to criticism he gives nothing back. Your presence as an intact individual suggests he recognizes something worthwhile in you.'' 

''Worthwhile?'' 

An expression of approval should have made her feel respected instead. What caused this fast beating of her heart? 

Maya shook her head. "I doubt that. He only assesses me in the same way he would evaluate any candidate for employment.'' 

A moment passed as Naomi examined her face before breaking into a smile. "Keep telling yourself that." 

Maya entered the break room to make coffee but the conversation kept replaying in her mind. 

Was her perception inaccurate or did Damien Knight act differently toward her? 

She identified unfamiliar emotions in his eyes during her breakfast encounter—they were hard to interpret yet caused a surprising buzz within her. 

Rather than dwell on it she sipped her coffee as she attempted to forget the thought. 

No. 

Damien Knight was her boss. 

Despite unidentified emotional undercurrents she detected between them she stayed mindful about the professional boundaries she needed to uphold. 

The things she said to herself provided her with comfort.