The sudden clatter of files jolted Maria from her focus on the computer.
They were the ones Pete had dumped on her last Friday, piled like a warning.
She looked up, still startled by his abrupt interruption into his furious stare.
"Good morning, Pete," she said evenly, not in the mood for his problems on a Monday morning.
"You're becoming a brave corporate slut, aren't you?" he hissed, loud enough for only her to hear.
Maria met his gaze, forcing calm into her voice.
She had woken on the wrong side of the bed, torn between expecting Crystal's call and trying to sleep on time.
She took a deep breath.
"I don't understand what you mean, Pete."
He scoffed before a dubious smirk stretched his lips. "When the Genova brothers are done passing you around, you'll be nothing but leftover. And I'll enjoy dealing with you the way I can, then."
Maria flinched internally, but she lowered her gaze and ignored him.
Seconds later, he picked up the files and left, frustrated that she hadn't responded.
Miles had reduced her workload faster than expected.
She was grateful, relieved to focus on the project without interruptions finally.
"Maria." A familiar, sharp voice drew her attention.
Rhea stood in the doorway, a deep pink dress hugging her trim figure.
Her hair was slicked back in a ponytail and her makeup matched the glam of the night they had first met at the fundraiser.
"Come with me," she said, pride evident in her face as she walked away.
Maria stood and picked up her phone, adjusting the dress she wore before following Rhea toward the head office.
She had decided to be braver today, wearing a straight beige dress from the other side of her closet—the one Daniel never approved of.
As she stared at Rhea's trim form moving fluidly in front of her, also in a straight dress, she became subconsciously aware of how her own figure looked from behind.
At the door, Rhea accessed the room first with her staff card.
Daniel's voice over the intercom signaled them to enter.
Tension hung thick as Maria's eyes found Miles first, sitting in the main chair behind the central table.
His black suit was sharp, the light blue shirt beneath, casually unbuttoned at the collar, as always.
Maria quickly averted her eyes, meeting Daniel's irritated gaze as he assessed her from one of the guest chairs across the central table.
"We'll be having a mini presentation," Rhea began, speaking to Maria. "To split tasks concerning the new project amongst ourselves. Go have a seat next to Mr. Daniel and I'll begin explaining."
"Okay. Do I need to get anything, or…?" Maria asked.
"No," Rhea replied, still acting high and mighty. "A detailed email will follow with our finalized decisions."
"Ok," Maria replied before she approached the table.
As she pulled the second chair across to sit, she glimpsed Mile's gaze on her thighs before she met Daniel's irritated stare again.
"Good morning, Mr. Miles," Maria said, keeping her gaze on Daniel, purposely not looking at him.
No response.
Perhaps he hadn't heard, but she was loud enough.
Maria finally faced Miles, holding his gaze nervously. "Goodmorning, Mr. Miles."
A smirk spread across his face, amusement flickering in his eyes.
"Good Morning Maria."
She deserved it, especially after her deliberate teasing on the balcony at the fundraiser.
The click of Rhea's heels brought Maria's focus back.
Rhea stood confidently, holding a tablet, professional and composed, unaffected by complicated romances with her superiors.
"Welcome Maria," Rhea began, tapping the tablet screen. "The manufacturing process of the project has begun. Our ingredients are approved by the Health of Public Consumption Agency(HPCA).
By this time next week, we begin project practicals: the launch at Minchstone High School which would include promotions, shirt souvenirs, and a public speech to the students.
"The next step is supervising distribution starters after the launch, which I strongly advise should be done by the project lead to ensure competency in both quantity and quality. This should be done at least twice a week.
"The third is monitoring progress according to the target list, which is yet to be provided by Maria."
Rhea's glance landed on Maria, the unspoken weight of responsibility clear.
"The target list will soon be ready," Maria said.
"I suggest you be quicker with it," Rhea pressed, professionalism cloaking her criticism. "Given it's your project—you must take it more seriously than anyone else."
"Or hand it over to a more competent staff," Daniel interjected with a scoff.
"Keep talking Rhea," Miles said, cutting through the tension.
Anger simmered in Maria.
This time, she held Daniel's gaze without hiding the intensity in her stare.
She hated him, hated his guts for complicating her life with the charade of a relationship.
"Yes, sir," Rhea continued. "The board of directors will attend the launch and Maria will supervise the preparations.
I'll handle paperwork and send invitations to distinguished guests whose attendance will increase visibility.
I'm certain Mr. Daniel will assist by the weekend, Maria."
Daniel rolled his eyes, scoffing again at her unflinching gaze.
"I'll supervise it on my own," Maria said, her voice calm, measured as Daniel met her gaze again, surprised but lethal. It only fueled her rebellion. "Cloning ideas and calling the original incompetent should happen within company walls, not where it's practical."
Daniel's eyes darkened, but this time Maria found herself amused rather than intimidated.
She didn't care for it this time, he couldn't dismiss her easily—not when the company had already invested in her project.
"Conclusion, Rhea?" Miles asked.
Maria's gaze returned to Rhea, whose composure masked subtle surprise.
"Um…for now, Maria supervises the crew this Saturday to prepare an eye-catching launch.
The event planner details will be included in the mail that will be sent out to her later today.
"Maria, you would need to be accompanied by a superior—either Mr. Pete or Mr. Daniel, since your original position is an Aide." Rhea finished, purposely adding the last statement in Daniel's favor.
"I'll join the supervision," Miles said.
Maria tightened her grip on her phone—she didn't want him to.
Whatever was going on between them had to stop and supervising the project together was definitely not going to help.
"B…but sir—" Rhea began.
"We wouldn't want personal problems interfering with work." Miles interrupted. "I'll be supervising Maria. Any personal issues can be resolved outside work."
Maria's teeth clenched internally.
How dare Miles? He seemed so sure, authoritative, dismissing her issues with Daniel as if he wasn't part of them.
She turned boldly.
"I'm fine supervising with Daniel, sir. I wouldn't want the workload to be too much on you."
"I insist," Miles replied, enjoying the reaction she was trying to hide. "After all, I brought the project plan on board for execution. Daniel will handle VIP invites personally and board updates. "
Maria exhaled internally, hiding her frustration.
She looked at Rhea, who also hid hers.
"Yes sir," Rhea said tightly, returning her gaze to the tablet. "Supervision of the preparation and post-launch will be carried out by Mr. Miles and Maria.
Mr. Daniel would handle important invite proceedings, board updates, and employee contributions. I will handle important paperwork."
"Good," Miles said. "That'll be all."
"Maria," Daniel called.
She raised her face to meet his. "Let's have lunch together at the cafeteria."
Maria nodded, noting the threat behind his invitation.
She stood, turning to Miles with a smile, hating how she enjoyed his gaze dropping to her hips.
"Thank you for the opportunity again, Mr. Miles."
Then she walked out, this time more confident than before, hips swaying, ignoring Daniel's judgmental gaze and secretly basking in Miles' stare before shutting the door behind her.
**
Daniel seethed in his seat, in a private corner of the company cafeteria, ignoring the meal cooling before him.
How dare Maria humiliate him in front of Miles and Rhea?
His thoughts lingered on the dress she'd worn, further infuriating him.
Didn't she know women like her weren't supposed to flaunt themselves while thinking they could make decisions for the company?
Daniel hoped that Miles would at least use her skills and body till she would be tossed out of the company.
Even if at the moment, Miles confused him, assisting her with the project and recognition.
The sound of the door pushed open, and Maria stepped in.
Her presence alone made the disgust in his chest grow.
She sat across from him, avoiding his gaze.
"I brought you into this company," Daniel began, his anger slipping through every word. "And this is how you repay me?"
Maria sighed, still avoiding his eyes, looking out the window instead.
"I only acted cause I was overstimulated, Daniel. It was a rough weekend, and to be fair what you said wasn't nice either. It wouldn't kill you to acknowledge my efforts and contributions to the firm once in a while."
Daniel scoffed, convinced she thought she was important because he had "stooped low" to date a person like her.
"Dating you has been nothing but problems. Out here, dressed like a whore, thinking you can make decisions for this company."
Maria finally met his gaze. "I am not a whore, and it is not my fault that I'm created this way. If you can't stand me anymore, then let's break it off—be just employer and employee."
"You really think you had a chance in this company if I didn't want to fuck you first?" Daniel laughed, enjoying the sudden flinch her body betrayed.
"You think you're special when I could toss you back into the streets in a blink."
This time she didn't reply and Daniel grinned, savoring his dominance over her silenced state.
"This project might be giving you delusions," he continued. "But like it or not, I hold the reins. I decide how high you fly. I decide what you wear, where you go, because without me you are nothing. Let that sink in."
Maria lowered her gaze, clearly defeated, her lower lip trembling slightly.
Daniel felt satiated. Next time she would know better.
"I…I need to use the restroom." She said, voice wavering as she stood.
"Your car has been seized," Daniel added. "That'll be punishment for a month for your audacity."
She nodded silently, walking out the door as Daniel watched, hating the involuntary sway of her body in the dress.
He couldn't believe women like Maria thought they deserved more than being a man's plaything.
And this charade with the project? He would prove to Miles and the company soon enough that it was a mistake.