"I still remember the route and address…I could send them to you."
Jenny's voice rang in Maria's mind where she sat on the longest sofa in her living room opposite the television, sipping wine in a cream lightweight-fur robe.
She leaned against the armrest with her elbows, her smooth caramel legs bent beneath her in a relaxed sitting position.
Her hair remained wrapped in a tight pink bonnet, still steaming from her late shower, as she stared absentmindedly at the television playing Saturday afternoon soap operas, the audio little more than a faint murmur in her ears.
She debated heavily within herself whether to visit Miles' home or not.
It was obvious that wench, Rhea, had planned things so she couldn't join the visit.
Who knew? Even Daniel too.
She inhaled with her eyes slightly closed, the scent of vanilla lingering throughout the room, doing nothing to soothe the storm of thoughts swarming inside her.
Shifting slightly, her gaze drifted to the transparent glass of lemon juice resting on the center table, nearly melted ice cubes floating lazily across its pale-green surface.
Her choices were beginning to close in.
Daniel's control was worsening.
He had officially introduced Kelvin in the office as her driver.
That bloody bastard.
Daniel couldn't even see the subtle surprise on his employee's face as he spoke to her with such disrespect that she had nearly quit her job on the spot and burnt her ambition to hell.
But she couldn't.
She couldn't let Daniel win.
And the obvious way out stared right back at her.
Miles.
Daniel had insisted she work primarily with him instead of Miles, using their relationship as a front before the board.
Maria frowned.
He was such an unprofessional dumbard.
She physically shuddered at the thought of being a primary part of such an embarrassing meeting.
That could actually be the one thing that would make Miles stop bothering her.
Wasn't that what she wanted?
Maria sighed and reached for her drink, lifting the glass from the center table before taking another sip.
Jenny had mentioned Miles had a nurse staying with him, which meant the chances of being alone with him might be non-existent.
She lowered the glass onto her thighs, cradling it with both hands as she stared deeper into its contents.
It was best to be careful and avoid going to see him for now.
But that meant that embarrassing board meeting Daniel wanted would take place.
Jenny had said it herself.
This was her one opportunity to shine, and with Daniel involved, it would never happen.
She had no choice. She couldn't just walk away.
News of her incompetence would spread and ruin her professional reputation anyway.
Especially at such a prestigious company as GOATASTE.
Maria hurriedly returned the glass to the center table, shaking away her thoughts before reaching for the phone lying beyond it.
She glanced at the dark screen in her palm, which immediately lit up to reveal her regular wallpaper.
No notifications.
No text or call from Grace yet from the airport.
She was happy and anxious that her sister was coming.
At least someone familiar would make all of this worth overlooking.
Maria smiled faintly as she unlocked her phone.
Someone that was family.
Her mind flashed to the hard, smooth feel of Miles' palm against her thigh as his hand had caressed beneath her dress while they shared the kiss she had started inside his car.
Her body felt eager to experience him deeper than the depth of the waters they had been testing.
Despite Daniel nearly assaulting her that night, Maria bit her lip as she tried not to imagine what could have happened if Miles had come into her home that same night.
Her phone buzzed in her hand, cutting her thoughts short as Grace's name flashed across the screen.
She answered immediately and placed the phone to her ear.
"Gracey?" Maria said.
"We just got in," Grace's usual indifferent voice came through the phone.
"Oh," Maria replied. "Thought we agreed you'd call me when you got to our city's airport?"
"I arrived there late and couldn't call before takeoff," Grace explained lazily.
Maria sighed, rubbing her temples with her free hand.
Now she would have to rush to pick Grace up from the very distant airport, not to mention the exhausting weekend traffic that would most likely clog the roads on a Saturday evening.
"It's fine," Maria said. "Please go wait for me inside the terminal and be careful with strangers."
"Got it!" Grace interrupted with a yawn. "I'll be waiting."
A small pang settled in Maria's chest.
Grace could have at least apologized.
"Okay," Maria replied. "I'll be with you…"
The dial tone beeped.
Grace had already ended the call.
Maria slowly lowered the phone from her ear, frowning.
She really needed to caution Grace about having such a careless attitude toward plans.
Then she unfolded her legs and stood from the sofa, phone still in hand.
She felt almost furious as she headed toward the staircase and began climbing.
She had to warn Grace about doing things so impulsively.
Nevertheless, Maria was glad she was here.
**
Dahlia tried her best to listen to the conflicting emotions gathering inside her.
The logical part of her mind urged her not to keep going into the hotel where Daniel had suggested they meet instead of his apartment.
But she was already in the elevator, her reflection of herself in a green flared dress staring back at her from the mirrored walls.
Green had always suited her fair skin. It was her favorite color.
She loved it most on plants.
A small smile tugged at her lips.
Daniel had said he wanted to apologize, but she knew what an apology in a hotel truly meant.
The worst part was that she wanted what it meant.
The elevator doors finally opened onto the destination floor, revealing a quiet hallway lined with thick brown doors, each fitted with a golden peephole at its center.
A deep-blue plush, rugged carpet stretched the length of the corridor, softening every sound.
Dahlia stepped out.
Her heels fell almost silent as they sank gently into the soft rug.
Her eyes caught the first room door, marked with the bold black number 201 on a small square plaque against the pristine white glossy wall.
Daniel's room was 205.
The last door before the hallway opened into the central landing that led to the emergency staircase.
She swallowed, her fingers tightening around the leather handle of her handbag before she began walking toward his room.
She had never wanted to act on the attraction she felt toward Daniel.
Knowing how much of a player he was, she had vowed to stay away.
She reached his door and paused, standing before it with quiet skepticism.
Even now, Daniel had a girlfriend.
And here she was, fully aware of it, yet still choosing to indulge him.
One hand slipped from her bag and slowly rose toward the boxed golden doorbell button beside the doorframe.
She had spent most of her life being obedient and devoted to her profession as one of Mapla's renowned environmentalists.
It wouldn't hurt to let loose a little…
Her finger paused.
She inhaled once more.
She was just being a good friend to him.
And no one had to know they were becoming involved too.
Her finger finally pressed the doorbell and a faint chime echoed from the other side.
Barely had her hand fallen away before the soft click of a keycard lock followed.
Then the door opened.
Daniel was already standing on the other side, dressed in a black robe, wearing an innocent smile that lit his eyes.
To Dahlia, it looked genuine.
Like he actually liked her.
"You take my breath away," he said before stepping aside, gesturing toward the elegant interior of the hotel room.
Dahlia's eyes immediately drifted to the neatly made bed, dressed in light cream sheets and a coffee-colored blanket, illuminated by the golden mini chandelier hanging from the ornate plaster ceiling.
Then she looked back at Daniel.
Only then did she finally step inside.
"I'm so glad you came," he said as she walked past him.
A gentle click from the closing door followed soon after.
**
"Maybe a tour wouldn't be so bad," Grace said with a cheeky smile, seated in the front passenger seat of Maria's car, dressed in Jean shorts and a pink-and-blue double tank top.
Her brown hair was lazily styled into an imperfect bun beside Kelvin, who wore a black polo shirt and jeans as he drove.
The differences between the two sisters were obvious.
Grace was noticeably much slimmer, in stark contrast to Maria's curvier figure.
The resemblance between them was visible mainly in their faces.
"See how those fancy routes I took convinced you?" Kelvin said playfully, subtly flicking his gaze to the rearview mirror to glance at Maria in the backseat, who was staring out the raised window of the moving car.
Her arms were folded across her black maxi dress patterned with light pink flowers, the annoyance clear on her face.
Maria had wanted to drive herself, but Kelvin had insisted he was under orders to chauffeur her.
Daniel, he claimed, wouldn't have it any other way if she intended to leave the house.
What was he? A bodyguard now?
Maria's frown deepened.
At least he was good company—especially for Grace, who was usually so withdrawn around most people, including Maria.
They had been talking ever since leaving the airport, and honestly, it was refreshing to hear Grace's voice in such a lively tone.
"I'll take you on a tour myself," Maria interjected into their chatter, trying but failing—to hide the obvious annoyance in her tone.
"I don't mind Kelvin taking me," Grace responded quickly.
"Well I do," Maria snapped. What exactly was wrong with Grace and her ability to perceive cues?
Kelvin kept his eyes on the road, wisely choosing to say nothing as Maria was clearly on edge at the moment.
Grace scoffed quietly and adjusted herself in her seat with a frown.
A quiet ride followed, one that left Maria feeling guilty, until they arrived at her home inside the estate.
Kelvin parked in the garage and immediately unlocked the doors.
"I'll bring the luggage in, ma'am," he said.
Grace's frown remained firm as she unclasped her seatbelt, opened the door without another word, and walked out of the garage.
Maria simply nodded.
"Thank you," she replied and grabbed her phone and house keys before stepping out after Grace.
Grace stood pouting before the glossy cream-colored front door, both hands clasped around the straps of her pink-and-black glittery backpack.
Her feet, clad in black socks and white training sneakers, remained planted as she stared intently at the door while Maria approached.
Maria's guilt deepened as she inserted the key into the keyhole and pushed the door open before stepping aside for Grace to enter first.
Grace sighed audibly and walked in, still avoiding Maria's gaze.
Maria followed, leaving the door slightly ajar so Kelvin could enter easily with the luggage.
Grace glanced around as she wandered farther into the living room, the awe in her eyes gradually softening her frown as she took in the spaciousness of Maria's home.
"I'm glad you like it," Maria said with a smile.
Grace quickly caught herself and looked away again.
"I have to use the bathroom," she said, "I'm itchy."
Maria's smile faltered.
"Okay. The guest room door is just ahead, before the stairs, or…you could use my room instead."
Grace sighed before finally meeting Maria's gaze with a smile that never quite reached her eyes.
"I'd rather not, I prefer my own space."
"The guest room it is," Maria said with quiet resignation.
She pointed toward the guest room door.
"You go ahead, I need to lock the door after Kelvin."
"Mmm," Grace murmured before turning towards the guest room.
Maria rubbed her temples once again.
Perhaps it was simply the stress that was making Grace act this way.
The sound of the front door pushing open behind her made Maria turn.
Kelvin's slightly bulky frame squeezed through the doorway, dragging a large pink piece of luggage decorated with an animated mouse print behind him while carrying a heavy black duffel bag in his other hand, the strain visible in his arm.
Maria approached him.
"You can leave them here. Thank you for helping."
Kelvin glanced at the guest room, whose door remained slightly open after Grace had gone inside.
He lifted the duffel bag slightly.
"I don't mind taking everything all the way in, ma'am. This one's pretty heavy."
Maria considered it for a moment before sighing and stepping aside.
She didn't have the strength to carry it herself, neither did Grace, and she certainly wasn't in the mood to drag it across the living room.
Kelvin nodded and walked past her toward the guest room while Maria quietly followed behind him.