Maria tried to steady her breath as she returned behind the counter. Her hands were trembling. She wasn’t sure if it was from frustration, nerves, or something else entirely.
Hayato-sama’s words lingered in her mind.
— “Sooner or later… you’ll come around.”
A shiver ran down her spine. What did he mean by that? Was it a warning? A challenge? A game?
— Maria, you okay?
Mika’s voice pulled her back to reality.
— I’m fine, Maria said quickly, though her voice wasn’t as firm as she wanted it to be.
Mika gave her a knowing smile.
— You’re thinking about him, aren’t you?
Maria flinched.
— I-I’m not!
Mika laughed.
— Relax, I’m just teasing. But seriously, Hayato-sama isn’t like the other customers.
Maria hesitated.
— What do you mean?
Mika leaned on the counter, lowering her voice.
— He’s not just rich—he’s powerful. The kind of man who always gets what he wants. And for some reason, he wants you.
Maria felt her stomach twist.
— But why?
Mika shrugged.
— Who knows? Maybe he likes your innocence. Maybe he likes watching you squirm. Or… maybe it’s something else.
Maria didn’t like the sound of that.
— So what do I do?
Mika smirked.
— That’s up to you. You can play along, keep your distance, or… give in.
Maria’s cheeks flushed.
— I’m not going to “give in” to anything!
— Good. Then stay on your guard.
Before Maria could respond, Madam Yuki suddenly appeared, her presence commanding as always.
— Maria, I need to speak with you.
Maria’s heart skipped a beat. Had she done something wrong?
She followed Madam Yuki into the back office, where the manager closed the door behind them.
— You’ve been attracting attention, Maria.
Maria gulped.
— I… I didn’t mean to.
— That’s not the issue. Madam Yuki’s gaze was sharp. Hayato-sama has requested you as his exclusive maid.
Maria froze.
— W-What?!
Madam Yuki folded her arms.
— He’s willing to pay a considerable amount for the privilege.
Maria’s blood ran cold.
— But… I don’t want to.
For the first time, she saw a flicker of surprise in Madam Yuki’s expression.
— Are you sure? This could be an opportunity for you. Hayato-sama is a very influential customer. Keeping him satisfied benefits the café… and you.
Maria shook her head firmly.
— I just want to do my job like everyone else.
A moment of silence passed. Then, to Maria’s surprise, Madam Yuki smiled.
— Interesting.
Maria blinked.
— I… I can refuse, right?
— Of course, Madam Yuki said smoothly. But that doesn’t mean he’ll stop trying.
Maria felt a lump in her throat.
— What happens now?
Madam Yuki stepped closer, her voice low.
— That depends on you, Maria. If you truly don’t want his attention… you’ll have to find a way to make him lose interest.
Maria swallowed hard.
That was easier said than done.
As she stepped back onto the café floor, her mind swirled with thoughts.
Hayato-sama was persistent. He was powerful. And he wasn’t used to being denied.
And now that she had refused him…
Would that make him want her even more?
To be continued …
