Maria’s heart pounded as she stepped back into the café. The air felt heavier, as if something had shifted the moment she refused Hayato-sama’s request.
Would he be angry? Would he see her refusal as a challenge?
She tried to push the thought aside and focus on her work, but as soon as she turned around—
He was still there.
Seated at his usual table, Hayato-sama was watching her. His dark eyes unreadable, his fingers lazily tracing the rim of his coffee cup.
Maria quickly looked away, pretending not to notice.
— You really did it, huh?
Maria flinched as Mika appeared beside her, smirking.
— Did what? Maria asked, keeping her voice low.
Mika leaned in.
— Turned down Hayato-sama.
Maria’s stomach tightened.
— How do you even know that?
Mika giggled.
— Because nothing stays secret for long around here. Especially when it involves him.
Maria swallowed.
— What’s going to happen now?
Mika shrugged.
— That depends on him.
Maria felt a chill.
— And if he doesn’t take no for an answer?
Mika hesitated for the first time, her usual teasing expression faltering.
— Then you have a problem.
Before Maria could respond, Sayuri suddenly walked past, tossing her a sharp glance.
— You really are clueless, aren’t you? she muttered.
Maria frowned.
— What’s that supposed to mean?
Sayuri stopped and turned to face her, arms crossed.
— You think saying no means you’re safe? You just made yourself more interesting to him.
Maria’s chest tightened.
— So what am I supposed to do?
Sayuri sighed.
— You have two choices.
Maria gulped.
— Which are?
Sayuri’s eyes darkened.
— You can either play his game… or make him regret choosing you.
Maria’s breath hitched.
— What do you mean?
Sayuri leaned closer.
— Simple. If you make yourself boring, weak, or annoying, he’ll move on. But if you keep reacting like this— she gestured to Maria’s nervous expression —he’ll keep pushing. Because he enjoys the chase.
Maria felt her pulse race.
Could she really outsmart someone like Hayato-sama?
— It won’t be easy, Sayuri continued. He’s patient. He’s powerful. And he’s used to getting what he wants.
Maria swallowed hard.
And now, for the first time… she was the thing he wanted.
As she hesitantly turned back toward his table, her breath caught.
Hayato-sama was still watching her.
But this time, when their eyes met—
He smiled.
And Maria knew.
This wasn’t over. Not even close.
To be continued …
