Maria took a deep breath.
She didn’t have a choice. Refusing a private tea service wasn’t an option—not without breaking café protocol.
But she did have control over how she handled it.
Sayuri’s words echoed in her mind.
— “Break the illusion.”
Maria tightened her grip on the tea tray.
She would go in there, serve Hayato-sama, and make sure he lost interest in her.
With that resolve, she stepped into the VIP lounge.
The Private Tea Service
The moment she entered, Maria felt the atmosphere change.
The VIP lounge was dimly lit, quieter than the bustling café outside. It felt intimate, isolating.
And at the center of it all, seated in a plush leather chair, was Hayato-sama.
He looked completely at ease, his suit jacket draped over the back of his seat, his shirt slightly unbuttoned at the collar. One arm rested casually on the table, fingers tracing the rim of his empty teacup.
Waiting.
For her.
Maria swallowed and stepped forward.
— Your tea, goshujin-sama.
She placed the tray down carefully, making sure her hands didn’t tremble.
Hayato-sama didn’t respond immediately. Instead, he leaned back in his chair, watching her.
Studying her.
Maria forced a smile. She needed to break the illusion.
So she made her first move.
— I hope you don’t mind, goshujin-sama, but I may have added too much sugar.
She lied.
The tea was perfectly prepared, but if she was going to be annoying, she had to start small.
Hayato-sama arched an eyebrow.
— Too much sugar?
Maria nodded enthusiastically.
— Yes! I’ve been practicing, but I’m still new. Sometimes I get the measurements wrong! I hope it’s still drinkable.
She clasped her hands together in fake nervousness.
For a long moment, Hayato-sama didn’t say anything.
Then—
He smiled.
A slow, knowing smirk.
— I don’t mind sweet things.
Maria’s stomach dropped.
Damn it.
She had expected irritation. Annoyance. Anything but… this.
She cleared her throat.
— That’s good to hear! Oh, and one more thing—
Maria pretended to trip, bumping the table slightly so the tea cup wobbled.
Hayato-sama caught it effortlessly before it could spill.
Maria gasped.
— Oops! Silly me! she giggled, forcing a dumb expression. I can be so clumsy!
Hayato-sama set the cup down without breaking eye contact.
— Hmm. That’s new.
Maria froze.
— New? she repeated.
Hayato-sama leaned forward slightly, resting his chin on his hand.
— You weren’t like this before.
Maria’s blood ran cold.
He knew.
He saw through her act.
— Oh? I don’t know what you mean, goshujin-sama! I’m just a regular maid! Nothing special at all!
She overdid it, laughing a little too loudly.
Hayato-sama’s smirk widened.
— Interesting.
Maria felt sweat bead at her neck.
This wasn’t working.
She needed to make him bored, but instead—
She was making him even more interested.
Maria forced herself to remain calm.
She had to try something else.
— Well, I should get back to work! Enjoy your tea, goshujin-sama!
She moved to leave quickly, hoping to escape before he could say anything else.
But before she reached the door—
— Maria.
Her entire body stiffened.
Slowly, she turned back.
Hayato-sama was still seated, still relaxed—
But his eyes were sharp. Unreadable.
— I hope you won’t disappoint me next time.
Maria’s breath caught.
It wasn’t a threat.
But it felt like one.
She bowed quickly and escaped before her legs gave out beneath her.
Back in the Staff Room
Maria collapsed onto the bench, breathing heavily.
Mika peeked over at her.
— That bad, huh?
Maria buried her face in her hands.
— He saw right through me.
Mika sighed.
— Yeah, that sounds like Hayato-sama.
Maria gritted her teeth.
— Then what do I do now?
Mika thought for a moment before smirking.
— Maybe you should stop trying to push him away… and start playing a different game.
Maria froze.
— What do you mean?
Mika’s eyes gleamed with mischief.
— If he won’t get bored of you… maybe it’s time you turn the tables on him.
Maria’s heart pounded.
Was she really going to fight back?
Because one thing was certain—
Hayato-sama wasn’t going to stop.
To be continued …
