Maria sat in the staff room, her hands clenched into fists.
Mika’s words echoed in her head.
— “He’s closing in on you, Maria.”
She knew it.
She could feel it.
And the worst part?
She didn’t know if she wanted to run…
Or if she had already lost.
The Uneasy Night
Maria left the Sweet Blossom Café late that evening, the streets quiet under the glow of the streetlights.
But even as she walked home—she felt it.
That lingering sensation.
Like she was being watched.
She turned, but the street was empty.
Still…
The feeling didn’t go away.
She quickened her pace, her breath coming faster.
By the time she reached her apartment, her hands were shaking.
She locked the door behind her and leaned against it, heart pounding.
She was being paranoid.
Right?
She tried to shake the feeling off.
But when she checked her phone—
There was a message.
From the same unknown number.
Her stomach twisted.
Unknown:
“Sweet dreams, Maria.”
Maria’s breath hitched.
Her fingers trembled over the screen.
She didn’t reply.
She couldn’t.
Because no matter how much she tried to convince herself otherwise—
She knew.
She wasn’t imagining it.
Hayato-sama was watching her.
And now?
He was done waiting.
The Next Day – A New Rule
When Maria arrived at work the next day, she immediately went to find Madam Yuki.
Her chest was tight, her mind racing.
She had to do something.
She had to set boundaries.
But when she finally stood in front of her, the words wouldn’t come.
Because what could she even say?
“One of our most important VIPs is stalking me?”
“I think he knows where I live?”
“I’m scared, but I don’t know if I want to stop this?”
Maria hesitated too long.
And in that silence—
Madam Yuki simply glanced at her and said:
— “Hayato-sama has requested you as his exclusive maid. Again.”
Maria’s blood ran cold.
Her lips parted, but no words came out.
Madam Yuki watched her carefully.
— “I assume you’ll refuse again?”
Maria’s throat was dry.
She should say yes.
She should walk away.
But for some reason…
She didn’t.
Her voice came out in a whisper.
— “What if I say yes?”
Madam Yuki raised an eyebrow, but her face remained calm.
— “Then things will change, Maria. Are you ready for that?”
Maria didn’t know.
But one thing was certain.
No matter what she chose—
There was no going back.
To be continued …
