Maria walked out of the VIP lounge, her breath measured, her footsteps steady.
She had kept her composure.
She had held her ground.
But as soon as the door clicked shut behind her, she felt it—
The weight of his words sinking into her skin.
“From now on, Maria… you belong to me.”
A chill ran down her spine.
Had she just made a mistake she couldn’t undo?
Mika’s Reaction
The moment Maria entered the staff room, Mika was waiting.
Arms crossed, eyes sharp.
— “So? How did it go?”
Maria hesitated.
Because she didn’t know how to answer.
It wasn’t bad.
It wasn’t good.
It was just… dangerous.
Mika narrowed her eyes.
— “Maria. Talk to me.”
Maria swallowed, then whispered:
— “He said I belong to him.”
Mika stiffened.
For the first time, her expression dropped the usual playfulness.
— “That’s not normal.”
Maria knew that.
And yet—she had let it happen.
Mika leaned in, lowering her voice.
— “Are you okay?”
Maria nodded.
But deep down?
She wasn’t sure.
The Shift in Power
The next day, Maria felt the change immediately.
The moment she stepped into the Sweet Blossom Café, the air felt… different.
More than usual, the other maids glanced at her.
Some whispered.
Some stared.
Some looked… jealous.
And Maria knew why.
Because now, everyone knew.
She wasn’t just another maid anymore.
She was his maid.
The Next Encounter
Maria felt it before she saw him.
That presence.
That weight.
That unshakable confidence.
She turned her head—
And there he was.
Hayato-sama.
Seated at his usual table.
But today?
He didn’t wait for her.
He didn’t call for her.
He just tilted his head slightly—and waited.
A silent command.
Maria inhaled slowly.
She had made a decision.
Now she had to face the consequences.
So she walked forward.
Steady. Calm. Controlled.
And when she reached his table, she bowed slightly.
— “Good afternoon, goshujin-sama.”
Hayato-sama’s lips curled into a slow smirk.
— “Maria.”
Her stomach tightened.
Because that single word?
It didn’t sound like a greeting.
It sounded like a promise.
The Test Begins
Maria placed his usual tea on the table, her hands perfectly steady.
She wouldn’t let him see her hesitate.
But Hayato-sama didn’t touch his drink.
Instead, he spoke—his voice low and smooth.
— “I wonder, Maria… how far are you willing to go?”
Maria’s pulse spiked.
She kept her expression neutral.
— “I don’t understand, goshujin-sama.”
He chuckled softly.
— “Oh, I think you do.”
Maria forced a polite smile.
— “Then perhaps you should enlighten me.”
Hayato-sama leaned forward slightly, resting his chin on his hand.
— “If you truly belong to me, Maria… then prove it.”
Maria’s breath caught.
Her mind raced.
What was he asking?
What did he want?
She met his gaze—held it.
Then, in the calmest voice she could manage, she asked:
— “And how exactly do you expect me to do that, goshujin-sama?”
A pause.
Then, Hayato-sama’s smirk widened.
— “Let’s find out together.”
Maria’s stomach twisted.
Because no matter how much she tried to prepare—
She knew.
This was only the beginning.
To be continued…
