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Chapter 0265
Diana was trying to convince Matthew she was capable of handling the tasks required. She had to persuade him this was her last chance after a string of failed interviews. she didn’t succeed, she’d be in serious trouble, and her exchange program could be jeopardized.
“Mr. Rice, I know I’m not from this country, but I’m quick attentive, and a fast learner. I’ve been teaching myself Valentian, and I promise I won’t let you down.”
“Miss Mendez, I’d like to accept you, but my boss is particular. If you can’t communicate with him, how could you work with me? This role requires someone to handle pending matters with him.”
“Give me one week. I promise I won’t cause you any problems. Please!” Diana pleaded, her eyes almost begging.
Matthew let out a long sigh. He couldn’t bring himself to say no and ended up hiring her–but with a one–month probation.
Time flew by, and Diana had been there three months. She rarely interacted with that handsome but perpetually grumpy man everyone feared: her boss, Maximus Palmer.
One late night at the end of the month, Matthew had to leave for a business dinner, leaving Diana to sort through reports and separate documents into those that needed attention and those ready for archiving. It was a Friday, and she was exhausted and starving, having survived the day on nothing but coffee and water. She hoped the company driver would take her home soon, but he was running late.
Diana sat on the floor of Matthew’s office, surrounded by a chaotic spread of documents. To her, it was the best way to organize them. After all, it was 10:00 p.m. Who else could possibly be in the office at this hour?
Maximus, drained from his long day, had decided to skip the dinner and head home. On his way to the elevator, he noticed Matthew’s office light was still on. That struck himas odd. “If Matthew’s at the dinner, no one should be in his office,” he thought.
Curious, he opened the door abruptly and found Diana sitting on the floor, sipping coffee. Startled, she scrambled to stand up as quickly as possible, though it wasn’t easy in a skirt–making the situation even more awkward.
“Mr. Palmer!” Diana exclaimed, her face pale with shock.
“What are you doing here?” Maximus asked sternly.
“Oh, I stayed back to help Matthew with some pending work. But the driver is running late and hasn’t arrived yet,” she replied honestly.
It was obvious the young woman was exhausted. Then, as if the universe wanted to embarrass her further, her stomach growled loudly. This was her first time exchanging more than two words with her intimidating boss, and of course, it had to happen like this. Her cheeks flushed red as she lowered her gaze.
“It’s too late for you to still be here. Have you eaten anything?” Maximus asked, his tone serious.
“Don’t worry! The driver should be here any minute. I’ll eat at home–I didn’t have time today,” she said, trying to sound casual.
“Let’s go. I’ll take you. Matthew told me you live in Terravita. It’s on my way home,” Maximus said, nodding toward the door.
“No, no, I couldn’t possibly! I can’t let you do that,” Diana stammered, alarmed.
The thought of riding with the CEO made her anxious. It might lead to misunderstandings, and that was the last
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thing she wanted. Besides, the driver should be arriving sod
“I’m not repeating myself,” Maximus said firmly.
“Okay… Let me grab my bag,” she muttered nervously.
For some reason, Maximus felt a strange sense of familiarity with her. He couldn’t place it, but something about Diana reminded him of someone.
Halfway through the drive, Diana didn’t know what to say. She wasn’t sure if she should speak or stay silent, so she focused on the city lights outside the window.
“Your name is Diana, correct?” Maximus broke the silence
Diana snapped out of her thoughts and turned to him. “Yes Mr. Palmer.”
“Where are you from?”
“I’m here on exchange. I’m from Hesperia ”
Ar that, something clicked for Maximus. The young woman reminded him of someone–Mary, the worian he hadn’t seen in 15 years.
“A Hesperian, huh? What brings you all the way here? You’re too young to be wandering around this country alone.”
“Well, I came for the exchange program, and now I work for you. I’ve got about six months left before I retur home. But with everything I’ve learned from Mr. Ricci, I’m more than satisfied,” she replied sincerely.
“Wow. Didn’t expect such honesty. So, do you enjoy working late into the night without even having time to eat?” “It’s part of the job! I guess it’s not always like this right? she said hopefully.
Suddenly, Maximus pulled up to a bar in Terravita. Diana’s eyes widened in surprise. Clutching her bag nervously, she said, “Um… what’s going on?”
“Come on, get out,” Maximus said, not waiting for her reply.
Diana hesitated but eventually stepped out of the car, glancing both ways down the street. Her apartment was about a 15–minute walk from there, so she figured she could just head home on foot.
“This way,” Maximus said, motioning toward a pub door.
She felt a pang of panic. What was he thinking? “No, really if you need to go, I can walk home.”
“You haven’t eaten, and Matthew kept you working late. I Haven’t eaten either. They make great burgers and beer here. Let’s go,” Maximus said, softening his tone slightly.
Diana didn’t know how to refuse, so she ended up following him inside. The bar was lively, and it was clear Maximus was a regular–everyone seemed to know him.
They sat at the bar, ordered food, and for the first time, Diana had a massive beer with her boss, the head of the entire company. At first, she didn’t know how to talk to him, but after the beer, her nerves eased, and she chatted with him like they were old friends.
The night turned out to be pleasant. They exchanged stories, laughed, and discovered shared tastes in food, drinks, music, and even books and movies. For Maximus, it was the first time in years he’d spent an evening like this–free of complications, just enjoying good conversation.
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When he dropped Diana off at her place, he realized how much he’d needed a night like that. Returning to his own house, which was more like a cold, lifeless space, he ran into Laura, his 13–year–old daughter. She was grinning from ear to eat, surprised by his rare presence at home.
“Why are you up so late?” he asked her with an unusual softness.
“I was just getting some water. It’s warm, and I got thirsty, Laura said shyly.
“Alright, don’t stay up too late,” Maximus said with a small smile.
Laura, stunned, replied, “Okay, Dad!” and watched him walk away, her heart nearly bursting with happiness.
Maximus took a shower and went to bed. For the first time in years, he felt a small flicker of warmth in his otherwise cold and hardened heart.
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