Chương 31: Chapter 31
Steven dropped Maya off earlier near the airport. About fifteen minutes later, Maya walked in, feeling a bit out of place as she noticed everyone in casual clothing. It was unusual for her to see her colleagues dressed so informally. Levi's squad, minus Levi himself, were already at the entrance, attracting everyone's attention. Their tall and handsome appearances often caused such a stir, a fact that sometimes felt like a burden. Maya found herself staring at Steven, her eyes tracing the lines of his strong, muscular frame without her realizing it. Memories of that night in the kitchen when she burned her finger tip flooded back, making her cheeks turn crimson. She was lost in a swirl of embarrassment until Nira's voice brought her back to reality.
"Hey, Maya? Why are you so red? Are you sick or something?"
"N... no, I'm okay," Maya stammered.
"Really? It doesn't seem so," Nira persisted, eyeing her friend suspiciously.
"Don't worry. I'm really okay," Maya insisted.
A sudden push from behind made Maya stumble, breaking her focus on Nira. She turned to see Tiffany brushing past her.
"Oops, sorry. I didn't see you," Tiffany said nonchalantly before walking away. Nira clenched her fist, ready to confront Tiffany, but Maya quickly intervened.
"It's okay. Leave it," Maya said, her voice calm but firm.
"What's wrong with her, seriously!" Nira grumbled, her irritation clear.
As they stood there, Levi finally arrived. The crowd's attention shifted to him, and the girls started to swoon over how handsome he looked in his white sweatshirt and white trouser, hair down reaching his eyebrows, looking like a college student. Levi's presence was magnetic. Maya glanced in his direction, and their eyes met. Nira noticed and pinched her arm playfully, causing Maya to quickly look away, flustered.
Once on the plane, Maya found her seat next to Ethan. He greeted her with a wide grin.
"Oh, Larson," he said, his tone teasing.
She gave him a soft smile and a polite nod. After a few minutes, Ethan swapped seats with Steven. Maya watched Steven approach, her heart rate quickening.
"Hi," Steven said, settling into the seat next to her.
"You?" Maya asked, trying to keep her voice steady.
"Ethan wanted to sit there," Steven explained with a shrug.
"Did I do something bad? Oh God, or do I smell bad?" Maya started sniffing herself, her anxiety bubbling over.
"Not at all. I don't know why, he just wanted to sit there," Steven replied with a reassuring smile.
"Who was with you?" Maya asked, her curiosity getting the better of her.
"Spencer," Steven answered.
"Oh," Maya said, her expression falling slightly.
Unbeknownst to her, Maya had already started to develop feelings for Steven. She felt jealous every time she saw him with Tiffany. Her heart raced whenever he was near, a feeling she recognized but was afraid to embrace. She questioned her own fears and wondered if she was being selfish for not allowing herself to trust and love again.
Upon arriving in Akita, they were greeted by a snowy landscape. The cold was sharper than in Washington. Maya shivered, blowing on her hands to warm them, realizing too late that she hadn't worn gloves. As she walked towards the bus, Ken Ian approached her, holding out a pair of gloves.
"Take them. You're cold, aren't you?" Ken said, his tone gentle.
"Eh? No, it's okay, Ken. Thanks" Maya responded, surprised.
Ken didn't wait for her to respond. He took her hand, slipped the gloves on, and then walked away without another word. His action left Maya slightly flustered. Steven, who was approaching the bus, saw the entire exchange. His eyes darkened slightly, but he masked it with a casual grin as he sauntered over to Maya. "You got people to look after you," he said, stopping right in front of her.
Maya furrowed her brows, her initial confusion quickly giving way to a playful challenge. "Is that my fault?"
Steven's smile widened, a teasing glint in his eyes. "I'm jealous. That's your fault."
Maya's cheeks flushed again, this time from the intensity of Steven's gaze rather than the cold. She tried to hide her reaction by looking down at her gloves, fiddling with the fingers. "Jealous, huh? That's new."
Steven stepped closer, closing the gap between them. The proximity made her heart race, and she felt an electric tension in the air. "Yeah, it is," he admitted softly, his voice lower and more serious. "I don't like seeing other guys take care of you."
Maya looked up, meeting his eyes. The vulnerability in his gaze was unexpected, and it made her heart flutter. "Maybe you should step up then," she said, her voice a mix of teasing and earnest.
Steven chuckled, the sound warm and rich. "Is that a challenge, Maya?"
She smiled, feeling more confident. "Maybe it is."
He reached out and gently brushed a strand of hair from her face, tucking it behind her ear. The simple touch sent a shiver down her spine. "Challenge accepted," he murmured, his eyes locked onto hers.
For a moment, they stood there, lost in each other's gaze. The world around them seemed to fade away, leaving just the two of them in a bubble of shared emotions. The tension was palpable, a mix of unspoken words and potential.
The sound of the bus engine starting broke the spell. Steven stepped back, giving her space but still holding her gaze. Suddenly, Tiffany appeared and looped her arm through Steven's. He raised an eyebrow at her.
"What is this?" he asked, his voice cold.
"Just a gesture. We're not heads here, are we? Let's act like friends, maybe more than friends," Tiffany said, casting a sly glance at Maya, who scoffed and turned away as her name was called. She felt like throwing up at Tiffany's bad acting. Girls know Girls the best. As the department leader for the trip, she had to ensure everyone was accounted for.
Steven sighed and pulled his arm away from Tiffany. "Isn't this too much? Do not ever touch me," he said before boarding the bus, glancing back at Maya once more.
"Ms. Larson, here, sign this," Levi said, handing her a file. She nodded and signed as instructed.
"Do you like the place?" Levi asked.
"So far, yes, I do," Maya replied.
"I'm glad. Alright, let's get on the bus," Levi said.
"Are you getting on the same bus?" Maya asked, surprised.
"Yes, why not?"
"No, sorry, I thought the CEO…"
"Well, I know what you mean, but it's a trip. I'm equal to everyone here," Levi explained.
Maya noticed Tiffany sitting next to Steven, who was watching her with a look she couldn't quite decipher. Feeling self-conscious, she avoided his gaze and walked to the back of the bus, where she found no seats left except at the last row where some luggage are kept. Steven's eyes followed her, a mix of concern and longing evident in his expression. Both Levi and Tiffany noticed.
"Let's take a selfie," Tiffany suggested, trying to distract Steven.
"Why?" Steven asked, clearly uninterested and disturbed,
"Because it's my first trip from VISHO. Come on, don't be like this," Tiffany insisted.
Steven sighed and reluctantly agreed. Meanwhile, Maya and Levi found themselves squeezed into a small space at the back of the bus. It was uncomfortable, but they made do. Steven kept glancing back at them, a hint of jealousy in his eyes. As the bus jerked to a stop, Maya lost her balance and fell against Levi. He caught her, his arm providing a steady support. They remained in that position for the rest of the short ride, both feeling the awkwardness but saying nothing. Steven's gaze never left them, his feelings growing more complicated with each passing moment.
"Wow, this is a really nice hotel, Mr. Thompson," Nira said as they entered the lobby.
"Thanks, Nira. I tried to pick the best one. Btw everyone, gather around," Levi called out, clapping his hands to get everyone's attention.
"Leaders of each team, please stand here," he instructed. The team leaders, including Maya, stepped forward. "We've booked 67 rooms here. In each room, 2-3 persons can stay. I have already made a list of your roommates. I'll hand these to your leaders, so please cooperate and get along with everyone," Levi announced.
"Hi, we meet again," Ken said, standing next to Maya. She flinched at his sudden appearance.
"Oh, hi. You're a leader too," Maya responded, trying to hide her surprise.
"Yes, I ended up doing so. Let's help each other here, Maya," Ken said with a friendly smile.
"Sure," Maya replied, feeling a bit more at ease.
Maya was assigned a room with Nira and a senior manager from the Marketing department. The senior manager was kind and welcoming, making the transition smoother for Maya and Nira. Meanwhile, Steven, Levi, and Liam shared a room.
"Oh, you two?" Liam exclaimed as he entered the room and found Levi and Steven unpacking.
"Oh, you too!" they both said in unison.
Liam threw himself onto the bed with a loud sigh. "I'm sharing the room with two lovers then," he teased. Both Steven and Levi looked at each other, horrified at the implication. "Eww, what are you thinking, bro?" they yelled in unison.
"I didn't mean anything you're thinking. Alright, I'll go to the shower first," Liam said, laughing as he unpacked his luggage.
"Lovers?" Steven and Levi muttered, realizing what Liam actually meant. Levi chuckled, catching Steven's attention.
As the night settled in, Maya found herself thinking about Steven. His handsome face, his strong, muscular body, and the way he looked at her—all of it made her heart race. She knew she was in deep, but she wasn't sure if she was ready to take the plunge. She felt a mixture of excitement and fear. She didn't know what the future held, but the sexual tension between them was undeniable. She was falling for him, and the thought both thrilled and terrified her.
Meanwhile, Steven lay in his own bed, his thoughts consumed by Maya. He wanted to be close to her, to protect her, to be the one she turned to. But he knew he had to be patient, to let her come to him when she was ready.
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