How could it be him? The man was slender and poised, his handsome features sharp and well-defined. His thin lips were pressed into a severe line, and an aura of cold indifference surrounded him. A chill shot through Maya Hayes, and she snapped her head down, her gaze fixed on the floor. Was it really him? The head interviewer was the man from three years ago. It was over. Maya’s mind raced. Even if it was him, she reasoned, she had just been a student then, younger and more naive. Today, she’d carefully applied professional makeup for the interview. He probably wouldn't recognize her. The thought calmed her slightly. Taking a steadying breath, Maya raised her head and walked into the room. The other interviewer glanced at the president beside him, saw that his expression was impassive, and straightened his posture. He cleared his throat, ready to begin the questions. "Miss Maya Hayes, please have a seat." "According to your resume, Miss Hayes, you took a one-year suspension from your studies. What were you doing during that time?" The interviewer was cut off by the president. A bead of cold sweat broke out on his brow as he looked uncertainly at his boss. That’s odd, he thought. The president hadn't asked a single question of the previous candidates. Why start now? That one-year suspension was when Maya had given birth to her children. Juggling everything had been too much, so she’d simply put her studies on hold. Did he know something? Maya wondered, her anxiety spiking. She looked at Damien Knight. His eyes were black, bottomless pools that threatened to swallow her whole. No, stay calm, she told herself. Don't give anything away. Maya took a deep, silent breath and forced the corners of her mouth into a practiced, professional smile. "I had some health issues at the time which required a minor operation. I chose to suspend my studies because I needed to rest, but it didn't affect my credits. I still graduated on schedule." Giving birth was a kind of surgery, after all. It wasn't a total lie. "Minor surgery?" Damien Knight’s cold eyebrows drew together, and his gaze turned glacial. "Are you married, Miss Hayes? When do you plan on having children? How many do you want?" Hearing this, Maya's pupils dilated, and her heart leaped into her throat. "I'm not married," she said, forcing her composure back into place. "And I don't plan on having children for at least five years. As for how many… that doesn't seem to have anything to do with the position I'm applying for, does it?" The interviewer beside him was also baffled. While it was common to discreetly inquire about a female employee’s marital status, asking how many children she planned to have was far too personal. Was the boss interested in this woman? Damien Knight didn't speak, just stared at Maya, his eyes sharp and probing, as if trying to see straight through her. After what felt like an eternity, he finally broke his gaze and stood up. The other interviewer scrambled to his feet as well. Damien walked around the table and stopped directly in front of Maya. He leaned down, and the subtle scent of vanilla drifted to her. His impossibly handsome face was suddenly inches from hers. For a moment, Maya was lost, pulled back into the hazy, tangled memories of that night three years ago—the press of skin, the shared heat, and this same face looming over her in the dark. "Of course, it does," he said, his voice low. "Too many children would limit the energy you could devote to your work. The front desk is a demanding position, after all." He straightened up. "Be here at ten o'clock tomorrow." By the time Maya processed his words, Damien Knight had already strode out of the conference room. A hot flush crept up her neck as she replayed her momentary lapse. Chagrin churned in her stomach. Just then, the other interviewer stepped forward, a wide smile on his face as he extended a hand. "Congratulations, Miss Hayes." "Thank you. I look forward to working with you," Maya replied politely. "You were personally selected by our president. If anything, I'm the one who should hope you'll put in a good word for me," the interviewer said, giving her a knowing look. Maya felt as if she'd been struck by lightning. She was speechless. Personally selected? President? That man was the president of Sterling Group?

Chapter 4: Their Shared Secret