**Chapter Six: A Dangerous Woman - Maya's POV** I stood there, utterly astonished. Nik’s unexpected gesture of consolation caught me off guard. I had braced myself for the usual dismissive attitude that players like him often unleashed on girls seeking emotional refuge. But to my surprise, he didn’t take advantage of the moment to try and kiss me as some might. There was an unexpected sincerity in his actions that I couldn’t quite place. “Give me a sec,” Nik muttered, his phone ringing sharply in the silence, prompting him to step aside, leaving me to my thoughts. As I gazed into the dark, starless sky, uncertainty knotted in my stomach. Was I really making the right decision? Plotting revenge against an ex who had treated me like trash seemed like a gamble — risky, potent with the potential for backfire. But then again, the fire of retribution was too intoxicating to resist. Suddenly, I heard footsteps approach and turned, only to collide yet again with Nik's solid chest. He looked at me, amusement dancing in his eyes, which only served to send a heated blush creeping up my neck. “What?” I managed to ask, trying to maintain an air of seriousness despite the internal fluttering he elicited. He exhaled deeply, glancing at me with an intensity that made the air around us crackle. “There’s been a big change of plans,” he declared, leaving my heart racing even faster. Uh-oh. This couldn't be good. “What?” I responded, my voice tinged with anxiety, revealing just how unsettled I felt. His gaze lingered on me, calculating, before he sighed again, clearly weighing his words. “Now you’re totally freaking me out,” I blurted out, not bothering to conceal my growing tension. “You don’t have to worry, Maya,” he replied, using that husky, seductive tone aimed at calming my nerves, even though my instincts were going haywire. I may not have known everything about him, but one thing was certain: he was fiercely protective of those he cared for. Whenever he stood near me, I felt shielded, cocooned in a bubble of safety that was both comforting and bewildering. “Alright,” I breathed out slowly, gathering my resolve. “What’s the change?” “Tina will be joining us shortly.” “What?!!” I squeaked, the shock evident in my voice, drawing sidelong glances from the guards stationed at the gate. I ignored them, my focus locked on Nik, processing the bomb he had just dropped. “But you said she wasn’t coming!” “Apparently, she had a change of mind,” he replied, and disappointment washed over me like icy water. “Apparently, it seems I’m not needed anymore,” I snapped back, barely able to believe I had just revealed my secret to him only moments ago. “No,” he said firmly, and I shot him a questioning look. Nik reached out and seized my arm, his grip firm yet gentle. I eyed him warily, uncertain what to expect. “No what?” I pressed, suspicion lacing my tone. “Your job isn’t done yet,” he clarified. “What job?” I asked, my brows knitting together in confusion, suspicious of his intentions. “A job that doesn’t require you to lie about your name, job, or personality. You just need to be yourself until the client is satisfied,” he explained, a mischievous glint in his eye. I raised an eyebrow, my curiosity piqued. “It isn’t illegal,” he added. I crossed my arms defiantly, trying to extract more information from him with my stern demeanor. “Seriously, what’s the job, Nik?” His playful grin widened. “What’s the fun in telling you now?” Reaching for my hand, he continued, “I’ll explain after dinner with my dad. Plus, we have a party to attend, don’t we?” He tossed that last bit my way, clearly expecting a response. Great, I was at his mercy again. “Fine,” I relented, unable to maintain my facade as a smile crept onto my face in response to his charming sheepish grin. My heart raced, and I grimaced inwardly. “Stop that,” I hissed, biting my lip to keep my composure. “Stop what?” he asked innocently, his boyish features almost too enchanting to resist. I turned my head away, attempting to shield myself from the effect he seemed to have on me. “Don’t deny it, Nik. You have this way of making that face that makes me want to fall for you,” I accused, barely believing the words tumbled from my mouth. Did I really just say that? “Really, Maya?” He wet his lips, locking his eyes on mine in a potent gaze. “So tell me, is it working?” I froze, caught off guard by his bold question, and took a step back in shock. But as I moved, he advanced, closing the gap between us. My retreat escalated into a hurried shuffle until suddenly, I stumbled, my foot caught in the dance of balance. Just as I teetered on the brink of disaster, a firm hand gripped my waist, preventing my fall. As I looked up, I saw his face was merely inches from mine, our lips tantalizingly close. My heart raced, a lump formed in my throat, and panic surged through me as Nik began to lean in. Was he really going to kiss me? What was happening? Was this a test? My mind screamed at me, panic rising – oh god, Maya, you’re totally screwed. “Nik?” A voice called from behind, breaking the tension like glass shattering. Thankfully, he stepped back, his manners grooming him well enough not to let me tumble to the ground. I straightened, a flurry of emotions coursing through me as I fought to collect myself, my cheeks burning with embarrassment. “Tina,” Nik greeted casually, taking her into his arms. Horror gripped me as I realized this was indeed the girl who had interrupted our moment, my heart sinking into the pit of my stomach. Tina – the girlfriend. The very thought churned my insides. How had I been so foolish? As my mind spiraled, I barely heard her voice ask, “Who is she?” Panic seized me at the prospect of being cast aside like a discarded plaything, just like Andrew had done. My thoughts swirled as I scrambled to consider an excuse, but before I could formulate one, I heard Nik's voice. “She’s my worker.” Dazzled, I stared at him, incredulous. Was he seriously referencing me as a worker to his girlfriend? You bring your worker to a family dinner? “What department?” Tina pried, her skepticism boiling over, and it was painfully obvious that she didn’t buy his story. Even a moron could see he was lying. I glared at Nik, stunned to see no shred of regret or remorse in his expression. Did he truly not care? The compassionate man I had come to know moments before felt like a distant figment of my imagination now. “Personal department,” he replied, and I felt the heat of Tina’s smoldering gaze bore into me like a knife. I wanted to scream that I was innocent! But it was painfully clear she wouldn’t believe me. Who could blame her? Why would anyone take the word of a girl caught inches away from her boyfriend’s lips? “Hi,” Tina said sweetly, completely catching me off guard with her sudden warmth. “I’m Tina, and you are?” My mind reeled as I blinked rapidly, trying to comprehend this drastic shift. One moment she seemed ready to pounce; the next, her demeanor shifted to one of cordiality. Instantly, I recognized the danger. A woman capable of masking her true emotions with such grace was not someone to be trifled with. “Maya,” I said, cautiously accepting her handshake and forcing a smile, praying my trepidation didn’t seep through. “You must be pretty close to Nik?” she asked, her eyes darting between us in a way that felt like a loaded question. Oh no, the test was on. “No,” I smiled tightly. “We just met today. He happens to be in good company,” I noted, forcing a chuckle, desperate to diffuse the tension hanging thick between us. “And you just became his worker automatically. A personal worker?” She pinned me with her gaze, one eyebrow raised challengingly, earning a glance from Nik that said he was growing weary of this probing. I had to hand it to Tina; her skills in interrogation were impressive. She’d make an excellent police officer if she ever decided to change careers. “Yeah,” I murmured, meeting her eye with a steely resolve. “It turned out that way,” I added, my voice steady despite the churning nerves within. Her smile belied the animosity wrapped up in the laughter of a cobra poised to strike. “Don’t we have dinner to go to?” Nik kindly interjected, redirecting Tina’s focus. She flashed him a grateful smile, murmuring “Shall we?” as her hand clutched his arm possessively, as if to declare to the world — to me — “He’s mine; go find your own.” If only things had turned out differently. I would have loved that entitlement too, but given that Nik was revealing himself as another jerk who might be cheating, the feeling fell flat. Stuck in the position of a third wheel, I felt utterly lost and more miserable than ever. In my distracted haze, I miscalculated my steps and tripped yet again. I braced myself for the inevitable fall, but instead, I felt arms catch me. “Whoa!” I breathed, my eyes wide as I found myself staring at a strikingly handsome face. His deep blue eyes shone brightly, framed by a chiseled jaw lined with the perfect amount of stubble. With perfectly sculpted features that seemed to belong in a magazine, I found myself utterly captivated. “You alright? You were about to fall,” he said, peering at me with genuine concern. “Um… yeah… I’m fine,” I stammered, desperately trying to conceal the blush creeping over my cheeks from the embarrassment of my clumsiness. This charming guy was definitely my type. “By the way, I’m Maya,” I said, extending my hand for a handshake. “Eden,” he replied, his hand enveloping mine warmth and comfort, his grin brightening his already radiant features. “You must be here for the family dinner?” he asked, shifting slightly as he tucked his hands into his pockets. “Yep, I guess so,” I replied, unconcerned about the dinner that now loomed ahead of me. “With a date?” he pressed, his anticipation evident. “Nope,” I answered, watching as a knowing smile danced at the corners of his lips. Suddenly, he declared, “Then that makes you my date.” Huh?