Nova Celestia…
Well, that's not even her real name. It's Maya Singhania. When I saw it on her CV, I got curious.
Why would someone change their real name? Within two hours, her entire life history was sitting in my inbox.
It would be a lie to say she doesn't intrigue me.
Born in Mumbai, into a normal middle-class family, Maya had strict parents who allowed freedom but within limits.
She was always a good student, class topper, extroverted, loud, traits not always well-received.
Somehow, she ended up in Singapore's best business school, moved to London for her internship at a top consulting firm while doing her Masters at Imperial College.
She had a serious three-year relationship with a British guy, moved to work at the same company as him, but nearly three years ago, they broke up.
Reason? He cheated on her with his best friend.
It's hard to imagine this woman, unyielding, smart, sharp-tongued, beautiful in a way that's not really a beauty standard but a standard within itself, was hurt by someone so ordinary.
If that guy was at least as handsome as Julian, if not like me, I would have judged her a little less.
If it were me, I would have started going to church every day just to thank God for giving such a woman in my life as my life partner.
"What are you looking at?" she asks, tone clipped and skeptical. The wind flutters her blazer; her face looks pale and tired.
I don't want to name what this does to me.
"You are interesting," I say, taking a slow drag of my cigarette.
She narrows her eyes and scoffs, defiant. "Interesting, or just the new prey you want to hunt?"
I blink, suddenly aware of everything, the heat in my body, the strange flips in my stomach.
Prey and hunter… She isn't wrong.
That's what I am. That's what I'm supposed to be: a hunter, a predator.
But with her, it's not about hunting. It's about how she makes me feel alive.
I don't correct her. I grin, my tone dropping an octave, loud enough to echo in the empty rooftop space. "You think you're worthy of being my prey?"
Her eyes widen, jaw clenches, fists trembling, but she's smart. She won't fire back so recklessly just yet.
"Let's turn it around," she steps closer, then another step. Seven inches. My breath catches.
Her perfume, warm, sweet, like a patisserie on a Paris morning, makes my throat tighten.
"What makes you think you're worthy of being my predator, Mr. Erikson?"
And she smiles. Cold, confident, chilling. A soft tone layered with steel.
My heart races; I clench the burning side of my cigarette, but the tension doesn't dissipate even if my flesh burns raw.
"You are confident, aren't you?" My voice comes out rougher than intended.
She keeps her gaze, measuring me. "If knowing my worth makes me confident," she closes the distance another inch, perfume clouding my thoughts, "then yes, I am confident."
My lips twitch. I can't hold back a small smile breaking through my usual smugness.
She's smart and she knows it.
But the fact that she cannot hide it, it's the main problem.
Her eyes flutter; she takes two steps back. My smile grows.
"Nova Celestia," I drop my cigarette, "tell me something."
Her guards go up immediately. "What?"
"Aren't you scared? How you're going to compete against your teammates?"
Her eyelashes flutter like I've questioned her life itself. Losing is not even an option in her mind.
Arrogance? Yes.
Pride? Absolutely.
I know the four she's up against—
Eric, who overwhelms rivals with data until they give up.
Luke, who manipulates twisted routes to get what he wants, no matter who it involves.
Elena, the siren behind ten masks, who knows how to stroke egos and win.
Mark… is just Mark, a true Weber. Still an associate, despite his brilliance and connections.
I wouldn't be surprised if he is downplaying his power to achieve something bigger.
I lean back against the cold wall, blood heating, ignoring the chill around me.
"Let me give you advice, as your superior," I say. Her eyes narrow, chin lifted, challenging the world.
"Don't try to outshine your teammates, just yet."
Her lips part, fury written on her face. My smugness fades slightly watching her eyes holding back her tears.
Regret pricks me, though I didn't mean to hurt her. I just… don't want her to face the wolves unprepared.
"You're saying, just because I'm new, I should tone it down?" Her voice is low, guttural, her shoulders trembling with rage.
"Isn't that given?" I keep calm, composed, masking the storm inside.
"Given? What given?" Her voice rises, knuckles white. "That just because I joined yesterday, haven't been in the main deals, I should stay still?"
Her struggle makes my chest tighten. I want to reach for her, to say I didn't mean it, but I don't.
"I'm advising you what you should already know, Nova." I stand straight, towering over her. Eyes cold, merciless.
"In this company, it doesn't matter how good you are. You need to know when and where to strike."
Her beautiful brown eyes burn with raw emotion, despise, hatred—directed at me. I shouldn't care, but I do.
I want her to shine, to realize her potential. But she is vulnerable to her emotions.
She's young, hot-blooded, and hot-tempered. Seasoned players know a woman with untamed fire is easily manipulated.
People will abuse her rawness, honesty, and hurt her. Just like her bastard ex did.
The pain she is feeling right now, pain of being questioned and being told to tone down her fire, is still better than the heartbreak of being abandoned after her usefulness is gone.
I dip my head slightly, closing the distance. "Nova Celestia, don't be arrogant enough to believe you're the best here. Arrogance and pride will take you out faster than brilliance and calmness."
She inhales sharply, jaw clenching. Still, she hasn't lashed out. She knows, deep down, I'm right.
"What do you want me to do, then?" Her voice shakes, controlled rage betraying her.
"Step back. Keep this attitude locked away for now," my gaze never wavers. Hands itch to pull her closer, but I don't.
Her chest rises and falls, eyes red at the corners. She's listening. That's enough.
"You don't need to be the smartest, richest, or have the family name to make one, Nova Celestia," I keep my tone low, emotionless, hiding the storm inside.
"Watch. Learn. Play the long game. The faster you shine, the faster you fall if you aren't careful."
She inhales, looks away, sharpness barely concealed.
She hasn't mastered manipulation yet. Her difference makes her open to threats and vipers who will poison her soul with a smile.
And… I've decided. I will train her. Nova Celestia, aka Maya Singhania—she's going to be my first card on the table.
"You're the worst person I've ever met," she whispers.
I smile slightly, leaning close to her ear. "Good. At least you're smart enough not to romanticize me like most women."
She turns her head at me sharply, viciously. "Even if the world ceases to have no man, I still won't romanticize you, Aaron."
Her words are sharp enough to hurt, yet not cruel enough to make me bleed.
"Not that I want you to." I lie.
I want her to… just not yet.