Miles used the iron rod gently to push the little golf ball, which rolled straight through the rich green grass into the hole.
Daniel and the other men who had come for their traditional Sunday outing cheered, while he smiled proudly, adjusting his sunglasses to shield his face from the sun.
"Great shot, son," Mr. Genova's voice came next as he stood beside Miles, also in white tees and sunglasses, but wearing a cap to cover his subtly balding head.
"Thanks," Miles replied.
"Let's see briefly on the patio," Mr. Genova suggested, already turning toward the clubhouse.
Miles followed as they entered the golf cart that drove them to the glass building at the far end of the field.
It was a perfect Sunday to end the weekend, and for the first time, Miles was excited to have a tangible reason to stay in Mapla.
His mind flashed, without warning, to the fleshy weight and softness of Maria's breasts and her lust-filled eyes.
The question he'd asked was intentional—he wasn't sure how much longer he could hold back.
They reached the clubhouse, climbing the stairs to the patio that stretched along its edge, paved in warm sandstone tiles that glinted softly in the afternoon sun.
Wrought-iron railings lined the perimeter, overlooking the perfectly manicured fairways and sparkling water fountain below.
Mr. Genova sank into one of the beige, deep-cushioned chairs arranged in small clusters around low glass tables.
Miles took the seat opposite him.
A waiter appeared immediately, placing two glasses of citrus cocktails over ice before them.
"How has work been?" Mr. Genova said before taking a sip.
"Good," Miles replied, inwardly wishing he could go continue playing golf with the others.
It had been a little relieving to concentrate on something other than work…and Maria.
Mr. Genova dropped his drink, his gaze sharpened. "Maria is one dedicated staff, isn't she?"
Miles froze for a heartbeat, then recovered.
"Yeah…she's great." He sipped his drink.
"Miles," Mr. Genova said, voice steady but edged with years of experience, "you have so many looking up to you. This situation…shouldn't define you."
Miles exhaled, rubbing his temples. "I appreciate her mind, that's all. She's indirectly my employee as well."
"I knew you as you grew into a man, son—how a woman like Maria affects you." Mr. Genova's frustration at getting Miles to speak was evident in the wrinkles on his forehead.
"Like I said, Dad. It's just work."
The breeze carried the aroma of barbecue from the kitchen below.
Silence stretched between them.
Mr. Genova picked up his phone, scrolling through it before handing it to Miles. "Here."
Miles hesitated slightly before taking the phone.
When his eyes met the screen, his jaw clenched.
A video played—him behind Maria out on the balcony that night. His back, then her hand on his neck, their kiss.
"It cost me nearly four million not to let this reach the press," Mr. Genova continued calmly. "I kept it only in case you denied it.
Otherwise, your mother would have exploded…and Maria would've paid too."
Miles sank back, heart pounding, guilt twisting every muscle.
So much for a relaxing Sunday.
"This was contained because of my connections with the museum's sponsors," Mr. Genova leaned forward. "Let this happen again and it's a full-blown scandal.
If you care for the company…and Maria…you'll stop this. She's Daniel's, for God sake."
Miles swallowed, now brooding where he sat. Mad at himself for forgetting there were cameras at the Museum.
"It was all me, Dad…" he muttered.
"No, no," Mr. Genova cut him off. "I'm not blaming you.
Consensual or not, it has to stop.
The project you both are working on is meaningful to the company—it doesn't deserve scandalous association."
Miles nodded.
Public exposure could hurt him, yes—but Maria? It would be devastating for her.
Mr. Genova reached for his phone. "I'll delete this. Enough, Miles.
A CEO should rise above these…distractions.
If you want a girl like Maria, there are plenty to choose from."
"Yeah, Dad," Miles replied—just before he jolted from the sudden touch of Daniel's hand on his shoulder.
"Haha," Daniel laughed, sinking into the chair beside him. "Got you, big bro."
Miles met his father's gaze again. The stern warning lingered, and Daniel's unannounced presence felt like a symbol of the problems that could come the same way too.
**
Maria's phone rang on her study table.
She was focused, jotting down market observations and trends to fit into the target list.
She groaned at the sound, reclining in her chair and stretching her waist.
Picking up the phone, she saw her mom's name on the screen.
She picked.
"Hello, Mom," she said, glancing at the elegant roofing of her bedroom as she lay back.
"My baby," her mom's voice came through, the tone she always used when asking favors.
Maria sighed, taking off her reading glasses. "Yes, Mom. I'm listening."
She loved her mom, but sometimes the favors were just…weird.
Turning some of them down always made her feel bad, but necessary not to indulge because her mother would get comfortable with situations like that.
"Do you remember Mrs. George?" her mom began.
"Yes, I do," Maria said.
Of course, she remembered—the mother of the girl who had bullied her from primary to middle school until their mothers decided on different high schools.
"Well, so you definitely remember her daughter then.
Crystal."
Maria rolled her eyes. "Mom, I remember. Now, what is it?"
"Baby," her mom crooned, "Crystal stays in Mapla too.
Her mom told me she had a fire outbreak and needs a place to lay low for a week to conveniently move to another apartment."
"Mom," Maria murmured, frustrated. Why couldn't her mom just keep her life private from her friends?
"I know I'm asking too much, baby. I'm sorry, but please, for old times' sake.
I'm sure Crystal is very responsible now—her mom tells me she's a Lead reporter at one of Mapla's prestigious news houses."
Maria air-quotes around "Lead reporter." Typical.
It seemed like a befitting profession for someone like Crystal who enjoyed spreading unpleasant information about others including her own friends.
"Mom, I'm not sure about this," Maria said.
She wasn't willing to entertain drama besides what she already had with Daniel and the company…and Miles.
"I promise, baby," her mom pressed. "I would take full responsibility if anything goes wrong.
Crystal lost a lot and could really use some support from even old friends at the moment."
Maria gave a resigned sigh. "Fine. But she should call me first.
I'd need to speak to estate security to let her in."
"Thank you, my smart pumpkin," her mom gushed.
Maria smiled, influenced by her mom's joy.
She had always tried to take care of her, so she wouldn't feel lonely especially after they'd lost her father to an accident years ago.
Maria thought briefly of her little sister, Grace. "How's Grace?"
"Oh, she's alright," her mom replied. "Though she complains about school economizing their subjects, saying it limits the knowledge they're getting.
I told her to call you, but she says she doesn't want to bother you.""
"That's fine, Mom," Maria said. She thought of the cost of a better school for Grace's graduation exams.
"I'll call her."
"Ok, my baby. I'll be off to sit back in the yard, I know I interrupted you working as usual. I love you and take care of yourself for me." Her mom said.
"I love you too mom," Maria replied. "And don't forget to tell Crystal to call me first."
"Ok, pumpkin." She said and hung up.
Maria sighed as she dropped her phone, now staring at the stack of papers in front of her.
A message from Daniel popped up on screen, but she quickly turned it off, not in the mood.
She leaned forward, thinking of his elder brother.
Maria had decided to purposely avoid all family functions and social gatherings with them to stay clear of Miles.
It was the least she could do after the incident at the fundraiser.
Her mind drifted to Rhea, his secretary.
Maria scoffed—she was really pretty, high-class too. Her conscience reminded her that this was part of the reason she had tested limits with Miles.
She shook her head, forcing her attention back to work.
**
"This is delicious, Christian," Crystal said, lounging on a daybed by the poolside in her turquoise bikini and sunshades.
Christian, in a vintage shirt and shorts, brought her pineapple juice over ice.
"Yes, ma'am. Here's your drink."
She took it, brushing back her luxurious black hair heavy with expensive hair extensions as she drank.
Christian sat on the daybed next to hers, his curly brown hair rustling in the afternoon breeze.
He was one of the new wave interns, overly dedicated to proving himself to the company, which was free labor for Crystal, since she had yet to get a personal assistant.
"Didn't you say she was your friend, Ma?" Christian asked, causing Crystal to pause and turn sharply.
"This is work, Christian," she snapped. "You have to be tough with your heart if you're going to be a successful reporter in the future."
"Sorry, ma," Christian said, shifting uncomfortably. "Will you be needing anything while you're at her place?"
"No, for now," Crystal said. Reclining, she stole a glance at the sun. "I'll call you. For now, I want to savor this. Scandals are the next best thing to reality news, especially from a company like GOATASTE."
Her mind recalled the anonymous tip she'd received about the CEO's involvement with a staff member in Mapla, while GOATASTE's headquarters was in Jellas.
She smiled, remembering her mom had said Maria worked there.
Using the information, she had created a situation to get close enough for a little loose blabbing from Maria.
Her chances felt low at first—Maria wasn't the type to gossip, always the Miss Goody-Shoes type.
But Crystal had a plan and she was certain it would work.