Chapter 5 The Meeting

• Someone ordered Joseph to look after the hotel’s main hall, away from Maya. This was a great frustration for his plans. He had to learn how to set the tables and serve the hotel guests. It was a difficult and tiring task that made him think he wouldn’t be able to find out more about Maya if he was so busy.
• The clock seemed to drag on. The aroma of roasting chicken filled the room. Time seemed not to pass. Perhaps Maya simply wasn’t worth the effort, but as soon as he remembered what she had done when she rejected him, Joseph filled his chest with courage. Maya had to pay for ruining his reputation.
• He sneaked into the men’s room, taking care that his supervisor didn’t see him, and called his lawyer, asking him to meet him immediately in the hotel dining room. When the man arrived, he was wearing a bathing suit. This left Joseph disappointed.
• “While I’m working tirelessly, are you having fun in the hotel pool, Bryan?”
• “It was your idea to work at the hotel.” Bryan looked away, amused by the situation. Besides, I’m a guest, and it’s a hot day outside.”
• “I don’t care about your adventures at the hotel,” Joseph huffed.” I just want you to find a way to get me out of here and into a position where I’m next to Maya Consuelo.”
• “But, sir,” Bryan stammered, “what you’re asking for is a tough mission. How can I convince the hotel to change your position?”
• “Do it one way,” Joseph frowned at him, “otherwise, I’ll terminate your employment.”
• Immediately, Joseph turned his back and went back to work, leaving Bryan in a very awkward situation. The lawyer became agitated, and the possibility of losing that job didn’t help him to think straight. He couldn’t use the truth to get what Joseph was asking for. Revealing that the heir to the Lee family was there, working as a simple employee, would ruin his plans, and Joseph valued his identity.
• Without waiting for things to get worse, Bryan had an idea and finally left the salon to do what Joseph had ordered.
• Hours later, Joseph left his office and went to his hotel room. He couldn’t talk to Bryan, and the situation worsened dramatically. He couldn’t bear to stay in that place for long, especially knowing that Maya remained so close without him being able to approach her.
• The next day, the hotel manager appeared in the main hall and asked him to come to his office. There was no fear or embarrassment on Joseph’s handsome face. After all, he had to constantly remind himself that he was the heir to it all, one of the richest men in the country. He hated taking orders or feeling subordinate to anyone. If that man decided to terminate his employment, Joseph would think of another way to carry out his plan.
• “Mr. Joseph,” the man said, as he sat down in his swivel chair, interlacing his fingers and looking at him with authority. I’m going to transfer you to another sector.”
• “What?” His face took on an expression of surprise. ”Have I done something wrong for you to transfer me?”
• “Not really,” the manager’s lips tightened. This is confidential information. Unfortunately, I can’t tell you the reason for the decision.”
• Joseph hated all that bureaucracy, but questioning the manager’s motives wouldn’t help him either. He curled his lips into a smile and thanked him. Bryan had succeeded in his mission, and now Joseph could get on with the plan. Finally, he wished that his lawyer hadn’t done something crazy just so he wouldn’t lose his job.
• The manager took him upstairs and introduced him to Simon. Joseph immediately rolled his eyes. He held in his anger when he was told that Simon would be his supervisor.
• Simon’s smile sent shivers down Joseph’s spine because he knew that Simon could no longer stand him. As soon as the manager turned his back, Simon put out all his smugness.
• “These are your working materials from now on,” Joseph stared at the bucket and sponge. ”Go to the men’s room and scrub the toilets.”
• Joseph grated his teeth as his eyes flashed with burning anger. Soon, Simon put his hands on him and pushed him so that Joseph would immediately do as he ordered. Just as Joseph was ready to retort, he saw Maya across the corridor. Now he was where he wanted to be, and that fact alone made Joseph forget the rest.
• He cleaned the toilets that morning, and thereafter, he saw Maya constantly. Joseph knew he couldn’t be too quick and sought Maya out for a chat. Because, after all, she would want to talk to a stranger. Joseph just watched her every day and was always nearby so that Maya could see him.
• He always sat at a certain distance from her in the cafeteria and never dared approach her. Joseph acted this way for several days. Occasionally, they exchanged glances, and Maya soon realized that her co-worker’s presence made her curious.
• “You realize that the new employee hasn’t made any new friends,” Maya commented to Simon.
• When he looked up at Joseph, he noticed that he was staring at Maya non-stop.
• “You shouldn’t go near him,” said Simon. ”He’s overbearing; he’s always challenging me. That’s why he’s alone. No one could bear to be friends with a man like him.”
• “Don’t you think you’re overreacting?” Maya looked into her friend’s eyes and saw a spark of anger in his eyes. ”You hardly know him.”
• “Just listen to what I’m saying, Maya, for your own good.”
• Then he stood up and walked away from the table. When she heard this, she considered taking his advice seriously. After all, if it hadn’t been for Sophie and Simon, her life would have been sad. Maya owed them an enormous debt of gratitude for helping her get out of a forced marriage.
• I'm still thinking about it. She stood up and, as she turned around, bumped into Joseph. His powerful arms wrapped around her waist, holding her in place, as Maya’s feet slipped, throwing her body backwards.
• Maya’s eyes closed in shock, and when she opened them again, she saw the man’s chiseled face just a few centimeters from her own. She held her breath, barely able to move as she realized what had just happened.
• “Looks like I saved you from an accident.” Joseph’s deep voice invaded her ears as he set her on her feet and finally pulled away.
• Maya’s eyes blinked as she stared at Joseph. He smiled at her.
• “I’m Joseph,” he held out the hand he had once held to greet her.
• “Maya Consuelo,” she said in a slow, soft voice, certain that she had never seen such a handsome man in her entire life.
• On the other side of the cafeteria, Simon was watching everything uneasily, and before the conversation between Maya and Joseph could be prolonged, he stepped between the two of them and ordered Joseph to go to the changing room so they could talk.