Secretly Yours - Wanda Maximoff x reader

Chapter 13: A Pull

Working with Maximoff sucked.

I thought we were supposed to be a team, but it was like she couldn't even be in the same room as me anymore. She hardly looked at me or acknowledged my existence—unless it was to moan at me about something. The only exception, of course, was when she'd order me to get her a coffee or complete meaningless tasks that seemed to have no point at all. I was being sidelined, and I had no idea why.

After being banished from her office for the second time in a day, I decided to join Kate for one of our impromptu "coffee dates." It was on the walk back that I spotted those stunning green eyes among a rack of magazines. The picture managed to capture Maximoff's signature scowl and intense gaze; not to mention the fact she was wearing a suit. It was enough to stop me in my tracks.

"For such an awful woman, she's surprisingly attractive," Kate said, turning her head to look at the magazine from another angle.

I hummed in response, unable to look away from my boss's likeness. She was right, but there was something so haunting about that. Maximoff was undeniably the most beautiful person I had ever set my eyes on, but she was also so much more than that. Her looks were a front for what really mattered. She was incredibly perceptive and way more intelligent than anyone assumed. She was easily underestimated, and thats why she was powerful.

I'm not sure what possessed me to do it, but I bought the magazine. I felt a tug in my stomach at the thought leaving it there, like I'd be doing the redhead some kind of injustice.

She was being unnecessarily hard on me, but I knew that there had to be a reason for it, and I was going to figure it out. I hoped a small gift might help kickstart my investigation.

"Are you really going to give that to her?" Kate asked as we ascended up to the top floor in the elevator.

I gripped the coffee tightly, my fingers tingling as they pressed against the warm cup. "Sure. Maybe she'll take it as a peace offering."

The brunette raised an eyebrow,  but I shrugged her off. I'd seen other articles in Maximoff's office so I figured it was something she'd want to keep.

Kate escorted me to the CEO's door, then patted me on the back, wishing me luck. I was certainly going to need that—and more.

"Come in," Wanda called out to me, using the same monotone voice I was regrettably getting used to.

I pushed open the door with her permission and stepped into the cool room. It closed behind me with a click, vacuuming me into the middle of four silent walls.

Maximoff looked up at me with disapproval after I didn't make a move to speak. She set her pen down with a sigh.

"Do you want something?"

"No, I-I got you something," I said, stepping forward to slip the magazine and coffee onto her desk. She frowned at the items in front of her, and I gulped. I could instantly tell that I'd messed up when her expression turned dark. She eyed the magazine with disgust before flicking through a few pages, presumably to the article about her.

My skin exploded in goosebumps, and I instinctively took a step back. I was just coming up with an escape plan when she rose from her chair, snatching up the magazine and striding over to me. I backed up as far as I could go, hitting the door with a thud as she pushed the paper against my chest.

The only sound cutting through the silence was the loud pounding of my heart. I couldn't breathe. We were so close I could see the gold flecks in her eyes and feel the warmth of her breath. It was both terrifying and incredibly electrifying.

"What were you thinking?" Her voice was low and piercing. I wasn't entirely convinced my legs wouldn't give out at any second, so I pressed myself flatter against the door.

"I wasn't."

She nodded and hummed softly. It was enough to make me squirm, and with no way of getting further from her, I was forced to feel her skin against mine.

"I should take you off the case, punish you for being so unprofessional," she said, and I almost rolled my eyes. I was uncomfortable and I definitely didn't want to lose my job, but I wasn't going to let her blow this out of proportion.

"For giving you a magazine?"

Maximoff laughed. It was cold and nothing like the soft giggles I'd usually managed to get out of her.

"You're a fucking idiot," she sneered, shoving the magazine into my hands and gesturing for me to have a look. Her words stung, and I almost refused to open it in protest—but a flash of hurt crossing Maximoff's eyes forced me to investigate.

What I had assumed was an article commending Wanda on her incredible feats as a lawyer, and the multitudes she was doing for the company, was actually a gossip piece about how she'd got the job in the first place.

"Read it to me," she ordered.

So I did, my throat dry as I scanned the words in front of me.

"A powerful CEO suddenly turning ill, his successors dying mysteriously—is this a coincidence or something darker? Wanda Maximoff certainly seems desirable at a glance, but her looks are only hiding the murderer within. Police are investigating... I mean this is a bunch of bullshit! You know that," I interrupted myself, refusing to read any more. Guilt made my neck flush, and I almost reached out to comfort her as an apology. I thought better of it.

She shook her head and snatched the magazine back, refusing to look me in the eyes.

"I'm sorry, I had no idea—"

"Is this really what you think of me?"

My eyes met hers and I melted. Gone was the stoic woman I'd been seeing of late, this was the Wanda I knew.

"No! No of course not."

I felt awful. I never wanted to go poking around in her past. There were things she was keeping from me, but I figured it was for good reason.

"Then why did you buy it?"

Her question caught me off guard. I froze, trying to think of a reasonable excuse and coming up with nothing. It wasn't like I could tell her I'd felt a pull from it, could I?

"Honestly, I-I just thought you looked hot."

Her eyes widened, and for a second I could swear her cheeks darkened, but she bowed her head and looked away. Collecting herself before she turned back.

"Get out."

"What?"

She raised her voice and I flinched. "Get out!"

I didn't wait a second longer, scared she'd say something worse if I did. The door slammed shut behind me, a gust of wind ruffling my hair as I stood still.

I really was a fucking idiot.

Author's note:

Hey guys. I think this is the first author's note I've ever done, mostly because I don't want to break the flow of the story BUT I kinda have some exciting news to share!! I'm currently also writing a dystopian novel that I'd really love to get published, and I was wondering if I'd have your support with that? If you love The Hunger Games, Divergent and maze runner then I definitely think you'd be into it. Lmk and maybe I'll share more :)