A Smile and a Chance

5 REBOUND GIRL

*UNEDITED

In times like this, why would you refuse a job that's been offered to you? Of course, Maia has a reason, but what? If she only prefers temp jobs and part-time jobs, then she's out of her mind. Could it be that she doesn't like the job at the laundry department? Then why would she even try to chase down the bus just to get to her job like what she did the last time? Could it be that she doesn't like the people she's working with?

There's only one way to find out.

It was almost nine in the evening when I reached The Reverie and I went straight to the laundry department and found Maia folding clean towels that she just pulled out of the industrial dryer. For a few minutes I stood there, unnoticed as everyone was busy but at the same time they were laughing at some joke someone must have told, except for Maia. There was a small smile that formed on her lips. It wasn't a full smile, but she didn't look like she was forced to smile either. It was just...there was something lacking in her smile.

I stood there observing her, until one employee noticed me and quietly told her co-workers, until everyone looked at my direction, except Maia, who was the last one to look at the doorway after she noticed how quiet everyone got.

I watched the small smile from her lips gradually disappear as I made my way to her. Of course there were audible whispers and the occasional giggles, but I didn't care.

"I need to talk to you, Maia." That one sentence alone was enough to make everyone incapable of speech in an instant. "Now, please?"

"Then talk." Maia's reply made everyone gasp in chorus and they all froze afterwards.

"In my office." Now it was Maia's turn to freeze on the spot as she probably realized what I meant when I said that. That look on her face that says 'he owns the place or his family does.'

"Why didn't you tell me you own this place too?"

"Correction, my dad does."

She thought for a few seconds before she reluctantly said yes and went with me.

Ever since I was little I wanted to know what the other person is thinking and now was the best time to have that wish granted. Although I can already do that with Ava, it was only because she is my twin sister. If I can only read Maia's mind I wouldn't need to ask her questions, I wouldn't be guessing what's running in her mind, I wouldn't be so intrigued by her and I wouldn't go crazy trying to get rid of thoughts of her plaguing my mind.

I opened the door to my office for her and she went in wordlessly.

"Why do we have to talk here?" she asked as I made my way to the window and I ignored her question.

"Why did you refuse the job offer, Maia?" I went straight to the point.

She looked surprised to hear that question, but then, the surprise turned to instant realization again.

"You had Mrs. Cochran offer me a job, didn't you? Why?" she didn't seem glad about it.

"Is it wrong to offer help to those who need it? Why did you refuse the job, Maia?"

"No," then she paused again, trying to think of what she would reply to my question.

"So, you would rather go to different part-time jobs and temp jobs than have a permanent one?" I moved in front of my table, closer to where Maia was and crossed my arms and looked directly into her green eyes.

"No." she looked away for a brief second before she spoke, as if gathering courage or something. I noticed there was a slight tinge of pink on her cheeks now – was she blushing? "I appreciate that you offered me a permanent job, but there are people who need it more than I do." I tilted my head, and waited for her to go on. "Please give the job to Alexa."