To the Love of My Life

As soon as Steve Burton sat down, Maya called the waiter over and handed him the menu. She took it herself and handed it to Steve. Her body must have been sprayed with perfume; a rich scent filled Steve’s nostrils with every movement she made.

Steve didn’t stand on ceremony, reaching out to take the menu Maya handed him. He flipped a page and saw mocha coffee listed, so he ordered one directly and pushed the menu over to Maya.

Maya did not look at the menu, instead telling the waiter directly, “Same as him.”

Steve raised his eyelids to glance at Maya but did not speak.

The waiter smiled, took the menus, and left.

In less than five minutes, the coffee was brought to the table by the waiter. Maya added sweetener and creamer before taking a sip. Then she looked at Steve and made casual conversation, “Happy New Year. Although it’s six days late, I’m sure it’s not the latest one.”

Steve, with his eyes downcast, stirred the coffee in front of him. Hearing Maya’s words, he reached out to take a sip of his coffee but stopped when he realized that she had ordered the same drink as him. He put the cup back on the table, paused for about five seconds, and leaned back into his chair with his long legs crossed. He replied, somewhat perfunctorily, “Not late.”

Only three words, lacking the proper exchange of “Happy New Year” pleasantries in response. Maya’s expression showed a hint of disappointment. After hesitating for a moment, she forced a bright-eyed, white-toothed smile and spoke again, “Mr. Burton, was there anything you wanted to discuss when you asked me out?”

Steve gently scratched the table with his fingertip and asked Maya, “How much is your current salary?”

Maya blinked, not understanding the meaning behind Steve’s question, but still honestly answered, “US$3,400.”

“$3,400… A bit underpaid…” Steve said and then pondered for a moment before looking up at Maya, “Seems like I underestimated your work abilities.”

Again, Maya blinked, still not understanding the meaning behind Steve’s words.

“I didn’t expect you to become so competent after job-hopping,” Steve said, uncrossing his legs and leaning slightly forward to look Maya in the eyes. He went straight to the point, “How about $5,500? Would you consider a position with this salary?”

Maya blinked her eyes incredulously once more before taking a sip of her coffee. Then she smiled and asked, “Mr. Burton, are you trying to get me to job-hop again?”

Steve shrugged his shoulders, not saying anything.

Maya met Steve’s eyes and continued, “Then, Mr. Burton, what position do you have in mind for me? It can’t be that you expect to pay me $5,500 and have me go back to being your secretary, right?”

Steve chuckled lightly, “Indeed, being a secretary would be a waste of your talents.”

After a pause, Steve said, “How does Market Department’s Manager at Gregory’s Enterprises sound?”