Chapter 23 : Piled up

Congratulations to your team, Mara," Mr. Moon said as he made his way out of the room.

"Never thought a day like this would come," Eliana said. "Thank you so much, everyone needs someone like you to make dreams come true," she added.

"I am sure Kate is behind the sabotaging. She wanted us to lose so badly," Ciara said.

"That witch! I will make sure she pays for this," Eliana said through clenched teeth.

Mara's expression turned stern as she gazed at Eliana, then turned towards the door. "I thought your confidence was up there, Kate. Never thought you would stoop so low. Really low," Mara said, folding her arms.

"You think you're so much better than us, don't you? For all you know, your witchcraft is working," Kate sneered, her eyes flashing with resentment as she faced Mara.

"Oops, then I'm sure you need some of those powers for your team next time," Mara said, smiling. "We don't need to cheat or sabotage others to win. Our hard work and teamwork speak for themselves. You're just mad because your team's lack of skill and dedication can't keep up with us, and it's just so sad."

"Ugh, how dare you," Kate seethed, raising her hand to slap Mara. But Mara quickly caught it in mid-air. "Don't even try that with me again," Mara said firmly.

With annoyance in her eyes, Kate pulled her hand back. "I will make you pay," she said through gritted teeth, forming a fist before storming out of the room.

…................…

Some days later…

Sitting at his home desk, he stared blankly at the paper in front of him. His mind, however, was elsewhere. He couldn't shake off the image of Mara.

"Why can't I stop thinking about her?" he muttered to himself, rubbing his temples. He tried to focus on the case files, but his thoughts kept drifting back to her smile, her laughter...

He stood up in annoyance and paced around the room, trying to shake off the feelings.

"I am a professional, not some lovesick teenager," he scolded himself. But the more he tried to fight it, the more he realized he was losing the battle.

"Get me the ArkRoW files," Max barked, not even looking up from his phone as Mara entered his office.

"Yes, sir, right away," Mara said quickly, retrieving the report from the files and handing it to Max, who snatched it from her hands without a thank you.

"You call this a report?" he said, glaring at the document. "This is useless. You mean this is what you've been wasting time doing?" Max muttered.

"I apologize, sir. I will improve it," Mara said, her face flushing with anger, but she kept her tone professional.

"Improve it? You mean you will actually do your job for once?"

"Yes, sir, that's what I mean," Mara said, struggling to maintain her composure.

"Pathetic. Get out of my office and don't waste my time with your incompetence again," he snapped.

"Max, what's going on?" Mr. Moon said as he entered the office, noticing the tension. "You've been snapping at everyone all morning," he added, sighing and rubbing his temples.

"Don't tell me you are taking your anger out on her because of the deal," he added.

Congratulations to your team, Mara," Mr. Moon said as he made his way out of the room.

"I have a meeting in about 10 minutes. I'll see you tomorrow," Max said as he stood up. Without another word, he stormed out of the office, still fuming. His anger disperse when he saw Mara sitting alone in the corner, her eyes welling up as she stared into the thin air, shoving a bunch of chips into her mouth.

"Who does he think he is? Ugh, I hate this man," she muttered to herself. Distracted, she walked straight into the wall in front of her.

"You want to die," she uttered with her mouth full. Within a second, she hit the wall with her leg. "Oww," she winced in pain, clutching her leg as she hobbled on it.

Max's expression softened as he took a step towards her, but then his pride kicked in. He stopped midway, turned around, and walked away. "Don't be ridiculous, Max. You're not going to baby her," he thought to himself.

Mara looked up and saw Max retreating. She looked at him with a smirk on her face. "I am going to finish you," she muttered, has she fiercely looks at him.

…....…

"Didn't think I would see you here, Mr. Max Warren III," a voice said from behind him.

Max's eyes narrowed as he turned to face Nicolas Levy.

"Am I getting followed by you?" Max said curtly, not hiding his disdain.

"You're still stuck in your old ways," Nicolas said, his gaze fixed on the golf ball. "Thought I'd come show you how it's done," he added.

"Oh, you think you can take me down?" Max replied with a furrowed brow.

"Let's play a round then," Nicolas said with a chuckle, pulling out his driver. "May the best man win," he added with a wink.

"You're on. But don't expect any mercy," Max said.

The two men played intensely, their golf clubs swinging in perfect sync. Max's focus was laser-sharp, his mind honed in on the game, while Nicolas, on the other hand, seemed to be enjoying himself, his smile never wavering as he expertly hit shot after shot.

"So, I heard you've been hailing while I was away," Nicolas smirked as they walked to the next hole.

"You still can't get enough of me, huh?" Max said as he made a shot.

"Hahaha, you don't say," Nicolas replied, his gaze fixed on his next shot.

"What do you want? Why are you really back?" Max's eyes locked onto Nicolas.

"Let's just say I have unfinished business, Max, and you are right in the middle of it," Nicolas said, his expression turning cold.

"Weak threats don't scare me," Max said, raising his driver to make a shot.

As they reached the next hole, Nicolas's smile returned, his tone light and mocking. "Let's focus on the game, shall we? Loser buys dinner at the winner's favorite restaurant," he said.

"It's really hard watching these two play," Mr. Moon said as he tightly closed his eyes.

"It seems there is some sort of tension between them," a man commented.

"Yes, there is, and it boils up each time. They used to be close friends since they were five, but a rivalry developed over the years, fueled by Nicolas Levy's competitive nature and Max's refusal to back down. And then there was that one girl…"

"I see, they don't look like they want to settle their differences just yet," the man observed.

"They're both too proud," Mr. Moon said, smiling as his gaze fixed on them from afar while they played.

Nicolas stepped up to the ball, his eyes fixed on the hole. Max watched, arms crossed, as Nicolas took a deep breath and swung his club. The ball soared through the air, flying straight and true, landing with a soft thud on the green, rolling towards the hole with a gentle spin.

"It's going in," Nicolas said, his voice low and confident.

The ball dropped into the hole with a satisfying clunk.

Max turned to leave, his face stern the moment the ball went in.

"Hey, scared?" Nicolas asked, smiling. "Aren't you going to congratulate me on my amazing shot?"

Max turned back. "I only scheduled an hour here. Congrats, I'll give it to you. You've managed to cheat your way into winning a game of golf. I'm sure that's a skill that will serve you well in life," he said.

"Ah, Max, always the sore loser. Can't handle a defeat, can you?" Nicolas said.

"You need spectacles to rewatch the score," Max said with a slight head bow. "I'll take my leave," he added as he walked away, throwing his club to the side.