I get settled into my routine over at ELQ. I have made some work friends but I still must deal with Tanya. She is relishes the opportunity to offer her thinly veiled insults as conversation but I have learned to roll with the punches and not let myself be baited by her. I have been in this town for a month and I feel like I am really starting to get settled in. I am still saving for my car and soon enough I might be able to get a good lease. I still take the bus to work even though Michael doesn't see why it would be improper for him to pick me up and drop me off at work as if he is some regular employee. It will draw attention to the both of us which neither of us needs. We have figured at a compromise well not really because Michael waits for me to get on the bus every morning convinced something bad will happen if he doesn't. I roll my eyes but on the inside I love it because it means he cares and it only makes my crush deepen. He doesn't even entertain the thought of me taking the bus home from work. I love the fact he uses the excuse of giving me a ride home has him in my apartment and we always order takeout and do mundane things like watch TV and play games. It is nice and sweet and its like we are a platonic couple even though I want us to be more. I spend nearly everyday with Michael and I find its not enough. If I don't see him then we speak to each other in his personal cell phone. I wonder sometimes does he feel the same or am I just a good friend. I cannot really gauge it because Michael's enthusiasm for me could be from the allure of a friend who isn't related to you.

I decide to keep my mouth shut to Michael because he has become my best friend here. I have told my mother and my sister about Michael most times inadvertently. Majo is always trying to translate romantic comedies into real life. She thinks Michael is in love with me and she exclaims how can he not be because so pretty and smart. My sister is 16 and biased of course she thinks this about me I am her sister. Maybe my sister has watched one too many movies or maybe she is on to something. I spend so much time with Michael that I have met some of his family not the parents but I have met his brother Morgan and cousin Molly. They are pretty fun people and even take to our boring (Michael and I) idea of fun. Two times in the last month they have come to my apartment I kicked all three of their butts in a game of Catan. On the weekends when we are not at work I get tired of all the takeout I make food for the both of us and we stay holed up in my apartment like the rest of the world doesn't exist. Sometimes I get lost in the illusion and I just want to wrap my arms around him and just cuddle but that would be dangerous for me. That could jeopardize my footing at ELQ and make companies wary of hiring me but I know deep down I don't give a damn about any of that shit I mostly can't take the thought of Michael's rejection. I would rther keep my feeling buried and keep our friendship intact than opening that can of worms.

Brandon and David are talking to me in the cafeteria line about some of the people in our cubicle going out fir drinks and they ask if I want to come. It sounds like everyone in the cubicle just might go and I tell them I must take a rain check because I have plans. Michael and I are with each other every night just about even if it is to help Michael with work. I seldom bring work home that's why I tend to be in before everyone else so I don't have to bring it home with me. I can tell the guys really wanted me to come but I truly have no desire going for multiple reasons. we get closer to the line and I see Michael is at the head of the line paying for his food. He doesn't look happy or sad just blank and it worries me. What has Michael looking apathetic. To most people it would just seem he is calm but I know better. He pays me a glance and nods his head at us and walks away. I try not to think of why Michael looks like that maybe doesn't want to give anyone any ideas of our relationship outside of work. Even if that is true I don't feel like that is the reason but I decide to just revisit it later and get back into conversation with my work friends.

The day goes by pretty uneventful. I am. the last one in the office yet again because the rest of my colleagues went out to the bar for drinks. I pull out my phone and text Michael telling him I want to go home.

Mikey I am finished here do you still have a lot of work to do?- Maite

Yeah I have work that needs to be done you should go ahead without me.- Michael

This is the first time Michael is acting like this and it makes me worried. I have twenty minutes to spare before I miss the bus and I start packing up my things. This is the first time I am taking the bus home and it feels terrible. Is Michael mad at me for something?

Umm okay Michael I am going to head home now. I guess I will see you tomorrow maybe.- Maite

How are you getting home? -Michael

Uhh the same way I get to work. I am taking the bus... why?- Maite

You are not taking the bus! It is dark out and I worry hold on. I am going to pack my stuff up and I will take us home like I always do. Meet me in the parking garage in ten minutes okay? -Michael

Yeah okay Michael I will. -Maite

I make my way downstairs and do my usual telling the evening security guard good night and I walk out the building and head straight to the parking lot and I see Michael not too far. I follow him but I make sure not to walk beside him just in case there is anyone here. We get into the car and I can feel tension in the air and it makes me sad. I know I am not overthinking this know. We settle into an awkward silence and that has never happened to us and I am not brave enough to break it. Michael starts driving one-handed and be as brave as I can and just hold his other hand. He doesn't push me away which makes me exhale a breath of relief.

"Why didn't you go out with them?"

"What?"

"I heard those guys inviting you to a bar and you said you have plans but you didn't. I don't get why you told them no."

"Is that why you are sad Mikey?" He tightens his hold on my hand with his and I deduce maybe he is feeling insecure.

"Please answer the question..." His voice is barely above a whisper and it just reaffirms my previous thought.

"The truth is Mikey I do have plans. I have plans with you. Every night we have our ritual and I wouldn't trade that for the world. There isn't any other place I would rather be. I love kicking your ass in checkers or helping you finish work. It is the best part of my day." My confession blurts out of me before I can really filter the words but I see it is worth it when Michael breaks into a smile. We get to my apartment building and we walk in silence. Once we get into my apartment and drop our stuff I go towards Michael and I hug him. Even though I am with Michael just about everyday doesn't mean we always hug and I need it as much as he does. It is a reassurance for the both of us. I only meant for us to hug but being so close to Michael has me wanting to do things that I really shouldn't be thinking about. I try to pull back and Michael's hold on me tightens pushes me back into him. Before I can gasp he is kissing me and taking all the air out my body and I give him as good as I get. I am shivering but it isn't really cold in my apartment. He stops and just looks at me and those blue eyes are happy and it gives me pride to know it is because of me.

"You know you don't always have to hang out with me baby you can go out with your friends. We don't need to be those kind of people who get lost in their selves and only spend time with each other."

"Mikey even if I didn't have plans with you I wouldn't have gone. I have to deal with Tanya at work she takes every opportunity to make fun of me. I would be a masochist to endure her hatred for me when I don't have too."

"Baby why didn't you tell me this? I told her if she did that one more time she would be gone and you let this go on everyday why?"

"Michael the woman isn't stupid she gives subtle digs nothing overt so if she is ever questioned she has plausible deniability also how would it look if the CEO is the one to deal with this. It exposes that we have some outside of the workplace relationship. Michael it would look bad if someone found out about us because we didn't disclose it to human resources. We also can't disclose this to human resources because I will receive undue bias when my review happens. Perception will be that I got my job on my back and no way the review panel would choose me even if I was productive because it will cause a PR nightmare for them."

"Fuck, why do you make so much sense? I don't like anyone talking down to you. You are probably the smartest person I ever met and I don't want to be the cause of you not succeeding. I feel guilty I don't want to give you up but I don't like anyone treating you in such a way."

"Michael yeah its not okay but honestly Tanya isn't even on my radar. She does it to feel better about herself because she obviously feels threatened by me. I know I am smarter than her and that's what makes me feel better."

"You are also way more beautiful. Like really beautiful honestly I didn't have a chance. Sometimes I feel like I am making a fool of myself around you." The statement makes me giggle and Michael leans in too kiss me and I don't think I could ever get tired of this.

"Mikey I don't mind you being a fool. You may find it hard to believe but I don't get many offers."

"Well I don't want any competition but if guys never noticed you before its because they were born with no vision or intellect. My baby is beautiful." The compliments make me shy but I also giggle because I don't know how to take them.

"Not to break the sentimental spirit we have going on but I am hungry." My stomach has been waiting for food patiently but it says "no mas senorita".

"Okay I'll go get us some Chipotle."

"You are going to buy a Mexican some Chipotle."

"This is not the time to be a food snob. I am going to use the app and you are going to eat and I am tired of everything else."

"Fine Michael get the damn Chipotle make sure they don't mess up my order again."

"Yes ma'am." I roll my eyes and go to my bedroom to change I hear the door lock shut and once I change into my sweatpants and t-shirt I feel free. I just lay myself on the couch and watch some mindless tv while waiting for Michael to comeback. Michael won't knock he has a key so there will be no need for him to knock so I don't have to get up for the foreseeable future.

I start thinking to myself I have a boyfriend in this new place. I am excited but I also have to be very careful. I can't let any details slip about Michael and myself. If anyone at ELQ got a sniff of what we are to each other Michael could get kicked out of his position as CEO. I can always find a job elsewhere but Michael really wants this for his birth father's legacy and I respect that. I never did tell Michael about the offer from PCU to become an associate History professor but that was before we even met. PCU is holding a teaching position for me if it doesn't work out with the business. I realize how lucky I am because I will have a job either way but I should really get a lesson plan situated just in case I become an educator rather than a businesswoman. I will tell Michael later because no one should influence my decision and as much as I respect his opinion this is my future.

I hear keys jingling and Michael reveals himself with food and ugh I am so hungry I could eat just about anything. I go up to him and give him a short kiss and take my food and I don't even wait for him before I start eating. As I eat I wonder to myself can I really have it all without any repercussions and I decide Michael is worth it and so am I.

I originally was going to have this chapter up two days ago but I was so upset beyond words at something that happened to me I couldn't write and I tried but I could not get my fingers to cooperate at all and I just sat there looking at my tablet and I couldn't. I am feeling much better now that I have had time to get over it and I have been able to finally finish this chapter. I saw that I received a favorite and two follows in the time since my last update and I would just like to say thank you so much to everyone who follows this story even though this is an OC story. Anyways I want some feedback on if you guys think Maite should have a run-in with Kiki or should our two be in their own world where only a chosen few know about them. Morgan and Molly know about Maite but only as Michael's friend what opinion do you think they will have on this relationship? What will Carly and Sonny say when they find out? I hope to update soon everyone :).

P.S. guys remember I am typing my stories on my tablet until I get my new laptop so forgive the abundance of mistakes that may occur. The virtual keyboard is so sensitive I am thinking about getting a wireless keyboard to help in the meantime.