1

The problem really began when she was orphaned (not to be confused as when she first met Oliver; he had nothing to do with that).

Her mother had been her sole relative after her fathers passing as a child, thus when her mother followed her father when she was in junior high, Mai was left all alone.

She alone had to carry the burden of paying for her daily necessities, her school fees, housing fees, utilities, and basically, well everything.

With only one of her to make a living; her time had to be divided between working and studying, so needless to say, Mai grew up being very money-driven.

2

Initially, Mai really did not want to go to college. She had wanted to join the workforce right away; only to find out that most high paying jobs required at least a college degree. Mai did not want a life of part-time jobs.

Thus, she had to make a sacrifice and pursue college.

And that was where she first met Oliver Davis.

3

Oliver Davis was somewhat like a pseudo-idol in their university.

It was to the point that Mai had heard of his name despite the science building being located at the opposite end of the business building.

That was mainly because Oliver was considered as a God of studying; the university made it a point to display banners of his face and name whenever he tops a national quiz bee or gets international acknowledgment for his smarts or something (Mai really doesn't pay attention to what the banner congratulates him for).

Mai mostly noticed him because along with the brains, Oliver was also bestowed with the looks. Although Oliver's face plastered on the congratulatory banners couldn't be anymore uninterested, he still looked handsome beyond belief.

4

Normally, Mai wouldn't have anything to do with Oliver at all.

He was a science major, was a year higher than her, and all in all a famous person.

But fate seemed to have different plans for them when she accidentally walked in on an abandoned building after she heard a faint cry and then stumbled over air and crashed into a strangely brand new video tripod.

Shortly after, Oliver walked in on her and looked down on her in disdain.

What happened next was basically pay an insane amount for damages or work as Oliver's assistant (and get paid generously on top of the amount of damages being deducted each time).

Of course Mai had picked the latter without a beat.

5

Working for Oliver Davis wasn't even an actual job. Oliver had an older assistant/guardian assigned to him who basically handled everything Oliver would need.

Mai was the backup and after 2 weeks of not doing anything at all except that one time she had to submit a permit for Oliver, she decided to take matters into her own hands.

And that was how she found out (through Mr. Lin, Oliver's assistant) that Oliver had a very terrible habit of skipping meals and sleep when he gets too immersed in research.

Lucky for Oliver, Mai was a great cook.

Thus, began her self-proclaimed job of feeding Oliver.

She'd wake up early in the morning to cook a boxed breakfast and lunch for Oliver then she would walk all the way to his apartment (which thankfully was near the university grounds). She'd pull him out of bed and then heat up the breakfast she had packed.

Oliver hated it. She knew he did whenever he glared at her as she pulled his duvet away from him.

But he also learned that Mai wouldn't leave until she saw that he had eaten all the food.

Then she'd kindly remind him not to forget to bring his lunch and that she'd be expecting it when she comes back from her classes.

6

It didn't take long before people noticed that Oliver had started bringing a lunchbox with him. Apparently, it was almost close to a miracle to see him eating at all during lunch break.

But the rumours really only began when someone pointed out that the lunch Oliver was bringing wasn't a store-bought bento, but an actual handmade one.

After which several girls decided that if Oliver was eating a handmade lunch from who knows where, it wouldn't be that difficult to give him their own handmade lunch filled with love and care.

After all, who would reject a handmade meal from a pretty/hot lady like them, right?

Wrong.

Oliver refused each and every one of them and said "Mai prepares more than enough" (and if Oliver's voice carried a tinge of annoyance, it wasn't heard due to the fact that an unrecognised name spilled out of Oliver's mouth).

Then that spiralled even more when an anonymous post reached the popular section:

Who is Mai, the mysterious person who prepares Oliver's meals?

7

It didn't take long to find out which Mai it was.

Mai had walked in on Oliver's apartment only to find out it was empty. She immediately rang Mr. Lin and he gave her Oliver's number.

"I'm in the lab," Oliver said after he answered her call.

"You slept there?"

"I wasn't keeping track of the time," Oliver said. "Bring me a fresh shirt, it's research lab #2."

And so she did.

It was kind of like a whole new world when she stepped into the science building, and she oddly felt like people were staring at her, but she shook it off.

She made eye contact with a person who seemed to have already been looking at her, and they flinched as she stepped towards them.

Mai smiled, "hello, may I ask where research lab 2 is?"

The person looked at her strangely, "Are you Mai?"

Mai blinked. "Do I know you?"

"Oh, actually Oliver told us that you would be coming." He looked at the paper bag on Mai's hand and then the lunch bag, "Are those for Oliver?"

8

THREAD: Is this Mai really Oliver's girlfriend?

Her name is Taniyama Mai, she's a business major. Today, Oliver answered a call and told her to bring him clothes for him.

When she did arrive, she had prepared a lunchbox for Oliver as usual along with the clothes Oliver asked for, but all he did was take them without a word and then he left.

She didn't even look bothered by it, like it was a normal thing.

So now I'm wondering, is this really how one would treat a girlfriend?

— Comment #1: What the heck, isn't that just a maid?

— Comment #2: ngl its kind of rude not to even say thank you.

— Comment #3: LOL that's a maid

— Comment #4: tbh oliver didn't even look happy when eating, he looked annoyed that he actually has to stop to eat.

— Comment #5: that's totally oliver-coded, he normally wont even get up from his seat unless his research is done

— Comment #6: has anyone asked Mai about their relationship?

9

"Mai, you know Oliver Davis?"

Mai looked at her friend and frowned, "How do you know that?"

"So it's true! This is you!" Michiru said, "You're trending in the university board."

"What? Why?"

"Science students thought you were Oliver's secret girlfriend but now they're debating on what your relationship with him actually is."

"Girlfriend?" Mai said in surprise, "Oh God no, I'm just working for him to repay the equipment I accidentally broke. Are they still saying that I'm the girlfriend?"

"There's actually a poll and the leading answer is a maid."

It is true that Oliver is paying her, and she is actually on Oliver's beck and call (even if he doesn't know it), plus she prepares his food for him.

"That's not actually far from the truth."

10

Needless to say, Mai became somewhat famous too.

A month after that anonymous post wondering what her relationship with Oliver is, the general consensus was that she's just a girl who's chasing after Oliver whom the latter cannot easily get rid off.

Not that Mai cared, Oliver was still paying her handsomely to the point that she could quit her part time jobs and actually focus on college.

Her routine was still the same, preparing meals, waking him up, or reminding him to sleep.

In the midst of it, she actually managed to befriend Mr. Lin, who told her that Oliver's parents were in England and that he had a twin brother who was a famous model in their home country.

Oliver actually came to Japan only because the university offered a full scholarship and he incidentally wanted to come to Japan.

11

"Do you have a passport?"

Mai watched as Oliver got up from bed. She folded the blanket on her hand and then placed it down on the bed.

"No, why?"

"Ask Lin to help you get one," Oliver said.

"Why would I need a passport?"

"You're coming with me to England."

She looked at him as if he had grown two heads, "I am?"

"For summer. My parents are insisting."

"I'm not spending money to process a passport I'm not ever going to need, nor an insane amount of money to go to England."

Oliver looked at her and then sighed, "I'll cover all the expenses."

Mai beamed, "You should have said so from the start! When are we leaving?"

12

Mai was still smiling until the door closed behind her. At that point, she wanted nothing more than to strangle Oliver.

"How could you let your parents misunderstand like that!" She whispered as she glared at Oliver who was setting his things down on his bed.

"It's a bother to explain," he said.

Which Mai should understand, really, considering Oliver. He would have had to explain that Mai was his assistant, then explain how she became an assistant, then explain why he hired a poor orphan girl as his assistant.

Being his girlfriend would explain everything.

But Luella was such a nice mother and her conscience couldn't stand lying to the woman.

Mai decided she'd walk back outside and explain to his mother right now.

"I'll double your pay while we're here."

Mai stopped walking and then grabbed a pillow off Oliver's bed.

"Well, this chair looks so comfortable I don't mind sleeping here for the next 3 days."

Oliver looked so smug but she graciously decided to ignore it in favor of the amount he was paying her for this stay.

Who else would pay someone to have a vacation like Oliver?

13

"Hey Eugene, where's Oliver?"

Eugene looked up from the book he was reading in the library.

That's right, a library. The Davises had their own private library within their mansion.

"How'd you know I was Eugene? I'm dressed head to toe like Oliver!" Eugene said.

Mai shrugged. While she was here, she met the famous Eugene Davis, Oliver's model twin brother.

She had been starstruck, of course. Oliver was effortlessly handsome, but if he did actually pay attention to how he looked, he would look like Eugene. A jaw-dropping, eye-blindingly handsome man.

She joined him on the sofa, "Do people really confuse you two?"

"You're the only person besides our parents who can distinguish us."

She laughed, "Do you know how cliche you just made me sound like now? 'You're the first person to ever slap me, I think I love you!'"

"What kind of books do you read?" Oliver frowned as he joined them in the table.

"The kind you don't read." Mai said, "By the way, your mom is looking for you."

14

A week after they returned from England, Mai found out that a new rumour had spread about her in the Campus.

Mai had just left the bank after checking her balance when her phone started buzzing like crazy.

Apparently Eugene Davis (yes, the popular model with more than 500k followers) posted a picture of Mai and her brother on his instagram story. It was of Oliver standing in front and Mai standing behind holding Oliver's bag.

It only sparked even more rumours that Mai had persistently stalked Oliver all the way to England.

Mai snorted. They can make fun of her all they want, they weren't the one who got the vacation with double pay.

15

As Oliver's graduation approached, he became even more busy.

The days that Mai would stand inside an empty apartment became even more usual. Then she'd had to call Oliver to ask where he was so she could bring his meal because no matter what, she won't allow him to miss a meal.

"Why don't you just move in?" Oliver asked her as she once again was calling Oliver to ask where he was.

"What?"

"Just move in. Ask Lin for the passlock and to help you move in." Oliver said, "It saves you the trouble of walking back and forth."

"But I paid the dorm fees in advance…"

"I'll refund you," Oliver said.

How unfair is the world. Oliver was not only handsome abd smart, but he was also rich.

"Move in." Oliver then ended the call.

16

Turns out moving in with Oliver was really the best choice.

She didn't have to get up extra early to cook their meals because she no longer had to take account of the walking distance between her dorm and his apartment.

Plus, the guest room in Oliver's apartment was bigger than the dorm. She didn't have to share the room with another girl and she didn't have to hear the snores from the girl next door because the walls were thin.

And it became a lot easier to talk to Oliver.

"I don't care if you're busy with research, if you don't come back in time for dinner I'm telling Luella."

That always worked like magic, only because Oliver experienced the threat firsthand.

17

Mai wondered if she would be unemployed soon.

After Oliver graduates, he would return to England since he no longer had the excuse of a scholarship to stay in Japan.

Then Mai would be forced to go back to looking for part time jobs!

Actually, money wasn't that much of a problem. Oliver continued to pay her handsomely even more after she paid back the damages for that video camera she broke and since Oliver paid for all the expenses in the house, Mai was basically only spending on her school fees.

Hmm, maybe Mai didn't have to look for a job until she finished college.

Should she ask Oliver regardless? There's only 2 months until Oliver's graduation and she already missed the application period for a dorm in the following semester.

She'd have to start looking for one around the university.

"Just say it," Oliver said from across her. He didn't bother looking up from the journal he was reading. "I can feel you staring."

"I was just wondering where I'll stay after you graduate."

"You're leaving?"

"Aren't you?" Mai asked, "I can't pay for the rent here when you leave."

He frowned, "Where am I going?"

18

Turns out Oliver wasn't leaving at all. His dad opened a branch in Shibuya and Oliver was instructed with the task of overseeing the business.

Which was very good news for Mai, because just as Oliver had informed her of that, she was offered a job.

The same job as his assistant because it was 'a pain to hire a new one'.

And this new job came with a lot more benefits, of course. Mai couldn't complain. Rather, Mai wanted nothing more than to hug Oliver's thigh her entire life so he could keep throwing his money at her for doing nothing.

19

Mai was very careful not to move too much as she watched the graduation procession. The bouquet that she bought for Oliver cost a lot, but it was a necessary purchase considering the fact that she had to maintain a good relationship with her employer in the long run.

It's a long term investment.

Now if only expensive paper wraps weren't so easy to crumple!

Oliver graduated with latin honours, of course, along with every other academic honours he could get with it. The amount of women who cheered as he made his speech (boring, in Mai's opinion, quite a copy pasted one from the internet) was enough to shake the entire hall.

He was also easily flocked with a crowd of students wanting to take a picture with him, so Mai assumed it would take quite some time for her to hand over the bouquet.

"We should stand in the shade over there, Mr. Lin." Mai used her chin to point at the direction, "Oliver will probably take a while."

"He's heading over," Mr. Lin sighed in relief, the poor guy probably was overwhelmed with the amount of people gathered around. "I'll have the car prepared."

"That's probably a good idea, he looks like he wants nothing more but to get out of here."

Mr. Lin's empty spot was then soon filled by handed the bouquet to him.

"Congratulations, Oliver!"

20

He looked down at her and the bouquet. Only then did Mai notice that both his hands were occupied; with one holding his medals and his cap on the other.

"Oh, I can hold onto this for you."

"No," Oliver said. He gave his medals and cap to Mai then took the bouquet. "Thank you."

"They're quite heavy," Mai observed as she lifted one of the medallion heads. "No wonder you removed them, are they real?"

"No. Where's Lin?"

"He went to get the car." Mai peeked behind him, "It looks like some people still want to talk to you."

With his free hand, Oliver turned her around and then nudged her softly to prompt her to walk.

"I made my speech and the ceremony is over."

21

"Are you really not dating Oliver?!" Michiru asked her the next day.

"I'm not," Mai rolled her eyes. "What's this about this time?"

"People caught him putting his medals on you," Michiru said. "Who does that?"

"They were heavy, and he gave them to me because he had no free hand to take the flowers I gave him."

"He placed them on your neck!"

"What difference does that make?" She laughed, "they were heavy. He would have handed it to Mr. Lin if he was there."

"I can't tell if you're just clueless or if you're really telling the truth."

"I'm telling the truth," Mai said. "If Oliver was interested in me, I would know. I practically live with him."

22

Mai groaned, barely stopping herself from stomping her foot.

Not a wise idea considering the fact that she was wearing heels.

"It's because you keep involving me in things like these that people keep thinking I'm your girlfriend!"

Oliver was invited to an opening party by one of his dad's business partners and he needed a plus one; Mai, who was lounging in the living room at that time, was the perfect choice.

She tried talking her way out of it by claiming that she had nothing to wear, but Mr. Lin interjected saying that Oliver could just buy her one.

Mai had an inkling that Mr. Lin was on Oliver's side mainly because if Mai wouldn't go with him, Mr. Lin had to go.

Mr. Lin was busy these days with his wife's pregnancy so Mai had no choice but to concede.

It wasn't like it was hard to say no to Oliver, especially when he's doubling her pay for the night just to smile and talk with the wives of very influential people.

Although from the get-go, they've been calling her Oliver's girlfriend and one thing led to another.

"I'll triple your pay."

Mai turned her frown upside down and placed her arm over Oliver's.

"I think Mr and Mrs. Fujitora wants to talk to you." She said, "Let's head over to say hello."

23

From then on, Mai was formally known as Oliver's girlfriend to the latter's social circle.

After Oliver's graduation, the rumours about her soon dwindled and died down until it was also generally accepted that, well, she must have charmed Oliver somehow and she really is romantically tied to the man.

Even the professors at the university who knew Oliver well treated her like their grandchild until she graduated.

Then when she started working in Oliver's company, she also immediately became known as the only person who can make Oliver move. Literally.

She had to force him to go home numerous times to the point that people would literally beg (with their eyes) just so they don't have to stay and work overtime.

Mai sighed as she walked into the conference room, "Excuse me, sorry to interrupt, but Oliver, if you don't go home with me right now, I'm telling Luella that you—"

Oliver closed the file he was reading, and got up.

"That's it for today. I'll expect the reports on Friday."

Why can't he just take the initiative to end work on time by himself?

24

"By the way, I won't be coming home early tonight." Mai said as she placed her shoes on.

"Why?"

"Osamu from the research department asked me to help with something."

"If he can't do it himself, then why is he still employed?"

Mai laughed, "I think you and I both know that's just an excuse to drink with me. I think he's having some problems with real life."

"And he needs to talk to you about it? Does he not have any friends?"

"I'm his friend, that's why he's talking to me about it."

"Since when?"

"What?"

"Since when were you friends?"

"Since I started working at the company…? Oliver, you assigned him to give me a tour."

25

Mai had just gotten home when she found out that Oliver was still awake and sitting in the living room.

"Why are you still awake?"

It was currently a few minutes past 1 am. Oliver routinely sleeps at 11pm.

She walked over to him and placed a hand on his forehead "You're not running a fever… are you feeling unwell?"

He took her hand off his forehead, "Mai, do you want to get married to me?"

She thought about it.

"Uhm, not really, no," Mai said. "It's too much work."

"If you get married to me we'll share the same bank account."

Mai paused.

"You'll have access to all my money and my properties will be placed on a marital share"

She grabbed Oliver's hand and leaned forward, "Oliver Davis, will you marry me?"

He smirked, "It seems my fiance is very money-crazy."

Mai didn't even blink when Oliver kissed her forehead. Unphased, she urged, "I'm thinking a summer wedding would be nice, don't you think?"

— end of main story —


extra #1

Oliver didn't really think too much about the damage Mai had caused when she broke the equipment he placed on the abandoned school.

It was private property and he was trespassing when he did that.

He was going to let it go after telling the girl to calm down, but she insisted on paying him back and he was starting to get a headache from the rambling.

He managed to shut her up by hiring her as an assistant.

He didn't need one, of course, Lin was already more than enough.

Oliver was perfectly fine with paying the girl to do nothing and forget she even ever existed until she arrived at his doorsteps with food.

Just has he was about to throw her out, his phone beeped and a message popped up.

Oliver, dear, Lin told me you're not eating and sleeping well recently. Do you need me to write a formal letter to your university about the importance of health?

He took a picture of the food Mai brought for him and sent it to his mother, just to prove that he was indeed eating well.


extra #2

"What did Osamu call you over for?"

She looked over at Oliver, who was frowning and thinking deeply. She poked Oliver's eyebrow.

"Is that jealousy I'm seeing? Is this why you proposed?"

Oliver scoffed, "It's not like there was actually any competition. I'm your best choice."

Mai laughed, "How so?"

"I'm the richest amongst the people you know your age."

Well, he wasn't wrong.

"He was having problems with his partner, they argued about how Osamu was spending less time at home so he was given an ultimatum." Mai explained, "He just needed someone to listen to him ranting before he got the courage to go back to their place."

Oliver hummed and silence ensued.

Mai broke the silence as she nudged him with her shoulders, "I didn't really marry you for your money, you know?"

"I know," he chuckled, "but it did help that I'm rich."


extra #3

Mai wasn't naive, she knew when Oliver started noticing her more.

Admittedly she only noticed because she was noticing him.

Luella helped with that too, she pulled her aside one night and told her that it was her first time seeing Oliver that willing to engage in a talk and to actually smile and banter with someone playfully.

After Luella had told her that, she started observing him even more closely.

Oliver was too much of an open-book once you started looking for the actual signs. But it didn't seem like he was aware of his own feelings so Mai decided it would be better to play dumb.

It was also kind of cute how even Oliver himself gets confused by his own actions.

Really, watching him make nonsensical excuses to take her out and give her stuff was entertaining in itself. Especially that one time he claimed that he thought it was her birthday, when they celebrated her birthday 3 months ago.

Or how he casually introduced her as his girlfriend to his business partners and then made excuses with her afterwards about how it would be easier if they knew he had a partner so no one would push their daughters to him.

His ears also easily turned red when he was embarrassed.

Mai laughed, just when is he going to realise he actually likes her?

— end of story —


A/N: I wrote this under 2 hours lol not-beta read and I'm too lazy to correct the grammar...