Episode 9: Uncharted Routes
The sunlight filtered lazily through the towering windows of Elijah Grant's bedroom, casting golden lines across the sleek obsidian walls. He lay awake in bed, eyes open, staring at the ceiling. His thoughts weren't on stock values or tech presentations for once they were on her.
Maya.
He exhaled and sat up, his fingers brushing over the watch on his nightstand. It had been two months since that strange little encounter in the quiet café on 16th Street. And now, she worked right under him at StoneArc Innovations same voice, same eyes, same aura. But Maya never once hinted at remembering him. Was it all in his head? Was she pretending not to know?
He shook the thought off, rising and moving through his morning routine like clockwork shower, suit, perfectly combed hair, espresso shot.
As he settled into the back of his sleek black limo, the city rolled past him, but his mind stayed locked on a loop. Does she remember? If she did, why hide it? And if she didn't… why did it bug him so much?
When he arrived at StoneArc Innovations, Dana was waiting at the lobby, tablet in hand and eyebrows already raised.
"Mr. Grant, we have a situation."
"That's how you greet me now? What happened to good morning?"
"Good morning. We have a situation."
He smirked and followed her toward the elevators.
"It's Berlin. The investors from VahrenTech moved the meeting. They're pushing for a face-to-face. High-level partnership, and I mean 'get-on-a-plane-tonight' high-level."
"Can we not do this virtually?" Elijah asked, already loosening his tie like the mere suggestion of travel offended his wardrobe.
"You know how they are. Old school, trust-built-on-eye-contact type. They've already scheduled the sit-down."
Elijah sighed deeply. He hated last-minute trips. But this one mattered. A deal with VahrenTech could triple their EU market share.
"Fine," he muttered. "Book it."
Dana turned to leave, but he stopped her.
"One more thing."
She turned back, surprised.
"Add Maya Lane to the passenger list."
Dana blinked. "She's...an intern."
"Yes. And this is an exception."
"That's a big exception."
"Then call it a test run."
Dana gave a short laugh. "You're breaking your own rules, Elijah."
"That's why they call them mine
ready the private jet "
Dana replied." yes sir."
FLIGHT
---
The flight was long, the skies smooth. Maya sat across from Elijah in the private jet, her nerves battling with curiosity. She had been stunned when Dana told her she'd be accompanying Mr. Grant to Germany. Interns never traveled. Ever.
She had half expected it to be a mistake. Or a trap. Or worse a test.
ARRIVAL IN GERMANY
---
Later that day Elijahs phone Call with Miriam Grant
In the quiet space of the private lounge, Elijah called his mother.
"Mom," he said, his tone softer than usual.
"Elijah?" Miriam answered, a touch of concern in her voice. "You didn't call this morning. Everything alright?"
"Yes. I'm in Germany," he admitted. "Left in a rush. Business emergency. I meant to call earlier, but everything moved fast."
"Germany?" she echoed. "Please be careful. "
He paused. "Yes. I will mom."
she hangs up after telling him a good bye
In Germany – Day One
The trip began smoothly. Meetings, presentations, photo ops Maya kept pace with Elijah flawlessly. But there were moments small ones that caught his attention.
She kept glancing over her shoulder.
Once, in the hotel lobby, she nearly bumped into a concierge because she was too busy scanning the crowd.
Elijah noticed.
"You good?" he asked during one elevator ride.
"Yeah," she said too quickly. "Just tired."
He didn't buy it.
That night, while they reviewed strategy notes in the lounge, Maya's hand brushed his by accident. She froze. Elijah didn't react but he noticed the flicker in her eyes. She pulled back slightly, lips parted like she wanted to say something but couldn't.
Her heart fluttered in that instant, and she hated herself for it.
Because she remembered.
Her reason for coming to StoneArc.
The man she was meant to betray.
And now, the man who stirred something in her that felt too much like longing.
After an hour they were done.
Maya stood alone on her balcony
The wind was cold, but familiar. It reminded her of all the nights she'd had no coat, no safety net, no hand to hold. She thought of all the times she'd clawed her way through cities and temp jobs. Alone.
She had never needed saving.
She knew she hadn't lived a life one could be proud of, but it was the only way she could survive in a world where no one cares and yet… Elijah's soft concern, the way he noticed her without saying he noticed, stirred something in her she hadn't felt in a long time.
A part of her wanted to fight it.
A part of her didn't.
As she stepped inside, she whispered to the empty room: "Don't fall for him. Don't be stupid."
But even she didn't believe her own warning.
DAY TWO – GERMANY, 4:12 PM
The cityscape of Berlin buzzed with its usual rhythm, but inside Elijah's hotel suite, everything felt off. He had just returned from a high-level meeting. The silence in the hallway was too loud. Maya had texted hours ago, saying she was going for a short walk to clear her mind. But it had now been nearly four hours too long.
He dialed her number for the fifth time. Straight to voicemail.
Elijah's brows furrowed. Something was wrong.
He paced the floor like a man whose instincts were screaming louder than reason. Just as he reached for the hotel phone to contact the lobby, his personal bodyguard, Ray, came rushing in.
"She's not in the hotel," Ray said. "We checked every floor. Staff hasn't seen her since noon."
Elijah's tone dropped low, sharp with control. "Get every piece of surveillance around this hotel. I want footage from every damn corner. Now."
Ray nodded and moved quickly.
Moments later, Elijah stood by the window, hands clenching into fists. The setting sun glinted against the glass, but he wasn't admiring the view.
He pulled out his private phone and dialed a contact labeled Viktor. The man answered on the first ring.
"I need men. Berlin. Now," Elijah said, skipping pleasantries.
"Elijah? What's happened?"
"i need to find some one" She vanished four hours ago. I think she's been taken."
There was silence, then, "I'll send six of my best. Gear and all."
"Make it ten. I want this city painted in searchlights if I have to. Find her. I don't care who took her or why. I just want to find her in a few hours."
4:50 PM
A command center formed inside Elijah's suite. Maps, security footage, and live GPS tracking filled the screens. Elijah stood in the middle of it all, arms crossed, jaw tight.
Ray stepped forward. "Sir, a camera caught her exiting the building around noon. She turned toward Alexanderplatz then the trail goes cold."
"Keep looking. Stretch the grid. Pull traffic cams from surrounding streets. I don't care if it takes all night."
He wasn't just angry he was unraveling. Yet still composed. Elijah Grant never let emotion compromise action but this was different. Maya wasn't just another staff member. She had slowly threaded herself into his thoughts. Now, she was gone, and it felt like a part of him had been ripped away.
7:32 PM
Rain began to fall lightly on the streets.
One of the hotel's security officers offered him food, but Elijah dismissed it with a wave.
"I'll eat when she walks through that door," he muttered.
11:08 PM
A tip finally broke through: a dark van was spotted near a construction site around the time Maya disappeared. Elijah's men stormed the location. Empty.
Blood on the ground. Torn fabric.
A piece of Maya's sleeve.
That was the moment Elijah snapped.
"FIND HER!" he roared. "I DON'T CARE WHAT YOU HAVE TO DO JUST FIND HER!"