When Maya didn't immediately respond, it wasn't out of rudeness — it was because she genuinely had no clue what a face-saving thing to say was. The human male in front of her had caught her completely off guard, his words still echoing in her head like a siren.

He didn't seem put off by her silence. Instead, he stretched out his hand and gave her a warm, disarming smile that crinkled the corners of his eyes. "Hello, I'm Jay. I live at this apartment complex too. I noticed you just moved in."

Behind them, the reception area buzzed quietly — the soft ding of the elevator, muffled footsteps over polished marble floors, the occasional hum of light conversation. Outside the large windows, sunlight filtered through the branches of a gnarled tree that stood like a guardian over the rustic coffee shop next door.

Maya inhaled deeply, grounding herself. Conceding to an uncertain fate, she slowly reached out and took his hand. "I just moved in. I'm Maya."

Her words felt stiff, like reciting a line from a play she hadn't rehearsed enough. Still, it was the best she could manage — her first real human interaction, and already, she was second-guessing everything.

Jay's smile grew. "I noticed," he said again, as though pleased with himself. He clapped his hands once in a boyish way that made her blink. "You'll most likely achieve maximum comfort at this place."

Maya nodded slowly, parroting back what felt like the safest answer. "I sure will."

Before the conversation could stretch into something even more complex, a woman in a crisp white corporate dress appeared beside her, heels clicking softly against the tiled floor. Her dark hair was neatly pulled into a bun, and a tablet rested in her hands.

"Miss Peyton," she said, her voice as polished as her appearance, "everything has been confirmed. I'll lead you to your apartment."

Relief swept over Maya like a gentle tide. She gave Jay a small, polite smile. "Excuse me, I have to go."

He gave a slight bow of the head, still grinning. "I'll see you around."

Once Maya entered her apartment, the door clicked shut behind her with a finality that echoed through the still space. She exhaled slowly, the atmosphere shifting.

It was nothing like her old room in the Cupid realm.

Gone were the wild blooms of heart-shaped daisies, lilac vines trailing the corners of her ceiling, and the warm golden hue of floating candles that filled the air with sweet fragrance. Here, everything was clean, sharp, and sterile — a small modern apartment painted in an unforgiving white, the kind that could either be peaceful or unsettling depending on your mood.

The scent of polished wood lingered faintly. The kitchen had smooth granite counters and an unstocked fridge. The living room, modest and tidy, had no personal touch yet — just pristine furniture and an untouched television screen. The only thing with color was a vase of red roses by the bedside, their petals slightly curled inward as if mourning something.

Maya walked through the space slowly, absorbing the difference. The starkness of it all pressed down on her shoulders, making the place feel less like home and more like an empty shell.

Finally, she made her way to the bedroom and collapsed onto the bed, its softness both strange and comforting. Her limbs felt heavy, and her mind reeled from the change. Two years early. That detail kept circling back in her head.

She was not supposed to be here. Not yet.

Morales had briefed her, yes, but there was a difference between listening to instructions and actually being in the human world. Alone. Powerless. Vulnerable.

Still, the bed — the only thing that felt remotely like safety — invited her to surrender. Her eyes closed, and for the first time in her existence, she let herself fall into the arms of sleep.

______

When Maya woke, sunlight was streaming through the blinds in narrow slats, striping her face with gold. She blinked, momentarily dazed by the warmth.

Did I really sleep? she wondered.

Cupids didn't sleep. But maybe humans did. And she was supposed to be one now.

Rubbing the back of her neck, she stood and stretched before instinctively heading to the bathroom. The water from the shower hit her skin in tiny bursts — sharp, warm, oddly comforting. Her breath fogged up the mirror, and she stared at her reflection with tentative curiosity.

This face — familiar, yet foreign — would be hers for the next three months.

Wrapped in a towel, she padded to the kitchen only to find... nothing. The cabinets echoed when she opened them. The fridge was humming dutifully, but empty. There wasn't a crumb in sight.

A frustrated sigh escaped her lips, her shoulders slumping. Of course. It's a test.

The doorbell rang, slicing through her thoughts like a blade. She stiffened. Her bare feet made soft patting sounds against the floor as she tiptoed toward the door and opened it cautiously.

There was no one there.

Just a large brown box sitting in front of her doorstep.

Her eyes darted left, then right. The hallway was empty. Not a soul in sight.

Maya picked up the box, heart pounding with suspicion and curiosity. She carried it inside and set it carefully on the kitchen counter before opening it.

Inside was a note.

"From Morales," it read. Her lips curled into the faintest of smiles.

"Just because I know how you can be, I sent this to help you out."

Beneath the note lay a sleek, thin device that resembled a tablet. CUPID CO. was engraved across the surface in bold gold letters.

She felt a warmth surge in her chest. He thought of me.

"P.S. This took a lot of paperwork."

She chuckled quietly, affection pooling behind her eyes. She turned the device over in her hands, wondering what she was supposed to do with it.

Her thumb pressed a side button, and the screen lit up with a soft chime.

"Hello," a calm voice echoed from the device. "I am an android sent from the Cupid world to help you on your test. You may ask me anything you need to know about the human world."

Maya jumped slightly at the voice, almost dropping the device. "Anything?"

"Yes," it replied cheerfully. "I can also provide you with clothes and other essentials — except money."

Maya raised a brow. "Clothes? How about work clothes?"

The screen shimmered, then projected a hologram of three outfit options. Each looked smart, functional, and perfectly tailored for office work.

She pointed. "That one."

With a glow and soft hum, the outfit materialized on the counter — a navy-blue work dress paired with matching pumps and a professional handbag.

She slipped into it, the fabric hugging her gently like it already knew her shape. The moment she looked into the mirror, something in her shifted.

She looked... human.

Professional. Presentable. Capable.

For the first time, she felt like maybe — just maybe — she could do this.

The morning air outside the apartment building was brisk and bright. Maya stepped out, her new heels clicking against the sidewalk. She clutched her bag tightly, feeling the weight of the unknown future within it.

Before she could leave, she stopped by the reception desk to drop off her key and was met with a familiar voice.

"Hello, Miss Maya. How was your night? I hope you achieved maximum comfort."

Jay.

He leaned against the desk, dressed casually in jeans and a snug hoodie. A pair of dark sunglasses covered his eyes, making it impossible to read his expression fully.

Maya offered a polite smile. "Hello, Jay. Yes, I did."

He nodded approvingly and stepped a little closer, the scent of coffee and citrus clinging faintly to him.

"You're all dressed up today," he said lightly. "Do you perhaps also work on the weekends? It is Sunday."

The question hit her like a slap.

Her body froze. Her thoughts scrambled. Sunday. Of course.

She tried not to panic. Don't act weird. Don't act alien.

"I don't have a job at the moment," she said, carefully. "I just moved here. I was hoping to go job hunting today — that's why I'm all dressed up."

Jay nodded thoughtfully, tapping a finger against the desk. "I see. Well, tell me if you need any help job hunting. I'll be happy to help."

Maya hesitated. A beat passed before she nodded, the edge of desperation softened by humility. "I would really appreciate that. Everything feels so new. If you could help in any way..."

Jay lifted a hand, stopping her mid-sentence with a friendly smile. "Say no more. I'd be happy to help.

-Thank you for reading chapter 4, the next chapter has been updated-

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