Stacks of papers

          Maria took a sip of her glass, observing the atmosphere around her. She could see several couples slow dancing on the dance floor, while others were mingling and conversing with each other. Some people sat at tables, indulging themselves in drinks and food. There were also some families having a good time together, laughing and having fun. 

She couldn't deny the attention their table received. They all seemed to whisper one or two things after stealing glances in their direction. Most of the time, they stared at her with perplexed and curious expressions. Judging by their body language, she knew they were all wondering who she was since they couldn't easily search her on the internet to get the needed information and also had no guts to question Jayden himself about the woman he had brought to the event. 

"Are you hungry? Do you crave anything? Or perhaps you want to try another drink?" Jayden's voice drew her attention away from the party's venue and back to their table where he was seated opposite her. Maria glanced at him, finding him staring at her with a thoughtful expression.  

It seemed her response was not necessary for him. He sprung from his seat and she lifted her chin, her eyes following his movement. Jayden glanced down, their gazes connected with an invisible vertical line between them. "There are plenty of dishes and drinks to choose from. If you are not comfortable with the crowd, we can go inside the hotel's restaurant for a more private meal." He suggested, gesturing towards the grand building, without taking his lingering eyes off her face.

Maria sat still for a moment, unresponsive to his suggestion. It felt strange and surprising to receive that kind of treatment from him. Surely, he was not the kind of person to worry or show interest in other people's needs. But then again, there could be a sweet gentle soul beneath all those superficial facades.

Her eyes gawked at the palm he stretched out to her, tracing the lines of his calloused fingertips as if memorizing the contour of his hand. His fingers were long, well-shaped, and calling out for hers. She stared for so long that she didn't miss the way his elegant gold-toned watch glimmered when the light caught the edge of it.

"Maria?" Jayden inquired, breaking her trance and bringing her back to reality. She pulled her gaze away from him, blinking rapidly to clear her mind. "Aren't you coming?" He added when she looked up at him.

Maria inhaled lightly, deciding to accept his offer and indulge herself with a party treat. Her attention shifted back to his hand, determined to grab it and hold on tight. She raised her arm slowly, pausing in between to measure her movements. Her fingertips brushed his skin and her intention of reaching deeper got ruined when a different hand snatched Jayden's away from him. 

The sudden intruder surprised the both of them, turning their attention towards the new arrival. A stunning beauty stood next to Jayden, and Maria immediately recognized her as the hostess, the lady from the stage earlier. She was looking deep into Jayden's eyes and holding his wrist possessively. Her face was painted with beams, her curving lips red and glossy. 

"It's been a while, Jay-Jay!" Her smooth voice rang happily, squeezing his hand tighter. Maria's eyes widened slightly, observing how casual she was with him; the nickname the lady addressed him with, and her proximity to him.  

Jayden pulled his hand free before responding, his answer simple and short in a neutral tone. "Yeah. Hi." He nodded faintly, hiding his two hands in his pockets. 

"Come on now, Jay-Jay. Is that all you have to say after two years of not seeing me? I know you don't mean that." Ashley countered, her tone playful and teasing as she snuggled closer to his chest.

"Well," he took a step back from her flirtatious advances, "I can see things are going well with you. Congratulations on the product launch." He mentioned before his eyes darted to the silent Maria for the briefest moment. 

Ashley trailed after his sight, taking a quick glimpse at the blonde lady seated across them. Maria caught her blank stare that flashed on her face in a split second before the lady returned her focus to Jayden, ignoring her presence. 

She shrugged, her arms elevating to rest her palms against his shoulders. "What can I say? I worked my butts off and spent my little free time praying for your recovery? Yes, Jay! I missed you so much."  She leaned forward, dropping her head against his chest with her hands still gripping his upper arms. "I am so happy you are finally better." She added in subtle whispers. 

Maria watched their embrace,  wondering what was going on. The lady was lasting more than five seconds and it seemed like Jayden wasn't resisting her. She glanced at his face, his eyes staring straight ahead and his body language was stiff. He was not reciprocating her gesture and his expression was unreadable. 

The situation drove a lot of thoughts. Maria couldn't help but guess what their relationship was. Ex-lovers or two friends with romantic attractions? She was beginning to think of the possibility of Jayden purposely bringing her along to the party to make the other lady jealous. Or what if her presence was to distract other people's attention from their secret relationship?

Her brain stopped with the excessive reflections when Jayden dropped his gaze to her. His eyes held no message behind them. It was blank and empty. Maria didn't stare for long, averting her eyes, pretending to be indifferent about how her date was being squeezed by a different woman. Things were already awkward enough as it was and finding Jayden watching her watch them would only worsen her predicament. 

She simply turned her face to the other side and resumed sipping her juice. Frankly, she was in no position to be mad, curious about the hugging two, or... jealous. After all, Jayden was only a patient to her. Their relationship was purely professional and nothing more. Whatever he did with his love life was totally none of her business.

Jayden shifted his vision back to the figure clinging to him, his hands drawing out from his pockets to detach himself free. "That's enough, Ashley." His lips moved, producing words in low tones for her close ears. Several eyes were on them and he had been thinking of a more refined way to get the lady away without making a scene or humiliating her in the presence of her guests.

"Oh, come on, Jay-Jay. You know I can't resist you." She teased, her voice light and airy.

"That's none of my business," he retorted almost immediately, sounding like himself, stern and cold.

Ashley frowned with evident displeasure when he peeled her hands away. She folded her arms, shifting her weight to one side, and tilted her head to study him with narrowed eyes. "You seem different, Jay. " 

"And you haven't changed." He replied genuinely, his tone flat without sarcasm and his hands were adjusting the part of his clothes she had disheveled. 

"I'm sorry, what?" 

His frame shifted, ignoring her question, and turned to settle his gaze upon Maria. She had been sitting quietly, paying attention to the people dancing without interfering in whatever conversation he shared with Ashley. "Maria?" He called softly, circling the table, and walking towards her.

Maria lifted her face in response and watched him move closer with slow strides. Her eyes followed his movements until he halted his steps, stopping in front of her, and holding out his hand once again. 

"Come with me. Let's have dinner." He requested, his voice low and smooth.

She blinked with a gentle force before darting her blue gaze to the other lady standing a few feet away. She decided to read the room carefully first before making any decision and lowered her eyes slightly with long stretches of contemplative consideration.

Maria was yet to know the history the lady had with Jayden, the unclear objective he had when he decided to bring her along to the event, disguised as his date. Most importantly, Jayden didn't identify he was with a 'girlfriend' when the woman was trespassing on his personal space, so there wasn't an understandable reason to continue with the act when it seemed he was avoiding introductions. 

She glanced up to find his eyes still fixed on her. His expression held no emotions but she could still tell he was waiting for her answer. She hesitated for a moment, not wanting to disappoint him but also not willing to make the situation more uncomfortable for her. "I'm okay." She answered calmly and rose to her feet without his offered help. "I will be over there getting another drink, and making a phone call." She added, glancing at him briefly.

Jayden remained silent, his brows furrowed together in contemplation. He didn't look convinced and his eyes were studying her intently. Then, he nodded slowly and stepped aside, allowing her to walk away, surprising her a little.

Maria turned around to leave, her heels clicking against the floor as she made her way away from the table. With every slow step she took, she secretly wished he would stop her from leaving or following after her. But he didn't. Instead, he kept his distance, watching her with those intense eyes with his hands behind his back, his posture rigid and stoic. 

But then again, there was no room for her to feel down or abandoned. That should be an expected outcome when she decided to mingle in a place she didn't belong. A different world of Jayden's. One that was far different from hers. With a man who thought of her as nothing but a doctor disguising herself as his girlfriend for some stacks of papers. 

***