It had been three weeks since Dad's burial and two months since his death. I was back in Mafer now with Christi; I couldn't possibly leave her behind since she had known only my family all her life. The investigation was ongoing, but it seemed to be stalled. There were no CCTV recordings of anyone entering or exiting Dad’s room—the killer had vanished into thin air. The hospital had agreed to take full responsibility for the incident and offered a settlement, but that wasn’t what I wanted. I needed to find the killer. Sitting at my desk, I felt helpless. Business hadn't been good because I had been away. I had thrown myself into work to keep my mind off my parents. "Hey, Maya," Christi said as she walked into my office. I looked up from my laptop. "Sup?" I replied, forcing a smile. "It's time to go; Kate is waiting for us," she said. "It's fine. you can go without me," I replied.
“It’s locked,” she said, concern on her face. I stepped forward, trying the handle myself but it didn’t budge. “Has she been moved?” I asked, I spotted a nurse passing by and called out, “Excuse me!” She stopped and looked at us. “Is this room occupied?” I asked . “Yes,” she replied, her brow furrowing slightly. “But why is it locked? We’re looking for our friend admitted to this room!” I said. The nurse tried the handle but shook her head. “Stand back; I’ll call security,” she said, hurrying down the hallway. I glanced through the glass; the bed was empty. What if something had happened to her? I pounded my fists against the door in frustration as Maimai started to cry, calling out for Maya. Minutes felt like hours u
How did I end up coming with MaiMai? It all started when I drove off from my house, feeling an impulse to be there for Maya. I drove straight to MaiMai's apartment, I had dropped her off a couple of times before so I knew the way well. As I parked my bike in front of her building, I hesitated, contemplating whether I should knock or just turn and leave. What could I possibly say to explain my sudden decision to join her? My thoughts tangled like a ball of yarn, and just when I thought I wouldn't be able to figure it out, the door swung open. There she was, MaiMai, emerging with a suitcase in tow, Juna dragging behind her. “Hi!” I said, forcing myself to sound normal “Hey, Alex!” she exclaimed, obviously surprised to see me there. “Have you heard from your friend Maya? I saw the news,” I said, trying to keep my tone as calm as possible. The evidence of her recent tears was unmistakable; her eyes were swollen and red. She nodded, a silent acknowledgment of the pain we bo
*Alex's POV*“Alex, is it true?” Eleanor’s voice broke into my thoughts, dragging me from my reverie.I dropped the glass I’d been holding,as they barged into my room uninvited. I glanced up, feeling overwhelmed by their presence, my mind replaying thoughts of Maya instead of whatever gossip they wanted to share.“Is it true about Maya’s dad?” Franklin asked, taking a seat on the couch opposite mine.I nodded, anger bubbling beneath the surface. I didn’t want to talk about it. I didn’t have the energy.“Then what are you still doing here?” Eleanor pressed, eyebrows raised. “I thought you said you loved her. Shouldn't you go to her?”If only they understood how desperately I wanted to be with Maya right now. But how could I explain that to her? What would I even say? “Mai Mai,” I murmured, suddenly struck by an idea. I shot up from my seat, grabbed my phone, and rushed to my wardrobe, tossing a few essentials into a small bag.“Hey, easy there, man! Where are you rushing off to?” Elea
***MAYA'S POV***My eyes fluttered open, struggling to adjust to the glaring light overhead. As the brightness faded into focus, I was met with stark white walls that felt more like a canvas hauntingly devoid of color. The sterile smell of antiseptic mixed with faint whiffs of medication filled the air, suffocating me. A nearby machine beeped in a steady rhythm, the sound foreign and mechanical. Suddenly, it all came rushing back.I shot up in bed, adrenaline coursing through me, only to feel a firm hand on my shoulder, gently but insistently pulling me back down. I turned to find Christi, her face etched with concern, eyes brimming with unshed tears.“Maya, please! You need to rest,” she urged, her voice trembling slightly.Tears began to well up in my eyes. My head was pounding, each throb a reminder of the unbearable truth: my dad—my rock, my unwavering support—was gone. How could I exist in a world where he was no longer? The very thought felt like a tidal wave crashing over me.
**ALEX POV**“How much is the budget for the project?” I asked Melina, my secretary, who stood confidently at the head of the conference table, presenting our next automobile project analysis.“Sir, according to our estimates, it will cost around three hundred thousand dollars to kick-start the project,” she replied, her voice steady.I leaned back in my chair, scanning the faces of the shareholders seated around the long, polished table in the conference room. All well-dressed, attentive, and ready for a decision.“What do we think about this?” I asked, letting my voice carry authority. “Let’s vote. Those in favor, raise your hands.”Hands went up across the room—every single one of them. I caught Adrian’s eye as he sat beside me, his hand raised too, flashing a quick smirk.Adrian,the son of the well known Backwood family. His family ran one of the top electronics companies in this region. Apart from being my closest friend, he was also my trusted business partner. The only one I co