CHAPTER 007: MAYA

“Maya!” He yelled still, banging loudly against the door. “You wouldn't open the door, right? You have just forty-eight hours! I give you forty-eight hours to get your sorry self back to the house or you have yourself to blame!” He threatened.

I sat still on the cold floor, Legs clasped together, knee to my chest. Each word he thundered left a stab in my chest. A deep, scathing stab. Then the thumping sound of his feet reached me, he was finally gone. Slowly, I crashed to the floor.

The pictures flashed back before my eyes. His lips tangled with Amila's. His hand resting at the small of her back like it belonged there. He had never held me that way. He had never kissed me so passionately.

He barely ever touched me, all he ever did was fling his tie to one corner, his shoes to the other, then he moved and placed his camera in a way that it could get every scene of me humping off on him.

That was the only way I could get him to send some money to my mother. If I ever denied him that silly pleasure, I would have the old woman suffer for it.

But there he was, his eyes softened for only her, his hand pressing her body to his hardness. I never knew what marriage was, because I was only a money-making, sex slave to Gabriel.

And now? Now that I want my freedom, he's blackmailing me. He's ruining me further. A loud cry tore out of my throat, my voice echoed loudly in my own ears as I sprawled out on the cold floor. Chest heaving, eyes bawling out.

******

A push on the door made me realise where I was. My body still lay flat against it. I had lost count of hours. I had fallen asleep right there on the floor. Then a much harder push against the door, I sprang to my feet. The room spun a little, I moved back and grabbed the couch, steadying myself.

Bright light flooded in through the open door, blinding me for a second, Evelyn stepped in.

“Gosh! Maya, what have you done to yourself?” She stood there, her eyes darting at me. “You look so… horrible. Were you lying on the cold floor?

I couldn't form any words. I moved and slumped into the couch. She let her handbag crash to the floor with a thud. Then she crouched before me.

“It's Gabriel again, right?” Her voice low.

“He was here, Eve. He's threatening me… He has my naughty videos… He's given me forty-eight hours to return to the mansion, or else he will have the gossip blogs singing.” My jaw tightened.

“That bastard!” She cursed. “He really has some nerve to show up here after everything… Did he say anything else to you?”

Her eyes widened a little at the last words, my brows drew together as I shook my head. Her shoulders relaxed.

“Well, before the forty-eight hours come, let's get you dressed.. My company is having a business dinner tonight,” her eyes brightened at the last sentence.

“Our new boss… He's hosting all the staff to a dinner for a job well done, and it's his first time addressing the entire staff since he took over the company. As you know, TerraNova won the Rising Architectural Company of the year awards,” her lips widened at once in a bright smile.

“Oh! Evelyn,” I drawled. “I have a bigger one to handle right here, and isn't the ceremony meant for your company staff only?” my voice broken, head tilted backward on the couch.

“That's the interesting part!” Her voice bounced. “We're allowed to bring in a plus one… And look at you, you really do look like you need alcohol in your system.” She was already pulling me off the couch.

“Let's live a little… Gabriel surely does need you so much to think of releasing any video. He wouldn't dare!” She added.

My knees wobbled as Evelyn guided me upstairs.

“Can I just stay home?” I mumbled.

“No way!” Evelyn would never back down, “Besides, I already spoke to the Head of Human Resources department, you need to start meeting your colleagues, don't you think?” she gushed.

Soon, I stood before the huge mirror, in a long, black velvet dress that softly brushed my ankles, the back dropping down on my waist, softly accentuating every curve.

The red strappy heels on my feet, catching the warm light in the room, hair swept up in a high bun such that the sharp outline of my jaw stood in full view. Shiny pearls rested softly against my collarbones.

Then I grabbed the red clutch purse sitting on the dresser. For a moment I looked like I had nothing to worry about. I couldn't remember the last time I dressed up so nicely. I had forgotten how I truly looked in anything else that's not pajamas and silky hair bonnets.

Not once did Gabriel think me worthy of such events. All events were strictly attended by just him, or maybe with Amila off course, while I worked my butts off for the growth of the same company he laid me off from.

I swallowed hard at the thought of that. Evelyn was right, I wasn't going to let him ruin tonight for me. I had given him too much of me, and all he did was drag me through the mud.

A small smile tugged at my lips. Truth is, I hadn't clearly heard where Evelyn said we were off to, but staring at the woman in the mirror, I told myself I was about to live a little.

“Oh My God!” Evelyn gushed as she pushed the door open, her black silk dress trailing behind her. “Aren't you a goddess, Maya? She stood in my face, eyes glistening.

By the time we arrived at the event, we had already missed the CEO's opening speech. All thanks to Evelyn who insisted on putting up some makeup on my face, and gushing at every little progress she made while at it.

The hall now buzzed with beautiful people making merry. It wasn't just a business dinner. It was grand. People swayed in and out of the hall, faces shining in the warm lights that fell from the ceiling, smiles wide enough.

Low music flowed from unseen speakers, couples swaying hand in hand to the soft music. Singles standing by the corner clinking glasses and laughing at everything and anything, rich fragrances swayed throughout the room, filling my nostrils.

My heart leapt, it was good mixing with people again, especially people of the same career. I stood by the corner, sipping on a glass of champagne that Evelyn had passed to me, while she floated through a sea of people, airkissing cheeks.

Then I felt it, a warm hand thrown around the small of my back. Goosebumps washed over me, a rich mix of cedarwood and cinnamon filled my nostrils, and went straight down into my lungs. My heart almost left my body. Who was bold enough to hold me in such a manner? I curled a fist.

My body tensed instantly, irritation rising within me before I even turned. “Excuse me…”

Then I turned. The words stopped.

It was Williams. Of all people! I blinked hard, Williams Banks stood in my face, in a perfect black tuxedo, his smile broadened the moment I met his dark blue eyes.

My breath caught, just for a second, my eyes locking with his. His hand didn’t move. If anything, it settled more comfortably, like he had every right to place it there.

“May I have a dance with you?” He whispered into my ear.