CHAPTER 009: MAYA’S POV

Work for him?!”

How could he have thought of that? Was he looking for possible ways to kill me faster?

I dashed out of the hall before I could change my mind. The air outside flushed my skin instantly. I never knew I was choking in there. Heels clicked steadily as I moved like a whirlwind through the driveway. How could he even suggest that?

Didn’t he understand what that meant? Didn’t he understand what Gabriel was capable of?

A tight breath left my chest as I hurried toward the parking lot, my thoughts racing faster than my steps. Gabriel didn’t need much to react, he didn’t need proof, nor did he need any reason. If he decided I had crossed a line, I knew exactly what he would do.

And my mother… He could go after her. My jaw clenched hard. That alone was enough to make my stomach twist.

The parking lot was right before me, dimly lit by lights from nearby tall buildings, cars lined in neat rows. Some engines were already humming as some guests were already on their way home. But not Evelyn, I knew she had seen me bolt out of the hall.

I didn’t slow down. I walked steadily, not until a sharp snap. My body jerked forward slightly, balance shifting as something gave way beneath my foot.

I froze, my eyes glanced at my feet. The strap of my heel dangled loosely, completely broken.

“Great,” I muttered under my breath, a bitter laugh escaping me. Of course, tonight will just keep getting better.

I bent slightly, slipping the shoe off my foot, then the other, gripping both in one hand. The cold ground pressed against my bare feet as I straightened, ignoring the discomfort as I limped forward.

My mouth pouted tightly. A bad shoe in hand, a deep scar in heart, and the words of a man who seemed like all he wanted to do was cause more chaos for me, in my mind.

A little relief flickered briefly in my chest as I finally reached Evelyn’s navy Sedan. All I had to do was pray she realized I was waiting.

I needed to leave as soon as possible. I pushed off the car, pulling my phone out of my clutch, maybe she hadn't seen me run out of the hall as I thought. A call would let her know I was by the car, waiting.

I tapped the screen, but light didn't come up, the screen remained black, dead. My brows furrowed. I pressed harder against the button, still nothing. The phone had gone off.

A hollow feeling dropped in my stomach. A sharp sigh tore out of me as I shoved the gadget back into the purse, frustration bubbling over.

Without thinking, I hit the trunk of the car hard. Pain shot through my hand instantly, I had sprained a muscle.

“Damn it!” I gasped. Jaw tight. I jerked my hand back.

As if tonight wasn’t already bad enough, a low rumble rolled across the sky. I darted my eyes to the sky, the clouds moved in a certain direction. An autumn rain?!

“No way…” I whispered, disbelief grounding me already.

Why has every bad thing chosen tonight to occur?

I exhaled sharply, dragging a hand through my hair.

Evelyn was still inside, probably laughing too loudly, drinking as if her life depended on it, completely unaware that the sky was about to open up. Especially when she was with James, I pressed my lips together.

Of course, she would be with him, I had seen the way she leaned into him earlier, the way she looped her hand through his and drank from her cup.

The colleague she had always referred to as ‘Hot Rod’. When I asked what they were,

“A girl should have fun,” that was all it was to her, yet her eyes glistened each time she was with him.

I huffed quietly. Soon, guests started trooping out of the hall, I exhaled softly. Stretched my neck, there she was.

Walking out of the hall like she owned the night, her arm looped through James’s, her steps slightly uneven.

Even from where I stood, I could tell she was drunk. I straightened, watching as they approached. Her face lit up the moment she saw me.

“Maya!” she called, pulling away from James as she made her way toward me. The scent of alcohol hit me once.

“Girl,” she slurred, “you didn’t tell me you knew my new boss.”

My eyes widened. “Your… Boss?” I stammered. She paused, just peering into my eyes.

“Williams Banks is your new boss?” I asked, my voice lower now.

“Yes!” she said, nodding a bit too eagerly. “Anyway…” She waved her hand dismissively, already losing focus. “I’m spending the night with ‘Hot Rod’.”

She giggled as she shoved the car keys into my hand. “Drive yourself, you know where to find the keys when you get home.”

My lips parted, ready to say something, to ask why she brought me to this event only to follow a man home, but she didn’t give me the chance.

“You owe me some hot gists,” she blurted out, already turning away.

“Evelyn…” I called out, but it was already too late, she was already walking back toward James, who sat in his car, headlights blinking, waiting! Before I could say one more word, his car zoomed past me. They were gone.

I let out a slow breath, my fingers tightening around the keys.

“Unbelievable,” I muttered under my breath. She dragged me here… only to leave me stranded. The rumbling of thunder was becoming stronger now, several cars swept past me.

I slid into the driver’s side tossing my clutch and shoes onto the passenger’s seat, fastened the seatbelt, and pulled the door shut.

Then I gripped the steering wheel for a second before pressing the ignition button. The engine rattled low, then died instantly. I frowned.

I tried a few more times, the engine dies the same way, a tight feeling crept into my chest.

“No… no, no, no…” My grip on the wheel tightened. “Not tonight, Satan!” I snapped, the words fell out louder than I had imagined.

Silence answered me each time I tried. There was no way to call Evelyn, no way to call anyone, or to get a ride. My chest rose and fell unevenly as I sat there for a second, staring ahead.

Then I let out a sharp breath, pushing the door open again, my bare feet hit the ground. The first drops of rain touched my skin, it was lighter at first, then more.

I stepped away from the car, glancing around. Only a few cars remained in the parking lot. I ran a hand through my hair. I had run out of options.

Then an idea struck! I could flag someone down.

Yes, that was the only option left. I moved quickly toward the exit gate, bare feet pressing against the rough ground, but that would only be the tip of the iceberg by the time I was left alone in this god-forsaken place.

By the time I reached the gate, the rain had picked up slightly, droplets clinging to my arms, dampening my hair, my dress.

I waved both hands. A few hours ago, I was looking like an artwork drawn out of a fashion magazine, but here I was, looking like a mini madwoman.

The first car passed without slowing, then the second. My jaw tightened, hopes were crashing right before me. My sprained muscles still hurt, yet I waved again.

“Just this one and maybe I will have to sleep in the car tonight,” I muttered. I knew how much of a bad idea that was, so I tried harder.

Headlights approached again. I stepped forward slightly, raising both hands, waving with more urgency, all the strength in me put to work.

Then the car slowed. Relief rushed through me so fast I almost sagged.

It was a sleek black SUV, so shiny in the dark, too clean, too expensive to belong to just anybody or just the staff at TerraNova. But what’s important was that I left this place that was beginning to feel awkward.

I exhaled loudly, already moving toward the driver’s side. Rain dotted my skin as I leaned slightly toward the window, words tumbling out faster than I could control.

“My car… It won’t start, and my phone is dead and I just need, I mean, if you could just help me or drop me somewhere, I…” I stopped. I wasn’t making any sense even to my own hearing.

“Speak to my boss.” The driver, a middle-aged man, said, head swiping to the back.

My brows pulled together.

His boss? Wasn’t he…?

Before I could say any more words, the back window rolled down slowly. My breath caught.

Williams Banks sat inside, relaxed, composed, like the rain, the night, none of it touched him. Of course, they didn’t.

For a second, I couldn’t speak. His gaze met mine. soft eyes against mine, like he was sorry for the rain, like he was sorry I was stranded. Yet, his words fell out cold.

“Get in,” he said.