5: My Boyfriend

•~ Maya•~

“Coffee? Breakfast?” he asked, following me into the sitting room.

I groaned mentally.

“I don’t need anything from you,” I said, and he stepped in front of me, pasting a wide smile on his face—it made him look a little cute, unfortunately.

“You just saved my life. I should at least—”

“Look, just stop, okay? I’m not interested in whatever you have to give or what you want to do,” I said, and his expression dropped a little.

It should have made me feel bad, but I was too exhausted to feel anything anymore. It was time I stopped prioritizing others’ feelings over mine.

It was fucking time I did so.

I gave a small nod and took a step back, running my fingers through my hair.

“Thank you for letting me stay the night. I’ll just freshen up and be out of your space,” I muttered before I turned around, grabbed the bag where I’d put my toiletries earlier, and walked toward the staircase.

I stopped dead in my tracks and muttered a curse under my breath before I turned back to face him.

He raised a brow.

“Where’s the bathroom?” I asked, and he huffed, dropping his head before he stared at me.

“Upstairs. In my bedroom,” he said, and I pressed my lips together. Of course, this place had just one room and bathroom.

I was told that when I thought I was getting a place. It sounded romantic at the time.

“Cool. Can I make use of it?” I asked, and he chuckled.

“Well, you were going to get out of my space,” he said, and I rolled my eyes before walking up the staircase.

I got to the bathroom and stopped myself from ogling the view his bedroom got—a clear view of the ocean glittering under the sun.

A pang of jealousy went through my heart.

I did my stuff, changed into fresh clothes, and tied my hair into a bun before stepping out of the room and moving downstairs.

He was seated on the couch, legs crossed, watching a show. Really? All he did was watch TV?

I clutched my bag.

“I’m done,” I announced, and his eyes snapped to me. They roamed my face curiously, with some other emotion I couldn’t pinpoint.

It made me uncomfortable. I wasn’t the finest of them all, and being the object of spectacle of my high school bully didn’t exactly sit right with me.

“I see,” his voice was low, and a cloudy expression crossed his face before he stood up and switched off the TV.

“Great. Let’s go,” he muttered, and I frowned.

“What?”

He raised a brow, glancing around.

“I’ll help you find a place to stay,” he said, and my frown only deepened. Something wasn’t right.

“No, I don’t… you shouldn’t,” I said and took another step back. He shrugged, grabbed my luggage, and walked toward the door, glancing at me from over his shoulder.

“I’m not leaving you with a choice, pookie. Let’s get going,” he said, winked at me, and walked out of the room, leaving the door open.

I blinked.

Was this his new tactic? Act sickeningly sweet just to show his monster side?

I walked out of the door—because he was with my suitcase, obviously.

He was already down the hill, waving down a cab. Goddamn it.

Doesn’t he know when to take a cue and back the fuck off?

A cab stopped in front of him, and he glanced up at me.

“Come on,” he yelled, loud enough for me to hear him

I scoffed before walking down the hill and climbing into the cab.

This journey was going to be awkward, no doubt, but it wouldn’t hurt having company, even if that’s my nemesis.

High school bully.

And just as I expected, it was awkward, with Liam trying to make talks every now and then, which I either ignored or gave a one-word reply.

“Sorry. We’re fully booked,” the receptionist said and gave me a small, warm smile. The last hope I had of getting a room in Tuscany vanished.

Liam stepped up.

“Do let us know when there’s a space available,” he said, and she nodded, batting her lashes at him. Either he didn’t notice or he pretended not to care.

He scribbled his number on a piece of paper and handed it to her.

“Call me,” he said, flashing her a smile. I rolled my eyes as he grabbed my suitcase and walked out of the hotel. I followed behind him.

“Did you not notice she was flirting with you?” I asked, and he glanced at me as people walked past us.

Obviously, this was some kind of busy environment.

“So you’re going to talk to me now because of a woman?” he asked, and I huffed, looking away and tucking my hair behind my ear.

“Forget it,” I muttered, my eyes scanning the faces and taking in their dress styles. I didn’t have a place to crash again tonight, and I knew I was left with two options.

Either return to America—which I didn’t want to right now—or ask Liam to let me stay with him. Both options sucked, by the way.

If I went back, I’d be giving them the satisfaction. If I asked Liam, I’d owe him.

“If she’s interested in me, we could very much hit it off. She doesn’t look bad and, by the way, what would you do about—”

He was saying, but my body froze. A familiar face—if not faces—appeared in my line of sight.

Please tell me I was just dreaming and my mind was playing some kind of tricks on me.

Because right there was Jenny, and next to her was—Tom. And oh, she said something to him, smiled, and started walking up to me.

I glanced at Liam.

“Let’s go,” I started, walking away but not quick enough to catch the frown that appeared on his face.

“Hey, what? I called a ride… we have to wait,” he muttered, falling in step beside me.

“Wait if you must, I need to leave,” I said, and he stepped in front of me so abruptly I almost ran into him.

I scowled and glared at him.

“What’s going on? I mean…”

“Hi, there,” her mocking voice came through, and my scowl deepened despite how fast my heart was racing in my chest.

Trust her to rub salt in my wound. She knew I’d be here. I’d asked her for suggestions and told her my plans.

So yeah, she dragged him here with hopes of finding me—and she did.

Liam’s eyes darted behind me, and he raised a brow. Of course, he recognized her. Queen Jenny.

I turned around to stare at the both of them, and my eyes met Tom’s. He kinda had a somber expression on his face.

My chest tightened, and I looked away, making sure my expression gave nothing out.

Jenny narrowed her eyes at Liam, probably trying to figure out where she’d known him from.

Liam said nothing, and Jenny gasped.

“Liam Carter? Oh my God, it’s been so long,” she muttered, taking a step closer and then stopped, remembering I was there.

She stared at me and sneered.

“You came to Italy after all,” she huffed, and I didn’t miss the mockery in her tone. She gave me a once-over and scrunched her nose up before her eyes darted to Liam.

“What are you doing with—her? It’s been so long, we should catch up sometime,” she said, and Tom shifted uncomfortably.

Liam was way more handsome than him, and I know he was worried she might just leave him—absolutely something she could do.

Liam remained silent. Oh, I forgot… he and Jenny always butted heads back then in school. Safe to say, he wasn’t a huge fan of her. Not like I care anyway.

She gave a fake smile once she realized he wasn’t going to respond before turning to me.

“We’re engaged. Mum would like to see you when you’re back,” she said, and her grin widened while I felt irritated? Angry? Hurt?

I couldn’t place it.

She took a couple of steps closer to me.

“He won’t like you. Pathetic that you’re trying to hook up with a guy that showed just how much he hates you in high school,” she whispered, and I felt something at that moment.

That she couldn’t see past my looks? Belittled me? Thinks every good thing is for her?

That led to me blurting out the first thing that came to my mind.

“He’s my date, actually,” I said, and the surprise on her face was so worth it. I lifted my chin and straightened my shoulders, very much aware of how both Tom and Liam were staring at me.

One was shocked, and the other confused.

“Yeah. Liam Carter is my boyfriend.”