HER CHOICE

“Are you ready to let loose tonight?” Her best friend of 15 years Mia asked. Amaya was excited to get out as she didn’t go out with her friends often. She had gotten used to being a homebody and only going to events with her fiancé.

She had always been an outgoing person but her fiancé James had mostly affected her and had her going out with friends seem like a taboo. He had introduced her into the ‘high society’ and had organised etiquette training for her. She had started to feel lost lately. She cared dearly for Liam, however she felt like she was losing a part of her by trying to fit in with him and his lifestyle.

Hence she was ecstatic when she received the call from Mia asking her to come out for a night of fun to celebrate her promotion. She was really happy for her friend as she had worked hard to get to where she was today. She and Mia both studied public relations and had worked for rival companies. Mia had joined Cobult Entertainment and Amaya had joined Liam’s company Blue Entertainment.

Both had worked hard and been promoted to director’s positions in the respective companies. Amaya had met James through a work function. They had been introduced by her then supervisor, who then left after the introduction. They were talking non stop and had talked about the artists in the company and their futures. James had asked her for her number and they started chatting to each other. He asked her out on a date, she agreed. On their first date out he took her to a posh restaurant, he was very gentlemanly, very demure. She was blown away by the way he treated her. He was different from the guys she dated before, he was interested in what she had to say. He listened intently and she could tell he was giving thought into what she was saying before he responded.

He treated her with a kindness she never knew before. He was the type of guy one could take home to your parents. He would open doors, walk on the outside so she was shielded from the road. He would hold her bag without any sign of embarrassment, he was a very good dependable guy and she was happy she found him. He was so different from the guys she had dated before. She had dated al kinds of guys trying to get over her first love, ‘the one that got away’.

“Yes, definitely! Haven’t been to the club in ages. Don’t know if I still have it in me to party al night. But I will do my best to keep up with you.” She responded to Mia. “You act like you have been out of the scene for years, when it has literally been a few months. Seems your fiancé has been running a tight ship.” Amaya looked at Mia and stuck her tongue out at her. Mia laughed at that. “ No use pulling that face with me. Right is right. You know I love you, hey?” She pulled Amaya in for a hug. “I missed you, my friend” “I missed you, too.” Amaya responded. “Let’s go.”

At Stars the night club, they were moved to the VIP area, as they had booked the box beforehand. Just as they were about to go into the box, a male voice called out “Amaya! Amaya is that you?” Amaya froze, it couldn’t be! The oh so familiar voice made memories flood her mind. She hadn’t heard that voice in years. She could feel the heat of the person standing behind her. She felt her mouth drying up, every part of her body was on high alert. Her heart was pounding hard in her chest as if it wanted to jump out at the person behind her.

Her mind went blank. What should she do? She can’t avoid him but she couldn’t talk to him. What did he want from her? It’s been years since they last saw each other. Never would she have expected that she would run into him and here of all places. She needed to get a grip on her emotions. She was an adult now. No longer that young girl seeing her first love. He has always had that kind of power over her. She is engaged, yes! Engaged to a wonderfully sweet guy. She can’t allow Alex to mess that up for her.

Mia turned to Amaya and mouthed ‘are you okay?’ Mia had been there after the breakup she knew how broken she was. Amaya thought she had healed completely but seeing him brought up all those old feelings. She had so many questions. Why did he leave? Why couldn’t they work things out? Why is he here now? She took a deep breath. Put a smile on her face, turned to him. “Alex, long time no see.” There he was towering over her, a boyish smile on his face. A beautiful sweet smile that knocked the wind out of her. Those… Uh… Lips… She needed to get herself together. Shifting her eyes upwards, his pointed nose, smouldering green eyes. She always used to get lost in those eyes. It was like they spoke their own language, only she could understand.

“Maya, I missed you.” He looked deep into her eyes like he was searching for something. What he was looking for she had no idea. He stepped forward, bent down and reached out to her and half picked her up as he embraced her. His scent engulfed her, he smelled amazing, like cedar and sandalwood. She felt his hard body pushed tight against her. Her body was on fire, all senses in her body were heightened, every sinew in her body awakened at his touch. “I never thought I would be able to see you again.” He said as the sound of his voice vibrated through her body. He was infighting a fire she needed to extinguish. He put her back down, she grabbed onto Mia for support as she felt her knees buckling beneath her. He took a step back eyeing her from top to bottom and back up into her eyes. His gaze entrapped hers. She needed t get away from him as soon as possible!

“Maya, I know what I did back then was heartless. My wording and actions were unforgivable however, I never stopped loving you. I had my reasons for doing what I did. I can explain everything to you. Please?” She looked him square in the eyes and said” What’s happened has already happened, we can’t go back to how things were. I loved you before but that chapter has long been closed. I don’t need your explanations, save it for someone who cares.” “Maya, please just give me a chance. All I ask is for a few minutes.” “You had ten years, Alex. Ten full years!” She turned to Mia “Let’s go, I don’t want to be here anymore. They turned and headed for the door.

The cold air was a stark contrast to the heat of the rush of anger coursing through her veins. She felt like she needed to get as far from there, far from him as possible and fast. She hated how her body reacted to him. She hated how after all these years she still had feelings for him. She had waited for that moment for a long time and it’s crazy how she had imagined so many scenarios, yet when he was there she just froze. “Maya, please give me a chance to explain what happened. Why I needed to leave.” He pleaded with her. She wanted space. “I don’t want to talk right now.” She started shaking with anger. “Maya, please calm down. I need you to hear me out. Just ten minutes is all I ask. Please?” She made the mistake of looking up at him, his gaze had an earnest plea. She caved. “Fine, but not right now. I need to clear my head first.” His eyes lit up, he inched closer. “Give me your number. I will call you to set up a meeting.” He took out his phone and handed it to her. She took it and put in her number.