A Room Full Of Tension

Chapter Four: A Room Full of Tension

Maya's Pov 

I stepped into the hotel room, feeling an overwhelming sense of exhaustion wash over me. The soft hum of the air conditioner and the faint scent of disinfectant filled the air, but I couldn't shake off the tension that had been building up all evening.

I knew I had acted impulsively, but today's events had stirred up all the frustrations I'd kept bottled inside. I had long noticed Brandy's subtle provocations, but Larry had remained calm and indifferent, seemingly blind to everything.

I figured now was as good a time as any to lay everything out with Larry and finally end this contract marriage. But I waited. And waited. Larry didn't come.

Finally, I got up, splashed some water on my face, and put on my clothes, ready to leave. Just as I was about to step out, Larry walked in, reeking of alcohol.

"Where are you going?" he asked, his voice slurred.

I looked at him coldly. "Where I go is none of your business. You have Brandy to worry about." 

"Don't talk about her like that." He snapped. 

"I will talk about her however I want, Larry." I snapped back. "You can't stop me."

Larry stood at the door, blocking my path. "Stop being difficult. Just try to understand her situation. After you left, she was really in pain, thinking she said something to hurt you."

My emotions rose, and I retorted, "Yeah, didn't she? And are you asking me to go back and apologize to her?"

Larry frowned but kept his voice steady. "She just lost her husband who was my good friend by the way. She's sensitive right now. She didn't mean any harm. You know her situation. Why can't you be a little more understanding?"

My tone grew colder. "Understanding? Is that why you spend nights at the hospital with her—because you 'understand' her? Sorry, but I'm not going to be understanding. She's your first love, not mine. I'm just wondering, is she so broke she can't even afford a nurse?"

Larry's expression darkened. "What kind of talk is that? Not everything can be fixed with money like you think."

I froze, a sharp pang in my chest. My cold smile widened, my eyes now cutting. There was a trace of hurt in my voice. "So that's how you see me? These past three years…it was all in my head, huh? Anyway, it's time we—"

Before I could say the word "divorce," Larry interrupted me. His eyes darkened with a sudden, dangerous intensity as he stepped closer, pulling me roughly into his arms and kissing me hard.

I was caught off guard, trying to push him away, but he was too strong. I struggled, gasping, "What's wrong with you?"

I raised my hand to slap him, but Larry grabbed my wrist, pinning me in place. He didn't let go. Instead, he pulled me even closer, his voice a low whisper filled with something raw. "Why can't you understand…"

Just then, a knock on the door shattered the tension in the room. Larry stopped, turning his head toward the door. I seized the moment to push him away with all my strength, retreating a few steps, breathless.

Brandy knocked again, her voice soft. "Are you two in there? Can I come in?"

My voice was hoarse. "Yes, come in."

Brandy entered, holding a blanket, her face full of concern. She looked around, quickly noticing Larry wasn't in the room. "Where's Larry?" she asked sweetly.

I pointed toward the bathroom. "He's taking a shower."

Brandy's eyes briefly flickered to the marks on my neck, but she quickly hid her expression and smiled brightly. "I saw you were staying here, and I was worried you'd get cold at night. I brought you a blanket so you wouldn't freeze."

I glanced at the blanket in Brandy's hands and smiled faintly. "I didn't realize you'd taken up a job in hotel services."

Brandy's smile faltered for a second but quickly returned to her usual delicate expression. "You misunderstand. I was just worried about you both. Also, about what I said earlier at dinner, please don't take it to heart. If I offended you, I'm really sorry. It wasn't intentional."

I raised an eyebrow. "Don't take it to heart? So, Larry didn't spend every night taking care of you?"

Brandy dodged the question, her voice softening. "Do you dislike me? Why are you always so harsh toward me? I know people see me, a widow, as bad luck, but I didn't think you were that kind of person…"

I cut her off. "No, I don't think that. You should take care of yourself and stop overthinking."

Brandy's eyes filled with tears again. "If you really don't hate me, then why are you always so angry with me? You're making things hard for Larry. You might not know this, but Larry's been heartbroken ever since my Darey passed. They were very good friends and he's hurting. He just doesn't show it in front of you. Please don't make things harder for him."

I chuckled softly, standing up and walking closer to Brandy. "You really are something else." I leaned in and whispered, "You love to play the victim, but I don't. Stay out of our business. You'd have to remarry and become his stepmother before you'd have any right to interfere. And by the way, his mother is still very much alive, so why don't you deal with her instead of me?"

Brandy's smile vanished, and for the briefest moment, anger flashed in her eyes. But she quickly masked it with her usual fragile demeanor. She stepped closer to me, reaching out to grab my hand, her expression calculating. "I never meant to upset you. Can't we not fight like this?"

I looked at Brandy's outstretched hand with disgust and said coldly, "Don't touch me." I yanked my hand away, but Brandy took the opportunity to push me hard, causing me to stumble. Brandy then deliberately let herself fall to the ground with a loud cry of pain.

Larry, hearing the commotion, rushed out of the bathroom. He saw Brandy lying on the floor and me standing there silently. His face darkened instantly, and he strode over to Brandy, helping her up. His voice was harsh as he demanded, looking at me. "What did you do?"

I shut my eyes and opened them almost immediately, my old ankle injury flaring up from Brandy's shove, i winced as pain shot through me. I could barely speak, my body drenched in cold sweat. 

Brandy, looking at me with fear, whispered, "I'm sorry, I think it was my fault. Maya didn't do anything..."

Larry ignored me, scooping Brandy up in his arms in a bridal carry and heading straight for the door. I watched, my heart heavy with emotion, as they left the room. The door closed behind them with a soft click, leaving me alone in the silence.