Meet my fiancée

CHAPTER THREE

The moment Maya stepped out of the car, her heart began pounding.

Daniel was standing a few feet away from her, exactly as she had imagined him for seven years and yet completely different from the man she remembered.

He looked older.

More mature.

His dark hair was slightly longer than she remembered, and the softness in his youthful features had been replaced by a sharper, more confident appearance. But his eyes were the same; those eyes had once been her home.

For several seconds, neither of them moved.

Then Daniel smiled.

“Maya.”

That was all it took; the tears she had been holding back spilled down her cheeks.

“Daniel.”

He crossed the distance between them and pulled her into his arms. Maya broke down against his chest.

He held her tightly, one hand cradling the back of her head as though he was afraid she might disappear again.

“I missed you,” he whispered.

“I missed you too.”

“Seven years.”

“I know.”

“I can't believe I'm finally holding you again.”

Maya closed her eyes. For one brief moment, everything disappeared.

No Adrian, no family pressure; there was only Daniel. The man she had loved all her life, the man she had waited seven years to see again.

Daniel pulled back slightly and held her face between his hands.

“You're still beautiful.”

Maya smiled through her tears.

“You look different.”

“Older?”

She laughed softly.

“More handsome.”

“I'll take that.”

He kissed her forehead.

“I've missed that smile.”

Maya's smile slowly faded.

She looked down; her wedding ring suddenly felt like it weighed a hundred pounds. Daniel noticed the change in her expression.

“What is it?”

“Nothing.”

“Maya.”

She forced a smile.

“I'm just overwhelmed.”

“I am too.”

He took her hand.

“Come on. I have so much to tell you.”

Maya nodded.

As they walked toward his car, she hesitated.

“Daniel…”

He turned.

“Hmm?”

There it was, the moment; she could tell him, she should tell him, she should say, Daniel, I got married this morning.

But the words refused to come, not yet, not after waiting seven years, not when he was looking at her as though she was the only person in the world.

“Nothing,” she whispered.

Daniel smiled.

“Come on.”

He opened the passenger door for her. Maya climbed inside. As he walked around the car, she quickly slipped her hand beneath her sleeve, hiding the wedding ring. She hated herself for doing it. But she needed time.

The drive through the city was filled with Daniel talking; he told her about the country he had been living in, the business he had built, the people he had met, and the challenges he had faced.

Maya listened quietly. Now and then, he reached for her hand; each time he did, guilt twisted inside her chest. Finally, Daniel glanced at her.

“You're unusually quiet.”

“I've just missed you.”

He smiled.

“I've missed you too.”

He brought her hand to his lips.

Maya looked away.

“There's something I want to do before we go home.”

“What?”

“I want you to meet someone.”

Her heart skipped.

“Who?”

“My best friend.”

Maya's stomach tightened.

“Your best friend?”

“Yes.”

“You've never told me much about him.”

“I know.”

Daniel smiled.

“You'll like him.”

Maya stared out of the window.

“I'm sure I will.”

“He's practically my brother.”

“Daniel, can we meet him another time? I really need to talk to you about something.”

He glanced at her and slowed the car.

“What is it?”

“I just…”

He smiled.

“You'll meet him eventually.”

Maya's fingers curled tightly around the fabric of her dress.

“Daniel…”

“Yes, babe, are you okay?”

She looked at him; she almost told him, but the words stayed trapped in her throat.

“I've just had a long day.”

“I know.”

He squeezed her hand.

“That's why I'll make it easy for you.”

Maya gave him a weak smile. She had no idea that the next few minutes were about to destroy the fragile peace she had been holding onto.

Adrian's house was quiet when the car pulled into the driveway.

He had returned home from the honeymoon suite less than an hour ago and had sent Maya his house address in case she wanted to come back.

He was standing in the living room, staring at his phone.

Daniel's words from their earlier conversation kept replaying in his head.

You'll soon get to know her.

Adrian shook his head.

He couldn't understand why he kept thinking about Maya. She had been gone for hours; she had gone to see the man she loved

A knock sounded at the door; Adrian smiled. He was expecting Daniel, just not so soon.

He walked toward the entrance; another knock.

“Coming.”

He opened the door and went still. Maya stood on the other side. His wife.

The woman who had left his house hours ago to meet the man she loved, she stood beside a tall man whose hand was wrapped possessively around hers.

Adrian's eyes dropped to their joined hands.

Then slowly rose to Maya's face; she looked terrified. Adrian's heart slammed against his chest.

“Daniel?”

The man beside Maya smiled.

“Bro!”

Daniel stepped forward and pulled Adrian into a hug. Adrian barely responded; his eyes remained fixed on Maya.

Daniel pulled away, completely unaware of the storm on his best friend's face.

He turned toward Maya with a proud smile.

“Hey, bro…”

He placed an arm around Maya's shoulders.

“Meet my fiancée, Maya.”

Silence.

Adrian stared at her.

Maya couldn't breathe. Daniel looked between them, completely unaware that the two people standing in front of him already knew each other far too well.

Adrian's expression slowly hardened.

His wife.

His best friend's fiancée.?

And suddenly, the marriage he had believed was merely a business arrangement became something neither of them could escape.