Page 12

Luckily, the mansion was dark and quiet inside. Everyone was probably already asleep.

I turned on a small light and hurried to the fridge. I grabbed a glass, poured some water, and handed it to Nick, who was taking his time walking over to me.

His relaxed mood is making me nervous.

"Thank you, Grace." He took the glass from my hand, but instead of drinking, he grabbed my wrist and leaned in closer to my lips, a smug look on his face.

"You know, Grace, this night doesn't need to end, right? Let's—"

Nick was cut off mid-sentence, by a sudden low growl.

I instantly spun around.

It was Maya's dog.

My nerves were already on edge, just from what I thought Nick was about to say, and now this...

Caught off guard, I instinctively leaned back. Nick's eyes narrowed, irritated, as if he was trying to figure things out.

I never thought her dog was the 'guardian' type—he was sweet with me this morning.

A sudden teasing laugh cut off the tension.

I looked up, already sensing who was behind all of this.

Maya was there.

Standing on the stairs, arms crossed, in the same CASUAL outfit I left her in.

But for once, she looked less put together—her long hair slightly messy as if she had run her fingers through it multiple times.

Her eyes flickered between her dog and Nick, smirking as if it was very amusing to her.

"Your dog is attacking us!" I admonished her.

She let out a sigh, but it was more of a dramatic exhale. One of those she'd mastered by now.

"Not attacking you, only the book-boy," she corrected me.

I carefully stepped forward and realized she was right, her dog's attention wasn't on me—but on Nick.

Nick mirrored my movement, but the dog growled even louder, causing him to stop in his tracks.

Shit.

"Make him stop Maya!" I exclaimed.

She rolled her eyes, clearly unimpressed.

"She's a girl."

"Make her stop! Now!"

Maya ignored me and leaned against the railing of the stairs, her expression showing no sign of interest, apart from amusement or irritation.

"Oh, relax, she won't bite... unless I tell her to. She's just making a point," Maya said, her voice mocking and threatening as she watched Nick's reaction.

Nick sneered, "Yeah? Well, tell her not to make a point with me, or I will." His voice dark with irritation.

"Will you, though?" Maya laughed, clearly daring him.

This situation wasn't going anywhere.

They were just pushing each other's buttons.

I was starting to get really nervous.

"Make her stop, Maya..." I cut in. Her eyes shifted to me, finally getting her attention. "Please, make her stop..." My voice dropped to a whisper, cracking with panic.

And something seemed to switch in her.

"Leave the glass slowly, book-boy," she suggested, still entertained.

"You've got to be kidding me!" Nick protested, refusing to take orders from her.

Shit, the dog was barking now...

Nick's expression darkened, realizing he had no other option. Reluctantly, he set the glass down on the table.

"Now turn around, very slowly, Nick, or she's going to attack you." Her voice low and steady, clearly enjoying the power she had in the moment.

That was next-level crazy... my heart's racing.

"You want to keep playing, go ahead," he scoffed, his tone full of defiance. "You really think you can scare me?"

"Definitely. You're not in a good situation right now," Maya replied calmly.

Nick stiffened, shooting her a deadly glare before turning away. His movements deliberate, but his body language suggested he was actually intimidated.

"I'll see you soon, Grace. She tried, but we still had a great night," he said, his voice slow and clear.

I shot Maya a glance—she was watching the whole scene with an icy expression, her arms tightening over her chest.

Nick grinned and closed the door behind him. The dog stopped growling and walked over to me, wagging her tail.

I have no doubt that the whole purpose of Maya's act was to kick Nick out of her house.

I bent down to pet her dog.

"I see your dog is well trained," I muttered nervously.

"She is," she replied, unfazed.

"Happy now?" I asked rhetorically.

"Definitely."

I abruptly raised myself up. "You can't help but mess with me, can you?"

"I guess I can't resist a little fun," she said sarcastically, though there was something uneasy in her voice.

I walked past her, starting up the stairs, but I couldn't shake the heavy weight in my chest.

"Was this whole act really necessary?!" I snapped.

"What? Did I ruin your precious night?" she shot back.

I kept walking, forcing myself not to look back at her, but I could feel her eyes on me as she followed me upstairs.

"It's not about the damn night. Seriously, Maya, just drop it," I muttered, my hand gripping tightly the doorknob of my room.

She stopped a few feet behind me, her breath suddenly shallow and quick.

"Drop what? You two have a thing going on?" she snapped.

I let out a frustrated breath, turning to face her. "Why does it even matter to you?"

Her lips pressed together, forced. She just looked at me—her eyes piercing into my soul.

"Exactly," I said.

I was about to get in my room, but Maya suddenly spoke—

"You like assholes who get off on ruining people's lives, huh?" she asked rhetorically, her hands turning into fists.

My eyes widened, my stomach dropped.

"What are you talking about?"

"I bet he took you to some fancy, fake restaurant and bragged about how great he is with motorcycles and baseball," her tone sharpened, more serious than ever.

Her eyes searched mine, dark with hesitation, with something unspoken lingering, while I stood there, shocked.

"You really want this?" her voice lowered, unsure.

"I—" my voice faltered. "How—how do you—"

"You are so naive," she cut me off.

It didn't sound like a real scolding, but more like a mix of disappointment and anger.

And that's when I couldn't take it anymore.

"Better than your selfish way of seeing things, Maya," I shot back. "Do you ever think about anyone but yourself?"

The words lingered in the air, heavier than I intended.

Maya didn't say anything, her jaw clenched, but her gaze avoided mine, as if the words stung more than she expected.

Instantly, guilt hit me, and I walked into my room, closing the door behind me.

My pulse pounded as I pressed my back against the door, realizing that my words slipped out before I could stop them.

I regretted it.

Maya makes me lose my usual control, something that unsettles me more than I'd like to admit.

She's like this force I can't control. And I hate how much I care. I didn't ask for this. I didn't ask to feel like I need her approval or attention, but here I am.

I need to make it stop, even though I don't want to.

I took a hot shower, feeling nothing but the warmth of the water. Then, I brushed my hair—it's how I find comfort.

Finally, I got into bed, but I couldn't stop tossing and turning, unable to find peace.

How does Maya know so much about Nick? And what did she mean when she said he ruined people's lives?

It feels like there's a WHOLE story I didn't know.

When it comes to Nick, ALL I realized was how he never gave me a choice tonight.

And how he didn't even ask me anything about my life—he just talked about himself.

Maybe I am being a little naive.

Once again, Maya made her personal spotlight in my mind.

It's a ruined night... but it's more than that. It's like I can't escape it.

Fuck.

A/N

This is going to be a VERY slow burn, just how I like it. ??

Until the next chapter SOON!??