Page 19

Needless to say, I had a rough night.

I battled to close my eyes, but my mind kept running, not letting me escape.

I took a cold shower to fucking clear my head and prepare my body for the worst.

Then I started getting dressed: pulling on a fitted, dark t-shirt and sliding into black high-waisted jeans. And, of course, my beloved Louboutins.

It was barely 8 a.m. when I left my room, glancing at Grace's closed door. My chest tightened, and I quickly looked away.

I headed downstairs and made myself a dark coffee when Nelly walked over to me.

"Morning dear. You have to go to the community center?"

"No, Nelly. Actually... I've got other plans this morning," I said with a smirk.

"Hopefully nothing dangerous," she eyed me suspiciously.

"Not for me," I replied, my smile growing more amused.

Nelly looked right into my eyes, her gaze suddenly full of concern. "You don't look like you've rested at all."

I guess my dark makeup didn't do the trick.

I stayed silent at her valid assumption, sipping my coffee until I couldn't hold back any longer.

"Nelly, why do I always act like I don't care about anything or anyone?"

She smiled softly, shaking her head. "You care, Maya. You care about everything. But you're scared to admit, or you don't want to show it because it makes you feel vulnerable."

I lowered my gaze, not liking how right she was.

Nelly gently patted my shoulder. "Maybe you need to give yourself some time, and accept it..."

I didn't get what that was supposed to mean, or I was simply choosing to ignore it.

Really, this woman knows me so well...

"I'm going for a walk," I said, getting up. "Thanks for listening, Nelly." I hugged her before walking out.

I also grabbed my black leather jacket, feeling in the mood for it.

It's such a beautiful day to waste.

I should take a walk around the city—and stop by a certain library.

~

I'm standing in front of the library—and I swear I have zero good intentions.

I didn't hesitate.

I walked in, my eyes scanning the room until they easily landed on that asshole.

Just as I thought.

Nick saw me, and his face instantly twisted with anger, but he tried to play it cool. Pathetic.

I stormed up to him, cutting him off before he could even get a word out.

"It's such a beautiful day, and here you are, stuck in a library, huh, Nick?" I said, my voice dripping with sarcasm.

Of course, I made that comment on purpose.

"What the hell do you want, Russell?" His voice laced with pure irritation.

"You made me lose my fucking patience," I seethed.

He looked completely unfazed, which only fueled my anger.

"And why's that? I have no idea what you're talking about." A smirk on his stupid face.

"Don't even try to twist this around. You know exactly what you did, asshole," I hissed.

Nick leaned back in his chair with a scoff, way too relaxed for someone I was mentally plotting to strangle.

I leaned over the table, my arms pressing firmly against it.

"Let me refresh your memory," I said, my tone sharp. "The nickname."

His smirk grew. "Ah, the nickname."

"It slipped," he added with a shrug.

"Oh, it slipped? What others bullshit did you let slip then, huh?" I leaned closer so he couldn't escape.

"What's with you, Maya? Are you getting fond of 'Miss Perfection'?" He spat the words, his eyes narrowing.

"Don't talk about her," I warned, doing my best to keep myself from going after him.

He laughed, a twisted chuckle.

"Let me make one thing clear, Nick. You're gonna stay the hell away from my house, got it?"

He raised a brow and stood up, his body invading my space, but unfortunately for him and his ego, with my heels we were about the same height—I didn't move an inch.

"From your house? Or from her?" His expression turned challenging.

"Both," I dared to say.

"And if I don't?" he demanded, all smug.

"If you don't, trust me, things will get much worse than this little chat. And you know I can be far worse." My words were precise, sharp, hitting their mark.

I could see him starting to squirm a little, but I wasn't done yet.

"You remember the last time you misbehaved, right?" I refreshed his memory with a smirk.

"You sneaky little bitch," he shot back.

I didn't even bother to react. Finally getting a reaction out of him was enough.

He was so predictable. And easily triggered.

And I knew exactly where to hit him, having done it before.

"Ow, you mad? Oh, I'm sorry. Did I break your little plan? Stay the fuck away."

And with that, I stormed out, leaving him—and his burning face—behind.

Where he should stay.

God, I'm so damn satisfied. I feel so damn good now.

And what will make me feel even better? I'm calling my friends to meet up.

~

Lily, James, and I met up at our favorite café. The smell of dark coffee filled the place as we grabbed our usual spot by the window.

Before sitting, Lily headed to the restroom to wash the hair dye off her hands from a client.

I turned to James almost instantly.

"What's up, Maya?" he asked, glancing up from the menu, but still distracted by it.

I gave him a look and leaned in a bit closer, keeping my face neutral. "I had a little chat with Nick."

More like—I threatened Nick.

His eyes widened, and he lowered the menu, focusing on me now. "What?! Why?"

I spoke in a low tone. "I told him to stay the fuck away from... my house."

He blinked, clearly confused. "Your house? Why would he come to your house?"

"He comes for the person who lives with me," I clarified, my voice tight with frustration.

"Miss perf—"

"Let's just not call her that," I pointed out.

"Maya, we have to be calm with Nick, remember? I'm not even joking," James warned me, his voice serious now.

I leaned back in my seat, crossing my arms, "I am calm," I replied through gritted teeth, trying to sound convincing even though my blood was boiling.

My friend let out a nervous laugh, clearly not buying it. "Maya, seriously. You're not. Don't let him get to you. It's not worth it."

I let out a frustrated breath and ran a hand through my hair. "James, I'm not about to just sit back and let him do whatever the hell he wants. Not again."

James leaned forward, tilting his head.

"I get it. I really do. But you know he's not going to listen to you, right?"

I looked away for a second, trying to calm myself. James was right—I was aware of it.

My threat isn't going to be enough with Nick.

But I already had a plan to make him listen—whether he wanted to or not.

"I'll handle it," I said firmly.

I'll do everything in my power to make sure Nick doesn't get his way.

Like I've said—I'll handle it. On my terms.

James was about to speak again, but we saw Lily walking back toward us.

"Not a word with Lily," I said, already knowing he'd agree.

"Of course," James replied, grabbing his menu again.

"What are you guys muttering about?" Lily sat next to me, glancing suspiciously at James and me.

"How annoying you are, bitch," I replied nonchalantly.

Lily shot me a mocking glare. "Oh, really?"

I shrugged, smirking. "Well, it's true."

"Yeah—right, Maya, and you're the definition of patience," she shot back with a grin.

James looked up from the menu. "Do you two ever shut up?"

Lily smirked. "Jealous you're not part of the fun?"

He snorted. "If by 'fun' you mean listening to you two insult each other for sport, I think I'll pass."

I grinned. "James, don't worry, we can roast you too."

"See, that's exactly why I keep my mouth shut," he muttered.

Lily leaned in toward him with a mischievous grin. "Excuse me? You think staying quiet will save you? Oh, James..."

He just laughed, embarrassed, as his eyes drifted to Lily's features. His laugh was a little too nervous, his gaze lingering a little too long.

He was so gone for her. It's been years.

And the funniest part? Lily felt the same for him. Maybe not fully, maybe not in a way she was ready to admit. Not yet.

Too scared to acknowledge it, or do anything about it.

I shook off this feeling that now felt strangely familiar to me.

The way my mind wandered to things I didn't want to name.

Focus.

We ordered our coffee, and for a while, our conversation drifted to lighter-topics, and our usual stupid jokes.

I tried not to feel too much, forcing my mind to stay occupied, and even if my friends' presence helped me, I kept wandering back to one person.

Grace.

The way it drives me crazy seeing her with Nick.

The fight we had yesterday.

The words we threw around.

Focus. Again.

An hour went by, and just as we were about to get up, Lily stopped us, as if she had something important to say.

"Maya, I have a surprise for you, bestie," she grinned.

Knowing her when she spoke like that, something bad was definitely going to happen.

"Speak then," I suggested, already expecting the worst.

"I had someone you know come over," she explained, her voice tinged with excitement.

There was only one person who could make Lily this eager for me to meet. I already knew who it was.

"Tell me you're joking," I gritted my teeth.

But the look in her eyes told me everything I needed to know.

"Grace is about to come," Lily said, giggling.

My heart stopped for a moment.

"Right, Maya's roommate," James nodded, giving me a look.

"And why would you do that, Lil?" I asked calmly. Too calmly. I was boiling inside. "And how do you contact her?"

Lily raised a brow. "I followed her on Insta and slipped into her DMs," she said with a wink. I rolled my eyes. "I figured it was time to meet her all together. This might be... interesting," she added.

"Lil," my jaw tightened. "Let's just say that yesterday we didn't exactly end on good terms."

"Oh," she laughed. "And why is that?"

"I don't want to talk about it," I quickly brushed it off.

My bestie hummed. "I see we have secrets here, Maya..."

I briefly closed my eyes, trying to regain my composure, but I just ended up exhaling sharply.

This was frustrating.

"It's not good to meet her in this moment—"

I was interrupted.

"Oh, look, finally! She's here!" Lily exclaimed, pointing her eyes the door.

I couldn't help but feel a shiver crawl down my spine.

As I turned my gaze, every part of me froze for a second—except my heart, which pounded.

When our eyes met from a distance, Grace's gaze flickered—sharp and cold.

It was the welcome I expected.

But it seemed like she was surprised to see me there.

"What have you done?" I muttered to Lily, who simply shrugged her shoulders innocently.

I gave my undivided attention back to Grace. She was wearing a denim jacket, paired with a white t-shirt and bell bottom jeans that hugged her curves perfectly. Her brown hair flowing in soft waves.

I bit my lips.

She was beautiful.

I hated that I couldn't stop looking at her.

I hated how easily she had this effect on me.

I was way too pulled in for my own good, and I could feel it—the tug in my chest.

I can't ignore it anymore.

But now—shit—I was fucked up.

A/N

Things will get interesting trust me.. ????

see you in the next one ????