Page 33

It was morning.

But my mind kept replaying the conversation I had with Maya last night and how things ended between us.

Everything was going fine... until her expression faltered, like a silent storm brewing inside her.

One moment she seemed so close, the next... distant.

I didn't waste a second. I took a shower, ran a brush through my wavy hair, then slipped into jeans, a tucked-in white T-shirt, and... Maya's denim jacket.

I might just wear it forever. She never asked for it back, anyway.

I headed downstairs, eager to see her, but my expectations were quickly crushed—Maya wasn't there.

I was drinking juice alone when Nelly showed up. I immediately asked if she knew anything about Maya.

"Double shift at the community center. She requested it, apparently," Nelly replied, shrugging.

That's odd.

I really yearned to see her. Like, really badly.

But it's no big deal—I'll wait for her.

Except the morning turned into afternoon... and she still wasn't home.

Okay... Maya was taking her sweet time, and the thought that she might actually be avoiding me lingered in my mind, making the wait feel even longer.

Was I just overthinking it, or was there something more to it?

And the fact that I still don't have her number... Maya has mine, but she didn't give me hers. She's still holding back.

I really needed to shake this feeling from my mind.

It was a cloudy, gloomy afternoon—definitely not the vibe for swimming in the pool. But then, I remembered something...

I had never seen the horse stables at this mansion before. I quickly decided I wanted to check them out.

I stepped inside, and everything was spotless, from the polished wood floors to the neatly arranged boxes.

I saw three beautiful horses standing quietly, their coats shining as if they had been brushed to perfection.

I couldn't help but smile, feeling like Maya had a part in this.

One horse caught my attention more than the others—it was an all-black one.

I gathered the courage to get closer to him/her, and after we got to know each other a bit, I petted its mane. It was so soft and glossy, like running my fingers through silk.

"Hey, wanna go for a ride?" A man's voice suddenly interrupted me.

I think it was Lawrence, the family's handyman or chauffeur, I didn't even remember...

Rich people have their things...

I politely declined.

He still walked up to me, led the black horse out, and grinned, looking amused.

"Come on, it's not hard, I'll teach you..."

"I've never ridden a horse before," I insisted.

He laughed and walked me to the exit. "It's easy... look," he said casually, pointing to where I should place my foot to get on the horse. "Then you just get on, and it's done. I'll hold the horse still."

"Wait... is this Maya's horse? It's not like she'll get upset?" I hesitated.

I didn't want to push her boundaries.

"It's hers. But don't worry, unlike her, this horse is super chill. Come on, I'll let you take a ride."

I didn't care about this man opinion, but he should keep his mouth shut about her.

After several nagging, I placed my foot where he showed me, and it was easier than I thought. I stayed calm, and the horse seemed to sense my ease, remaining still as I settled.

But then—Lawrence suddenly ruined everything by starting to pat the horse's back way too hard.

"I don't know anything about horses, but I don't think what you're doing is right. You should probably stop," I scolded him.

Lawrence started downplaying what I was saying until the horse started to go crazy, and he stepped back.

"Are you for real?" I asked, starting to panic.

The horse was about to freak out, and Lawrence was about to run off, leaving me there to die.

Yes—I'm going to die in this.

"What the hell are you doing, Lawrence? Oh my God," a voice I knew all too well burst out, grabbing my attention.

Maya.

She shot Lawrence a dirty look, then came over to me and began calming her horse with gentle strokes.

"I'm sorry, it was my fault, I was careless," I said, feeling responsible for it.

"It's not your fault, Grace," she replied gently.

The horse started calming down with her touch, and Maya reached out her hand to me. "Try to get off. Slowly."

I grabbed her hand and did what she said, but the horse started getting restless again.

"Alright," Maya shrugged, remaining extremely calm. "Give me some space."

"Huh?" I asked, blushing.

"Step back, Grace. I'll take control."

"What?! I don't think that—" My face was probably bright red by now.

Maya ignored me and effortlessly hopped on. I leaned back to give her space, and the horse calmed down immediately.

Oh, God.

Her back was right in front of my chest—pressed against me...

I could feel the warmth of her body through the thin fabric of her leather jacket, and my heart raced.

It felt so damn good.

"Lawrence, you're an idiot. You wouldn't even be good at washing my father's car," her voice was firm, scolding, yet oddly composed, as if she were in complete control of the situation.

Lawrence literally ran off.

"Now," her voice softened as she spoke to me, "Hold on to me, Grace, let's take a ride."

I started to panic.

I wasn't even sure where to put my hands on.

Maya took the reins and urged the horse to go faster without even warning me. Instinctively, I grabbed her waist, pulling her closer to me.

"Um, Maya, can you slow down, please?" I suggested—well, more like pleaded.

She let out a laugh. "Don't be dramatic, Grace, it's not like you're going to die."

"Funny." I didn't laugh.

"Maybe you should hold on tighter," she suggested.

The audacity.

I slowly held on tighter to her waist. My arms encircling her slender frame.

God... it felt so damn exciting. My mind was starting to wander into unfamiliar territories...

Like the way our bodies moved up and down together, rhythmically... the way her waist curved so perfectly beneath my hands...

"You good?" She asked.

"Huh?"

Maya leaned back against me, pressing into my chest. "I asked if you are good, Grace."

I was literally daydreaming.

"Yes—yes, I am..."

I tried to focus, but she was all I could see.

I think I'm starting to lose my mind.

I coughed. "Is it a she or a he?" I asked, talking about the horse.

"Her name's Storm."

"So cute," I smiled. "How long have you been doing this?"

"Since I was little," Maya replied quietly. "My Mom taught me."

So sweet.

Before I even realized it, I found myself resting my chin on her shoulder. But then embarrassment hit me, and I quickly tried to pull back.

Maya didn't let me—I felt the gentle pressure of her cheek against my head as she leaned into me.

Her warm breath whispered in my ear, "Relax. Just trust me."

It made my heart flutter, and for a second, I forgot how to breathe.

"She's—she's beautiful..." I stammered.

"Yes, she is," Maya replied calmly, her cheek brushing against mine as she snuggled in.

The horse picked up speed, guided by her confident hands—every gentle bounce felt like a pulse between us.

"Grace," Maya's fingers tracing my arm, right where I was holding her. "I'm not letting you go."

It felt like her words held so much more than just meaning—like she wasn't just talking about the ride, or the moment... but about us.

I held on tighter. Just a little. Just enough to tell her that I didn't want her to let me go.

Maya's hair flowed in the air and tickled my face—gorgeous, long—I deliberately inhaled its scent deeply...

Wait.

Her perfume hit me like a wave of Déjà Vu—that warm, hypnotic scent with... vanilla.

The one I couldn't remember—until now.

And just like that it all clicked.

It was still so vivid in my mind. Like a memory.

Everything was becoming clear—it wasn't just in a dream, I'd smelled it in real life.

That night I was drunk.

That night Nick took me home and—

Oh...

Oh.