Page 40

It was midnight when we cautiously entered home, completely soaked, hand in hand.

Everything was quiet—luckily, everyone was already asleep.

We went upstairs, Maya squeezed my hand as she leaned in and whispered in my ear, "Come to my room."

I didn't need her to ask twice.

She closed the door behind us and smiled softly. "I'll grab some towels," she said before quietly slipping into her bathroom.

I stood there, looking around her room. It was the second time I'd been inside, but I'd never actually paused to observe it all.

The first time, I'd been... distracted... to say the least...

Maya's room was a reflection of her mind—

chaotic yet carefully curated, almost deliberate. It was a controlled mess, like everything had its place, just not in the usual way.

Maya's bed was large and inviting in the middle of the room. Its plush mattress was covered with silky sheets and dark-hued velvet blankets neatly on top.

Sunglasses rested casually on the bedside table, alongside a silver jewelry box filled with rings and bracelets.

A few books lay open on the desk, mixed with scented candles, and fancy Dior perfume bottles. One medical book was open to a page showing an anatomical heart.

It made me smile right away.

Then my eyes landed on a framed photo of a beautiful woman with a little girl next to her.

The little girl was clearly Maya—dark long hair, tanned skin, and that same beautiful smile.

Still, I've never seen her smile like that—not with that intensity or innocence, untouched by pain.

The woman beside her had to be her late Mom.

She looked like a model, absolutely gorgeous. Now I knew where Maya got her beauty from—they were practically identical, except her mom had fairer skin and lighter hair.

Holding that photo, my chest tightened and tears filled my eyes.

I didn't even notice Maya behind me until she gently placed a towel on my head and wrapped her arms around me from behind.

"Come here, Grace. Sit," she whispered.

She noticed the photo in my hands but didn't mention it. Instead, she placed a towel at the edge of the bed and sat beside me. She began drying my hair, her movements tender, almost soothing.

"She is beautiful. You look just like her," I whispered softly.

Maya's eyes flickered with a mix of nostalgia and something deeper—something that never fades away.

"People often say that," she said warmly, voice almost breaking.

"I'm so sorry," I said, my heart heavy with the weight of what she'd lost. It was too much to even think about.

Her eyes softened. She didn't say a word, but all her emotions flickered behind that fragile silence.

Maya looked like someone who had learned to hide her pain through time, but her grief was still written all over her face.

"If you want," I breathed out, "you can tell me how you really feel. About everything. I'm here, whenever you're ready to share."

Maya gave me a soft smile. "It doesn't bother me seeing my father with your mom, Grace. If they're happy, then that's good for us." Her voice was steady and honest, but I could hear a subtle tremor beneath the calm.

"He has to quit playing the happy family with me—that's what bothers me," she added, her eyes darkened again.

"What do you mean?" I asked carefully.

"He and I—"

"You and your father," I corrected her.

"Yes. We didn't get along even before you came, Grace. So, he can't pretend now that everything's fine when clearly it's not," Maya said, continuing to dry my hair, her voice blunt—a sharp breath escaping her.

"I get what you're saying," I said sincerely. "But he's still your father, Maya. I'm pretty sure he wants what's best for you. Maybe there's a reason behind all this..."

As I said that, her gaze faltered briefly, her jaw tightening.

I realized I had touched a sore spot—there was definitely a reason why things were bad between Maya and her father.

She just seemed like she wasn't ready to share it yet.

"I made choices... things I can't undo. That's why it's complicated," she said, her voice controlled, her words hanging in the air like something still unresolved.

I wondered what kind of choices she made, and what consequences they might have. Knowing Maya, I knew she wouldn't stop at anything.

Whatever it was, it didn't just involve her. It feels like someone else had gotten caught in the crossfire too.

"He doesn't trust me or think I'm mature, which is why I purposely act like a jerk and behave like a child," she said, her voice rough and tight.

Maya paused, then exhaled sharply, like she was feeling the weight of everything. I held her hand gently, trying to comfort her and encourage her to keep sharing.

"Because that's the only way he'll see me—because otherwise, he ignores me."

Her final words hit me.

All this time, all she wanted was to be seen—by me, by her father, by everyone around her.

Suddenly, everything made sense—her trust issues, the grief over her mother, the conflict with her father, the hatred toward Nick.

Maya wasn't just being difficult or rebellious—she was screaming to be noticed, to matter.

I squeezed her hand tightly, trying to soothe her, to ground her. "You're neither a jerk nor a child," I said without hesitation. "If anything, I think you're very mature and strong, and you've handled more than most people ever could."

Maya's eyes softened again, a small smile tugging at the corner of her lips. "Thank you Grace. You don't know how much it means to me.

"And you matter to me," I added, meaning every word.

Her eyes filled with something warm and deep, and then, after a pause, she said, "Grace, you matter to me too. Way more than you think."

I think those words carried a deeper meaning, something neither of us dared to say out loud yet.

"Let's put the parents topic aside for now," I said quietly, knowing we'd talk more when she was ready.

"Of course..." Maya replied immediately as she leaned closer and started kissing my lips with increasing intensity.

"Your lips are the softest," I whispered.

"Your lips are so fucking kissable, Grace—I might just keep going if you want me to."

I chuckled softly, nodding my head.

Maya hummed in response, biting her lip as she propped herself up and moved closer, settling onto my lap before pressing soft kisses to my neck. I slowly leaned back onto her mattress.

I was literally enjoying every second of this.

And the fact that we had soaked clothes made everything feel so damn intense and relentless.

I was lost in pleasure.

Her hands gripped my waist, pulling me even closer—I could feel her breath, warm and unsteady, against my skin.

The kisses started slow, teasing, but the moment our bodies pressed together, they deepened—hot.

"You're beautiful—every single part of your wet body," Maya murmured against my lips.

I let out a shaky breath. "You're tempting... you're making me feel like this."

Maya's gaze was soft but focused, watching how my body reacted to her touch—like she wanted to understand me, not just feel me.

That's when I suddenly started shuddering against my will.

"Why are you shaking, Gracie?" Maya asked me, stopping instantly and hovering above me.

My body betrayed me again—a small shiver running through me as I stayed silent. My chest rising and falling faster than usual.

Maya pulled me closer, warming me. "What is it, sweetheart? Tell me if you're not comfortable," she asked, her eyes genuinely searching mine for reassurance.

"I'm comfortable," I replied immediately. "I'm shaking because... it's... it's you. Your closeness, Maya... but it's a good thing," I finally admitted, unable to hold it back any longer.

Her smile softened as she let out a relieved sigh. "You feel it too, don't you?"

"Yes, completely..."

"Are you okay if I continue?" she asked.

"More than okay..." I murmured.

Slowly, Maya slid her fingers along my chest, pausing gently at my collarbone. Her careful eyes never left mine.

Her touch was just so delicate and comforting, it only made me ache to be even closer.

"May I?" she asked, her fingers hovering lightly over the blouse covering my neck.

"Yes," I breathed out as she moved it just enough to kissing me there.

When her lips finally met the curve of my neck, a shiver ran through me as she deepened the kiss.

Low moans escaped my lips.

It was impossible to hold back with how good it felt—how good she felt.

Her fingers trailed down my arm, tracing soft patterns—until she suddenly flinched, worry flashing across her face.

"Oh God—your skin's freezing, Grace," she said, her voice full of concern. "I'm afraid you're starting to get cold, sweetheart."

"Oh, yeah... I'm sorry..." I murmured, feeling a little embarrassed by it.

"No need to apologize," Maya said right away, quickly grabbing a towel and placing it over my wet clothes. Then, she helped me stand up.

"I think it's better if you take a hot shower, Gracie. We're pretty soaked," she said softly.

I nodded slightly, still holding her close to me. Don't want to let go already.

"Don't worry, I'll see you tomorrow—dry and all," she grinned, cupping my face in her hands.

I chuckled. "You're silly."

Maya smirked dangerously. "Unless we're planning on getting soaked again," she murmured, her eyes twinkling with mischief.

Heat rushed to my face as I bit my lip. "You really don't give me a break, do you, doctor?"

"I'm not a doctor, yet," Maya said with a sly smile.

"You will be someday," I replied immediately.

"Better hurry then," she said confidently, then leaned in. "Goodnight, sweetheart. Longing to see you again," she murmured in the hollow of my ear.

Oh God, those butterflies in my stomach.

I rested my face on her chest as she caressed my back. Her warm body against my frozen one made it impossible to pull away.

"Goodnight, until tomorrow," I whispered against her breast.

I approached the door, but not before turning back to her with a smile.

"That was definitely the right moment," I said, stealing her one more kiss.

I left Maya amazed and still smirking, stepping out of her room with that moment gently lingering in my heart.

The night air felt colder against my wet clothes, but inside me, something had warmed.

And everything finally felt as it should be.

A/N

Don't worry. I already have so many things and twists planned for this story. So stay tuned—this is far from over. ????