Page 5

I pushed through the crowd again, trying not to bump into too many people.

Not that it made a difference—pretty much everyone was already drunk.

I don't even know why I'm looking for Maya.

I could've just left with Nick without saying anything. And yet... here I am, glancing around, for someone I don't even want to see.

God, I hate this situation.

Nick and I went back to the porch of the mansion, and before I knew it, I found myself dangerously close to Maya's body.

Where the hell did she come from, anyway?

"Hey..." I said calmly.

She gave me an impatient look and shot Nick a cold stare that I couldn't quite understand.

"I'm coming back with Nick's car, just so you know," I said, keeping my voice steady.

I was about to step back but Maya suddenly spoke—

"Ohio," she called me in an annoyed tone.

I rolled my eyes.

"Didn't your mother tell you not to accept rides from strangers?" She raised a brow.

Honestly, she didn't seem drunk or anything like that, but... maybe it was the way her words came out harsh, or how she was acting—either way, something felt off.

"What?!" Nick shot back, offended.

"You shut up." She scolded him.

I looked straight into her eyes.

"For what I know, you're a stranger to me too," I said firmly.

Maya laughed sharply, but there was something in her eyes that didn't match the sound.

"Fine by me," she smirked, her words dripping with defiance.

"But you shouldn't have gotten in my way in the first place."

"I won't bother doing that again," I muttered, my frustration getting the best of me.

I let out a sharp breath. Maya still stood there, staring me down with no intention of moving, so I walked off, Nick trailing behind me.

"Good one, Grace," he grinned.

"I'm done with her," I muttered.

I'm so done with her attitude. Literally.

There's no stopping this war now.

I got in Nick's car, and he started driving, but I still couldn't shake off the tension from my recent confrontation with my roommate.

Her words, her presence—they kept replaying in my head, and the more I thought about it, the more pissed off I got.

"I don't get it... has she always been like this?" I asked Nick, trying to keep it together.

Nick nodded instantly. "For as long as I have known her, she is always acting like crap toward others." His tone cold and barely hiding his irritation.

I don't think they are friends, by the way...

"I'm... I'm trying to figure out if she's really like this, but... I just can't get it..."

And I couldn't help but think about her mother, who passed away when Maya was just a kid. That must have been such a traumatic experience...

One that left scars.

"She is," Nick didn't hesitate to say. "She is always rude and shitty. Let's just forget her, okay?"

"Sorry," I whispered, lowering gaze, "yeah, let's just move on."

Nick smiled satisfied as he sped up.

"I know the party didn't go well, but at least we met, Grace..."

I smiled slightly. "Yeah... and thank you so much for the lift, Nick."

He looked in my direction, his blue eyes intense and searching.

"Anytime," he replied, his voice teasing.

As we finally arrived home, I felt dizzy as hell, like all the frustration was still bubbling inside me.

It was all because of Maya.

Nick turned off his car and suddenly leaned in, pulling me into a hug I didn't see coming. My body remained stiff from the sudden contact. His lips brushed against my ear, lingering a second too long, and then he stopped—right in front of my face.

His eyes darkened, narrowing like he was expecting something...

"I think I have to go now..." I whispered.

"You sure, Grace?" he smirked, still leaning closer.

"Yeah, sorry... I'm just really tired. It's been a long day..." I said, pulling away from his arms.

"Fine..." he muttered.

I had a feeling he was a little upset about it.

"Grace," he called smoothly as I stepped out of his car.

"How about you give me your number?"

I hesitated for a second before smiling. "Of course," I replied as he handed me his phone, I tapped my number and giving it back to him.

"Good night," I whispered, smiling kindly.

"Good night, Grace. I'll see you." He winked in my direction.

I opened the door of the mansion and let out a relieved breath—it was dark and quiet, everyone already asleep. I dragged myself to my room and collapsed on the bed, exhausted from everything that happened today.

I closed my eyes for a second, and for some reason, Maya's face flashed in my mind.

What was it about her that I couldn't shake off?

That teasing smirk, those eyes, the defiance in her voice.

It's the way she always pushed my buttons.

It's the way she enjoyed seeing me frustrated.

It was all some kind of game to her.

I won't let her. I won't let her mess with my head—not again, not ever.

I let out a frustrated sigh, turning to my side. Gosh... today was just out of my comfort zone.

~

I didn't get much sleep, it was a rough night, and when I woke up the next day, it was only 8 a.m.

I jumped in the shower, brushed my hair carefully, then stepped out of my room, still wearing my pink and white pajamas.

Maya's door was closed, so I figured she was sleeping or doing whatever... maybe she wasn't even in there.

I headed downstairs with a smile, but when I looked up, my smile disappeared.

Maya was sitting on the kitchen stool, her long black hair falling straight and smooth behind her shoulders, with hardly any makeup on.

As her gaze fell on me, she immediately shot me a pissed-off, irritated stare.

Perfect way to start the day...

I turned around because I really wasn't in the mood for any morning drama.

"Grace, dear, breakfast's almost ready, sit!" Nelly exclaimed. I gave her a polite smile and reluctantly sat down.

Oh God.

I was left alone with Maya and all I wanted to do was run away again.

"Looks like you had a blast last night," she suddenly spoke, her voice dripping with sarcasm.

"I wouldn't say it that way." I replied casually.

Maya raised a brow, but kept her cool.

"Then how would you say?"

"None of your business," I replied purposefully.

I don't get why she's so interested—more like she's just pretending to care to get under my skin.

Maya huffed loudly and rubbed her temples, visibly frustrated.

"Hangover?" I asked.

"No. This is just the headache I got the moment I saw you." Her eyes narrowing as she glared at me.

What the hell...?

"Do you always wake up like this, or did you decide to add a little extra hate today?" I shot back.

"Yeah, exactly, Ohio, I'm in the mood for being extra today, deal with it," her tone sharp but with a hint of amusement.

"I'm just going to ignore you." I muttered, looking away to avoid her piercing gaze.

"Yeah, that's probably the smartest thing you could do."

I guess she's just not into small talk. Or being polite at all.

Nelly interrupted our little lovely talk to bring us breakfast and say:

"Your dad, Maya, and your mom, Grace, said they want to go shopping in the city with you. You should finish breakfast and join them..."

Maya sighed dramatically.

"Nelly," she started, pretending to be patient, "Can you tell my dad I couldn't care less about what he wants?"

"Maya... he won't accept a no for an answer," the woman replied.

"Well, isn't that a surprise," she muttered sarcastically, straightening up without a second thought.

She was wearing a black, silk sleeveless Victoria's Secret pajama set—sleek and fitted.

She looked... okay... for someone who probably has an hangover or something like that...

"Nelly, don't mind if I'm not eating breakfast, but I'm not in the mood right now."

The old lady nodded patiently, "Fine, but don't forget the shopping part, Maya..."

She stormed past me, mad as hell, and went up to her room.

Great. Sounds like it was going to be another lovely day for me.