Chapter 23: Maya
1013 Words
Maya had been running the house long before Jake learnt how to hold or carry a gun long before the power came, long before the man he'd become, long before the scars - emotional and physical.
She had watched him grow, watched him fall, watched him try to hide his true self just to face the world's cruelty. She knew his likes and dislikes better than even Jake himself did. Maya had basically been the only parent figure Jake, Diana, and Lena had growing up.
This morning, Maya stood in the kitchen hands wrapped around a mug of coffee she'd already reheated twice, or was it thrice? She watched the sunlight creep through the tall window, wondering why the house was as quiet as it was.
Her hair once jet black was now streaked with silver and pulled back into a neat bun. Her posture was straight and poised even in old age.
This house didn't function well without her. It never did. Not when all it had were men who came in now and then and didn't know what to even do in a house. Not since Diana died.
Maya knew every corner of the mansion, every creak in the floors, every habit of the men who passed through it. She knew when they were on the move, when they slacked, who could be trusted and which ones needed a reminder that discipline mattered.
But most of all, she knew Jake. She always knew when something was wrong or right with him.
She'd noticed the moment he walked in the night before, too quiet shoulders tight, eyes darker than usual.
That had worried her, especially when he passed straight through the foyer without acknowledging anyone.
Maya knew that had never been a good sign.
She followed him halfway up the stairs before he noticed her presence.
"Jake, " she'd called calmly.
He stopped then slowly, turned as if just coming out of his thoughts.
"Maya, " he said, voice neutral, but his eyes softened. "You are back. "
Maya nodded.
"How's leila and the baby?" Jake asked, trying to sound casual.
"They are doing well now," Maya answered, still watching him. "Are you okay?"
Jake didn't respond.
Maya sighed and crossed her arms. "You're not too old for that question to matter. "
A ghost of a smile flickered across his mouth. "Still bossing me around, I see. "
"Someone has to," she replied dryly. Then more gently. "You look like hell. "
He huffed once. "I feel worse. "
That had been all she needed to hear.
Maya had come into Jake's life when he was still a boy. Skinny, sharp eyed, angry at the world. He hadn't trusted her at first. He hadn't trusted anybody, except his sister.
But Maya hadn't flinched from him, hadn't tried to soften him, or control him.
She'd just fed him. Covered his bruises without asking questions. And stayed.
Over time, that had been enough. She'd watched him grow into a man who carried violence like a second language and loyalty like a curse.
She'd watched him bury every weakness so deeply, even he sometimes forgot they existed.
She watched him bury all those he cared about.
His sister. Diana Valerian.
Until now.
Because this morning standing in the hallway, she saw something new in him.
Fear. Not the kind that came from enemies or betrayal.
But the kindcthat came from love.
Just what the hell had happened to him while he was away?
Maya found Tiana later that day.
She was moving slowly through the living room, wrapped in a soft sweater too big for her, fingers curled nervously around a mug of tea. Her eyes darted around the space like she was expecting it to disappear.
Maya didn't approach her right away.
She knew trauma when she saw it.
Instead she busied herself at the far counter deliberately making her presence known - quiet, unthreatening. When she finally turned, she smiled softly.
"You must be Tiana," she said warmly."I'm Maya. "
Tiana flinched at first, then relaxed slightly at the gentle tone.
"Hi," she whispered.
Maya moved slowly, careful not to invade. " I run the house," she explained. " But mostly I just make sure everyone eats and remember how to behave. "
Tiana blinked then let out a small surprised laugh.
Jake appeared in the doorway at that time, instantly alert.
Maya caught the way his body angled subtly toward Tiana. The way his eyes checked her face before anything else.
There it was, Maya thought. That's the boy I raised.
"Tiana, " Jake said softly, "this is Maya. She's family. "
Maya felt her chest tighten at the word family.
She inclined her hand toward Tiana. "Welcome home, dear. "
Tiana's eyes filled with tears too quickly it startled Maya.
"I- thank you, " she said voice trembling.
Maya understood then.
This girl wasn't just important to Jake. She was his undoing. And his salvation.
Later when Jake stepped away to take a call, Maya approached him quietly.
"You married her," she said, not a question.
Jake nodded once.
"Good," Maya replied simply. "You've needed something real in your life fir once. "
He looked at her then, really looked at her and for a moment he wasn't the feared man or a leader.
He was just a boy who once slept on the couch because he didn't know how to ask for a room. Just a boy she had cared enough to feed even though he didn't know how to ask for food.
"Help me take care of her. " he said quietly.
Maya reached up and squeezed his arm firm and familiar.
"I already am, " she said. "And Jake?"
"Yes?"
Her gaze sharpened with fierce affection. "Anyone who hurts her answers to me first. "
A corner of his mouth lifted. "That's fair enough. "
Maya watched him walk back towards Tiana. Watched the way his steps softened the closer he got to her. And smiled.
After years the house finally felt like home not a fortress.
- Writer
