THE CEO IS CLUELESS

CHAPTER THREE

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Maya sat alone in the dining room, she took a sip of her coffee; her hair packed in a messy bun and her white robe clung to her body. She kept thinking of what Ann had said earlier that morning. Placing the coffee on the table, her legs crossed on each other beneath, she grabbed her phone. “Have you gone over to the house already?” Ann's text popped up. Maya tried to text back but couldn't find the right words. She placed her phone on the table with a deep sigh. “There is something off about Claudia,” she thought to herself. Maya thought she had known Jaden well since they got married, but the arrival of Claudia changed things. Her mind drifted back to their first meeting, how she fell for him through his constant visits to her restaurant. “ She no longer works for you” he had said to Chef Kim, taking Maya out of the restaurant. He stood up for her before her then-boss. She knew in her guts that he loved her even though it was always covered up in his aura. Maya knew she could not let anyone take Jaden from her, she was bent on fighting for her marriage at all costs. She stood up abruptly, making her way to the bedroom to get dressed. **************************************

Ding ding ding ding g Maya rang the doorbell. She finally muttered the courage to go over to Jaden's other house. The mansion, is located on the outskirts of Los Angeles and is where Jaden’s Mother Charlotte resides. Charlotte also influenced her marriage to Jaden; Charlotte had a soft spot for Maya after she had saved her from choking during one of her visits to Maya’s former restaurant. “Ann, I hope this is a good idea” she texted, feeling tightened in her guts. She did not know what to expect; she just really wanted to see things for herself. The door opened, and she immediately dropped her phone in her bag. “ Good Day ma’am Maya” the maid greeted and as she stepped in, running her hands through her hair, she was greeted with the sound of a familiar voice. She walked to the dining area and saw Jaden, Charlotte, and Claudia talking and laughing heartily while having their breakfast. “Oh ma’am Charlotte, of course, I had to come home in time to celebrate Jaden's birthday.” Claudia said while smiling at Jaden's mum. She had a piece of bacon stuck to her cutlery. “ I have missed having you around Claudia,” Charlotte said, her voice breaking. She was running her free hands through Claudia’s chin. “ If J wasn't married I would match you two” she added. Jaden let out a smile and continued chewing the piece of bacon he had just thrown in his mouth. Maya stared at them in silence, she couldn't decide whether to turn around and leave or make her presence known. She thought she had known her husband well, but Claudia’s arrival changed things. Just as she turned to leave, her red bag hit the flower vase decoration, and it fell to the ground. She raised her head to see all eyes on her; at that point, she wanted nothing more than to disappear. “ Oh my, Maya; it's so good to see you. Come, come join us” Charlotte said, and ushered Maya to take a seat as the maids picked up the broken vase, making Maya feel a little at ease. Claudia sneered, she was not happy with Maya’s presence. “ I didn't know you were coming, how long have you been there for?” Jaden asked, surprised at Maya’ s presence. “Oh Jaden, Maya is welcome anytime,” the old lady said with a bright smile as she gestured to the maids to bring Maya breakfast. “ Oh that's right J, I mean she was probably bored, she just had to show up” Maya looked at Claudia in time to catch the fake smile on her face after passing a remark that she was bored. Maya could not understand why Claudia was always being mean and nice to her at the same time. She started to fondle the food in front of her and an awkward silence ensured. “I am really glad J was there to pick me up at the airport when I arrived” Claudia broke the silence and Maya realized that Jaden had left her that night to pick up Claudia and not attend to work. I had to because of your condition”, Jaden immediately added while trying to catch the expression on Maya’s face. “ So Maya, you must like to cook. I can never deal with being in the kitchen for hours, especially when I am married to a family as influential as the Stones”. Claudia sneered at Maya’s profession. “ I enjoy what I do”, Maya stated plainly and continued eating.Good for you”, Claudia said with a giggle. The awkward silence was back, Maya was lost in her thoughts, she could not understand why the whole family was so fond of Claudia and why Claudia was always trying to pick on her. Doubt was creeping in. She began to question Jaden’s decision to marry her. Whether he just did it for his mum, and it was Claudia he loved, or if he truly loved her, but she waved it off. She placed her hands on her belly, remembering their child. “ Maya darling, why aren't you eating, aren't you hungry?” Charlotte asked, feigning concern. “ You know Maya, Jaden and Claudia, they were really troublesome back in the days,” she said. “ Claudia would make mischief with the other kids at school and Jaden, he has always been a gentleman, always defending her,” the old woman continued. “ They both have a very close bond, and It would make me happy if you both get along well ” The old lady smiled at Maya who smiled back in return revealing her perfectly arranged teeth. “ em m i will just grab a drink from the kitchen,” Maya said as she made to stand up. “ No Maya be my guest, I’ll get it” Charlotte said and headed to the kitchen. Her aged back bent as she walked slowly into the kitchen. Maya smiled, she could not help but love Ma'am Charlotte; the old lady is always very welcoming. Claudia was not pleased, she wanted to spite Maya and took Charlotte's exit as an opportunity. “That's not all Maya,” Claudia said. Jaden dropped his fork in the table aggressively. He knew what Claudia was about to say. “Jaden chased me for more than twenty years ”She looked Maya in the eye. Did he tell you that?” Maya was dumbfounded. “Oh he didn't!!” Claudia said, covering her mouth with her hands, faking her shock. Well, I'll do the honors, now you know. He has chased me since our high school days”. “Claudia!” Jaden said under his breath. “ I was shocked to find out that he married you within a year after I left for the States; I guess he had no choice” Claudia shrugged her shoulders. “ Claudia stop,” Jaden said That was a long time ago” Maya raised her brows in shock as she stared at Jaden. Then it dawned on her, she knew nothing about this man's past.