Beneath the scars

Chapter 14

Asia’s POV

A woman around my age stood just inside the doorway. She was dressed in a navy evening gown with her dark hair gathered into a loose knot that somehow looked effortlessly elegant.

I couldn’t help smiling back.

“I was thinking the same thing.”

She walked closer, setting her clutch on the counter before examining the stain with surprising seriousness.

“Red wine.”

“Unfortunately.”

She nodded once.“Good.”

“Good? I don’t really think this is good.”

“It could’ve been oil you know.”

I laughed.

“I suppose that’s one way to look at it.”

“I’m Maya.”

She extended her hand without the slightest hesitation.

“Asia.”

“It’s nice to meet you, Asia.”

“You too.”

Instead of continuing the conversation, Maya rolled up the sleeves of the elegant jacket draped over her shoulders and reached for another towel.

“Move over.”

I raised an eyebrow.

“Excuse me?”

“You’ve been trying to get off that stain for at least three minutes.”

“How do you know?”

“I was standing outside waiting for someone to leave the bathroom.”

She grinned.

I laughed again and stepped aside.

“Fine.”

“Thank you…now let’s get to this dress.”

She dampened another towel before gently blotting a different section of the fabric.

“You don’t rub the stain,Terrible idea.”

“You sound experienced.”

“My little sister once poured grape juice on a white sofa…so yeah.”

“Ouch.”

“Exactly.”

We both laughed.

For the next few moments, neither of us said anything.

She continued blotting the dress. Then after a few minutes she leaned back to inspect the stain.

“I think we’ve saved the dress.”

“I think so too.”

“It’ll still needs a bit of dry cleaning tho.”

“I can live with that.”

She smiled.

“Good.”

I looked at her properly for the first time.

“So…”

She looked up.

“So?”

“Do you rescue strangers often?”

She pretended to think about it.

“Only the ones wearing expensive dresses.”

I laughed.

“I’ll take that as a compliment.”

“It was.”She rinsed her hands before drying them.”I’ve always believed women should help each other.”

“I agree.”

“Besides…”She smiled mischievously.”it’s much more fun than standing outside the bathroom door.”

That made me laugh harder than I expected.

“You have a nice laugh.”

“Hmm…thanks I haven’t heard that in a while.”

“You should use it more.”

Before I could answer, the bathroom door burst open.

“There you are!”Rachel practically stormed inside, scanning the room before spotting me.”I was two seconds away from searching the entire mansion.”

I blinked.

“I’ve been gone five minutes.”

“It felt like fifty Asia …where?.”She finally noticed Maya standing beside me.”Oh.”Her expression immediately softened.”I’m sorry. I didn’t realize…”

“It’s alright,” Maya said, smiling easily.“I was just helping save the dress.”

Rachel looked at the stain before looking back at Maya.

“Wow…thanks that’s so nice of you.”

“Well I tried to help what’s left of it.”

Rachel placed a hand dramatically over her heart.

“I’ll get going…see you both later.”as maya excused herself to leave the washroom.