The Vow we break

Chapter Two

Bought and Paid For

Maya’s POV

Ready to stop trembling hands, I approached the edge of the marble countertop. Beyond the windows, the metropolitan skyline sparkled, and in stillness I could hear my own few breaths returning to me. This was it—the penthouse meant to signal my start of a new life. The place I had been "purchased".

Assured, unhurried, steps followed after me. I turned around and found him instead of searching for it. His keen eye shot into me, a mixture of inquiry and something evil. Adrian Wolfe shackled me according to various standards. The man covering my release did likewise.

"You look lost," his voice sounded cool, apathetic.

I made myself straight, which helped me to stifle the flood of feelings about to explode. Not lost, I said, turning to face him. "Just... selecting it all in."

His black eyes swooped over me, staying just long enough to let me pass beneath his sight. You will adjust, he murmured, with an icy voice. Your life now seems to be much easier.

"Was it? I fired back before I could slow down. Trade under a house does not exactly feel like freedom.

He crossed his arms as I had instructed him, smoking. Maya, would you then want your family to file for bankruptcy? Allow them to decay.

Starting then, I chewed my teeth. He brought me there knowing this. My parents' extravagant way of living and reckless spending had gone out of hand; I was their way of atonement. Adrian had in some odd manner saved me. Still, I felt I was the only other thing he could use.

My skin pricked with consciousness as he slanted uneasily toward the counter. If it would make you feel better, you are not precisely my type.

the tongue used in stinging. I just seemed to be blank. And in what kind does Adrian fall?

"Subservient," he said without any humor. "That which does not object back-wise."

Between us, silently strong and weighty. I turned aside his pointed attention. I apologize for letting you down.

He shrugs, a gleam of challenge in his eyes. You could surprise me.

I dragged myself away toward the large window when the idea left an unspoken impact like a blow to the gut. Stressing the point of view, I advised him not to notice how different I had become. But my heart stopped me.

Adrian's phone buzzed, and as he stared at the screen his face clouded. Mumbling, "duty calls," he placed it back into his pocket. " Get proper. You will find me tonight in the charity gala. Maya: also?

I turned; he was devoid of feeling. Absolutely.

"Wear something noteworthy." He left me alone in the penthouse abruptly, gone.

Later evening during the charity gala.

Comprising the finest of New York, the ballroom shone with brilliant lights and soothing music. Adrian was far across the room surrounded by coworkers, but the second I looked at strayed to me. His eyes stayed fixed, a little astonishment on his face before he covered it.

The air charged as I moved across the floor toward him. Every glance at us, every whisper trailing in our wake, caused terrible conscious pain.

"Maya," he said quietly as I came to him. Your hygiene is really good.

Not waversing, I said, "I'm glad to meet your criteria."

Though it wouldn't reach his eyes, he could hardly grin. "'Good.'" Get right here tonight. Those who call this place have somewhat specific preferences. His hand gl went to my behind, leading me through the throng.

"What's that supposed to mean?"

He fell, his mouth only inches apart from mine. "It indicates that right now you live in my universe. Assuming Maya's role, perform

As I started to object, a woman with beautiful red hair and a predatory smile walked up to us. She rested a hand on Adrian's arm and fixed a frigidly amused glance at me.

"Adrian, sweetheart," she said. You omitted mentioning your would bring business.

"Victoria," Adrian whispered gently, his fingers pressing on my rear. Said "this is Maya, my wife."

Her eyes flashed, shock replaced with a deliberate stare. "Wife!" comes out as quite small-townish. She looked at me and grinned. Well Maya, tonight is very fantastic. I would really like to meet with you at some point.

She vanished then, leaving a thick quiet in her path. I raised my head to Adrian and sensed the sharpness of his gaze.

"Who was that?" I inquired even though I felt I shouldn't be interested.

"An old friend," he added, not very clearly. "To forget her".

She seems hard to forget.

He murmured nothing, but his hand slid from my buttocks and his face vanished. I watched his movement as the evening progressed, the way people hung on his words. Just as much as their respect for him, I could value their dread of him.

But I also witnessed his lingering glances at Victoria and the little gestures as the evening drew on. Something clenched in my chest; I avoided labeling the sensation.

I left the conversation circle Adrian had drawn me into seeking fresh air as the evening came to end. I gasped deep breaths and crept out to grab the balcony's railing. Before me the city, vast and apathetic, opened out.

'You belong nowhere here.'

The voice made my back shingle. Turning, Victoria was there right away. Her crimson lips twitched into a less than perfect grin, and she looked at me with barely veiled contempt.

Said "I... I beg your pardon?"

"While Adrian might have set a ring on your finger, don't fool yourself." She came nearer and her voice dropped. "For him, you are only a passing fancy. Everybody absolutely is what they are. From his life, you will be absent as fast as you arrived.

"Why are you showing me this?" I attempted to keep my voice calm, but from her assured look my gut turned over.

"You don't know some things, sweetheart," she remarked. And once you do... let's say Adrian will not be the same to you.

She disappeared before I could react, therefore left me on the chilly evening by myself. Her comments kept coming back to me, a clear warning hovering above.

Turning back into the ballroom, I saw Adrian waiting as though he understood precisely what she had said.

From across the penthouse, I watched her—a thin, quiet figure submerged in the brightness of the city lights. Maya stood near the window, arms around her as though she were bracing against an imaginary breeze. She turned out to be delicate. almost breakable.

Still, she wasn't. I reminded myself that this woman was Bennett; Bennetts was always sure of what she was doing. Her family had thought of this marriage as their way out of debt, their answer. Not on me if she felt imprisoned. I had just signed up to the agreement.