Chapter5
919 Words
It was finally the weekend, and Maya couldn't remember the last time she had been this excited. For once, there was no work. No files. No cold grey eyes staring holes into her soul. She was finally going out with her girls.
"You better behave yourself," William teased as he helped carry her bag to the door.
Maya laughed. "I should be the one saying that to you."
William wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her closer. "If anything goes wrong, call me immediately. I'll come pick you up." He kissed her forehead gently. Maya smiled softly. Don't worry, babe. I'll be fine."
A loud honk sounded outside. "They're here!" Maya grabbed her bag excitedly before kissing William quickly on the cheek and rushed out. The second she entered the car, screaming erupted.
"Maya!"
"Oh my God, we finally kidnapped you from married life!" Maya burst into laughter as her friends attacked her with hugs.
"You girls are dramatic."
Emily crossed her arm.
"Says the woman who disappeared after marriage."
"Exactly," Sarah added from the front seat. "You abandoned us."
Tabitha narrowed her eyes suspiciously. "Tell the truth. Does William have you locked up at home?"
Maya laughed harder.
"Stop it."
As the car drove off, Maya glanced back briefly and saw William standing outside watching her leave with a smile. Emily signed dramatically. "You're so lucky. William really loves you."
Maya smiled proudly. "I know."
The long drive quickly became chaotic. Music blasted through the speakers while the girls gossiped nonstop about relationships, work drama. By the time they arrive at the beach hotel, everyone was already exhausted from laughing too much. After checking into their rooms, they rested briefly bed changing into beachwear and heading outside.
The ocean breeze felt amazing.
Maya closed her eyes happily as the cool wind hit her face.
God, she missed this.
Fun.
No responsibilities.
As evening fell, the quiet beach transformed completely. Coloured light flashed everywhere while loud music shook the air. A DJ played energetic songs as people danced wildly near the shore. "The night is still young!" Tabitha shouted excitedly over the music.
Before Maya could protest, Tabitha grabbed her wrist and dragged her straight into the crowd. Maya laughed breathlessly.
"You're insane!"
"And you it!"
Meanwhile, Emily and Sarah had already disappeared with some handsome strangers. Typical. Out of all her friends, Maya was the only married one.
For a brief moment, nostalgia hit her hard. She missed nights like this. Dancing carelessly. Flirting young and reckless.
"Hey, beautiful. Want a drink?"
Maya turned and found herself staring at a tall guy with broad shoulders and an attractive smile. Before Maya could answer, Tabitha pushed her forward dramatically. "There's absolutely nothing wrong with having one drink with a hand some man."
"Tabitha."
"What?" She laughed. "You're married, not dead." Maya rolled her eyes before looking back at the stranger. "One drink," she said finally. His smile widened. "That's all I need." They sat at the bar talking casually while he ordered cocktails for both of them. At first, everything felt normal. Then suddenly.
Maya's head started spinning. Her vision blurred slightly. She blinked hard.
Weird.
Maybe she drank too fast.
"You okay?" The guy asked, leaning closer. Maya immediately stood up. "I think I should go." The room tilted dangerously. The stranger quickly grabbed her arm. "Let me help you." Maya pulled away instantly. "No. I'm fine." But she wasn't. Her heartbeat raced unnaturally fast. Something was wrong. Very wrong.
She needed to get back to her room immediately. Ignoring the guy, Maya stumbled toward the hotel elevators. She just needed sleep. That was all.
But before she reached the elevator, a hand suddenly grabbed her arm again. She turned weakly. It was him.
"Come on," he said smoothly. "I'll help you upstairs. "I said no," Maya snapped, trying to pull away. Unfortunately, her body felt too weak. The elevator doors opened. The man practically guided her inside. Maya struggled harder now.
" let me go." But he only tightened his grip,
Just before the elevator doors closed completely, another person stepped inside.
Tall.
Cold.
Powerful.
At first, he ignored them completely. His attention remained fixed on his phone. But Maya's voice stopped him. "Let me go!" Edward slowly lifted his head and froze.
"Maya?"
Shock flashed across his face instantly. Her cheeks were flushed, her movements weak. And some stranger was holding her arm while she clearly tried to pull away. Edward's expression darkened immediately. "Let her go," he said coldly.
The man scoffed. "Mind your f*****g busi ...." a punch landed straight across his face before he could finish speaking. The man crashed violently onto the elevator floor.
Maya gasped weakly. Edward immediately pulled her against him. "What did he give you?" Edward demanded sharply. Maya shook her head helplessly. "I don't know..."
The elevator doors opened with a ding. Edward didn't waste another second. He carried Maya out in his arms while the other man remained groaning on the floor. Maya's head rested weakly against Edward's chest as he strode through the hallway toward his suite. Everything felt blurry.
Warm.
Dangerously comforting.
Edward pushed open the hotel room door and carefully placed her on the bed. "I'll call a doctor," he muttered, turning toward the door.
But then..,
"Edward." Her weak voice stopped him instantly. He turned slowly.
Maya had already gotten off the bed.
Barefoot snd unsteady, she walked toward him slowly.
And the look in her eyes made his heartbeat stop.
- Writer
