When He Forgot Her Name

CHAPTER FIVE:THE BREAKINGPOINT

Maya flopped as a waitress at the diner.

She spilled coffee over three guests, accidentally exchanged two orders, and she almost banged into a glass window daydreaming of Jackson doing anything but touching.

Maya was already ready to quit by the time she was pulled aside by Mrs. Lena during the lunch rush. "Sweetheart, what is the matter with you today?" It was the soft, caring voice of the old lady. You are no longer like yourself.

Maya surveyed the little diner with its broken vinyl seats, its flickering fluorescent tubes, its daily customers having coffee and talk. She had spent three years here and this was the only constant she had in her crazy life.

No, I am all right, Mrs. Lena.

Just tired.

Tired? I don’t think so. You're glowing. Mrs. Lena sparkled with the glitter of mischief in her eyes.

There is a man.

"There's no....."

I am not blind Maya, honey, though I am old. You have that look.

The exact expression which my Harold wore when I first saw him. May his soul rest in peace. The throat of Maya tightened. Mrs. Lena, prior to the death of her husband, had spent forty seven years in marriage. Her wedding ring was still there, she still referred to him as though he had gone out to buy groceries.

"It is complex," Maya said at last.

The best is always so. Mrs. Lena stroked Maya in her hand. Nevertheless, difficult things do not always have to be impossible. Just that you must strive to possess it. Those words lingered in the mind of Maya throughout the rest of her shift.

She had made up her mind by the time she reached the Diamond Room that evening. She is going to tell Jackson the truth about her feelings, and let the consequences go to the devil.

However, Jackson was not in his favorite place. Maya actually gave her first set and kept scanning the VIP section. Nothing. She asked Tony during her break, and he shook his head. Not a word of your boyfriend. Perhaps he became tired.

Maya tensed.

Did Jackson reconsider? And were the words she had spoken this morning the reason he had left her?

She had just finished her second set, when Candy burst into the dressing room, still aglow with her excitement. She shoved her phone at Maya and said Girl, you have to see this! Over the screen was a gossip blog and when Maya read the headline, her blood froze over it was written……… Winters Heir at Gentleman's Club……… Engagement in danger.

There was a fuzzy picture of Jackson walking into the Platinum Room, and one of Jackson walking out with Maya in the background barely visible.

Maya exhaled, "Holy molly."

"And it is still worse," said Candy, turning to the bottom. See here. The second image was Jackson and Maya in the kitchen of the apartment, which could be seen through the tall windows. They were already kissing, and it may have been dark and slightly blurred, but what was taking place was quite clear.

"Someone has been following you," Candy said. And now it is all over the internet.

The hands of Maya were trembling, looking down at the screen of the phone. The photos were all about Jackson coming into the club, the two of them in the place where they should have been having all the privacy in his apartment, and their actions being taken and sold to the highest bidder.

"And how long has this been on?" she inquired almost in a whisper. Something like an hour. "It is contagious."

The face of Candy was not good.

This is bad Maya, honey. Really bad.

Maya collapsed unceremoniously into the chair before the vanity mirror, her look returning with horror stricken eyes. The careful makeup she had put on to play her role now looked like war paint to an upcoming battle that she was about to lose.

"I need to ring him,"

she said, taking out the phone.

Are you nuts? Candy held her wrists. Girl his people are still under full scale damage control.

You suppose they will allow him anywhere near you?

Her words triggered the buzzing of Maya phone. Jackson showed on the screen, and she answered, not letting the first ring sound over.

"Maya."

He spoke with a stressed voice and he was tired. Have you seen...?

"Yes."

She shut her eyes, endeavoring to restrain her tears.

Well, Jackson, I am so sorry. I never wanted this to occur. It is really not your fault. The belief in his tone closed her heart. But maybe we have things to say. Not by telephone.

Are you able to meet me?

"Where?The entire world is watching nowadays." The wholesale area. An old coffee roaster on Fifth Street... it stood neglected for several years. I will send you the address.

Maya glanced at the costume hanging on hooks, at the other dancers in preparation for their sets in the dressing room. One way or another, this world which had been her prison was going to be her past.

I should get there in a quarter of an hour. Jackson caught his voice,

"Maya," what I said this morning. Whatever I said I meant every word. Maya was in a dumb shock after picking up. Candy was eying her curiously and a little anxious.

What are you going to do? Candy inquired in a low tone.

I do not know. Maya got to her feet, swaying slightly. I cannot conceal any longer. This is a game changer. Halfway to the door she was stopped by the appearance of Tony with a thunderous face.

What are you doing going off there? "Where the hell do you think you are going?" he demanded. In ten minutes, you are on.

"I should resign," Maya said, and to her surprise in a firm voice. Tony laughed brutally.

"You quit?

Just like that? “With all this club has done for you?"

What has this club done to me?

Maya turned around against him. I have brought you more money than any other girl in town, Tony. I have served you six nights a week during the last five years, and I have never given you a moment of bother. I have nothing to thank you.

Tony told her, "You leave that door, you never come back."

Good.

Maya said and meant it.