Beautiful Mistake (Us against The World)

Chapter 5

Maya hesitated, knowing she couldn’t lie her way out of this. Sir, I don’t have a place to stay. I’m new to the city, and I don’t know anyone here. Please, don’t tell the other workers. I don’t want to lose this job.

The guard studied her for a moment, his expression softening. Alright, come in, he said, unlocking the door.

Maya followed him to the back of the restaurant. There’s a staff room here, he explained, opening a small door. It’s where I sometimes sleep at night. It is not much, but it will give you a place to rest. But you can only stay here for a few days.

Thank you so much, sir, Maya said, bowing repeatedly. I promise no one will know about this.

You’d better keep that promise, he warned. This could cost me my job.

I swear, I won’t tell anyone. Maya reassured him.

The guard nodded. Go ahead and take a bath. The restroom is down the hall.

Maya’s gratitude was immeasurable. Thank you, she said again.

By sunrise, the other workers started arriving, bustling into their positions. Johanna spotted Maya and raised an eyebrow.

You’re here so early, Johanna said with a small smile.

Maya shrugged. Just wanting to get a head start, she replied casually.

Well, good for you, Johanna said as she walked off to join the others.

As the day began, Maya fell into her role, grateful to have survived the night and ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.

Sophia stood panting, scanning the area with frantic eyes, when she spotted Uncle Thomas approaching from a distance. Rushing to him, she called out desperately," Uncle Thomas! Any news about her?

Thomas shook his head solemnly, his expression filled with sadness. The police haven’t found anything yet, he said quietly.

Sophia’s knees buckled under the weight of his words. No, she whispered before collapsing to the ground.

Sophia Thomas shouted as he caught her in his arms. He quickly carried her to a nearby vehicle and sped off to the hospital.

Thomas paced anxiously outside Sophia’s room after notifying her mother. When she arrived, her panic was evident. “Thomas, where is my daughter? What happened to her?” she cried, grabbing his arm and shaking him in desperation.

Before Thomas could answer, the doctor entered with a nurse.

Doctor, please! She pleaded. How is my daughter? Is she going to be okay?

The doctor gave a reassuring nod. Your daughter is stable now. She fainted due to her condition. This time it was likely triggered by stress or dehydration.

She’s still unconscious, the nurse added, but she should recover soon. Please follow me to her ward.

Thomas and Sophia’s mother followed the nurse to the room, where Sophia lay motionless on the bed, her face pale, her breathing shallow.

The nurse handed them a clipboard with the bill and a list of medications. Here’s the cost of her treatment and the medication she’ll need to continue taking at home, she explained. Before excusing herself.

Glancing at the paper, Beatrice gasped. These drugs are expensive. Where are we going to get this kind of money? she muttered, her voice trembling.

Thomas placed a hand on her shoulder. Stay with Sophia. I’ll see what I can do to raise the money, he said firmly before walking out.

Left alone with her daughter, Sophia’s mother sat by the bedside, taking her hand gently in hers. Tears streamed down her face. “I’m so sorry, Sophia. I wish I could make things better for you. I hate seeing you suffer like this,” she whispered, stroking her daughter’s cold fingers.

After Sophia was discharged, and they arrived home, the family settled inside. Isabella, Maya’s best friend, walked in.

“Good day, ma’am,” Isabella greeted cautiously. “Please, is Maya in?”

Beatrice, sitting on the worn sofa, barely looked up. “No, she’s not.”

“Okay Where is she, then?” Isabella asked hesitantly.

Beatrice's head snapped up, her tone sharp. I should be asking you that! Maya is your best friend, isn’t she? You two are always together, on the phone, whispering, doing everything side by side. If anyone knows where she's at , it should be you.

Ma’am, honestly, I haven’t heard from Maya in a while, Isabella said, her voice tinged with worry. I tried calling, but her line wasn’t going through. That’s why I came here.

Beatrice scoffed, rising from her seat. Her frustration boiled over. Well, sorry to break it to you, Isabella, but Maya is missing. Or rather, let me put it bluntly, she ran away. Just like you convinced her at her wedding.

Ma’am, I don’t know what you’re talking about, Isabella protested, her eyes wide with shock. I never asked Maya to do any of that! These are false allegations.

Beatrice crossed her arms and stared at Isabella. “Oh, really? You were the last person with Maya before I walked into that room that day. Don’t act innocent. Maya wouldn’t just run away from her wedding, unless she’d been convinced by a jealous, scheming friend like you!”

Ma’am, please, I swear I had nothing to do with this, Isabella pleaded, tears brimming in her eyes.

“You know what? I’ve had enough of your lies,” Beatrice spat. “Just leave. I don’t want to see your face here ever again!”

Isabella, stunned and hurt, stepped back. Fine, I’ll leave,” she said quietly.

Yes, you should! Beatrice shouted as Isabella hurried out, slamming the door behind her.

Mateo approached the door to his father’s room, his footsteps hesitant. He took a deep breath, steadying his nerves before knocking lightly on the door,

Come in, his father’s voice called out.

Mateo pushed the door open, stepping inside. His father, Mr. Julio Alessandro was sitting in his wheelchair, a pile of documents on the desk in front of him.

Good evening, Dad, Mateo greeted., trying to sound confident.

Mateo, his father acknowledged, with a nod. What brings you here?

Mateo stepped closer, rubbing his hands together nervously. I’ve been thinking about something concerning the expansion deal in Milan. I wanted to share an idea.