Chapter1
Chapter 1
Maya’s POV
I smiled warmly as I drove, my fingertips drumming on the steering wheel as I navigated the streets, heading back to the house.
I was a bit early but I needed everything to be ready just in time so that my boyfriend, Marcus, and I could have a little time together before heading out. My gaze briefly moved to the bag containing the wine I had gotten, that was placed carefully on the passenger seat. Because I had been going job hunting for a long while now, I barely had time to spend with Marcus. Although I was still working at his company and he always complained of my absence, I knew I had to make up for it. Tonight was going to be a great night.
Everything I needed for the gala was in the back seat because I was about an hour early. When I pulled up into Marcus’s driveway, I got out of my car, grabbed my things, and headed to his door with a giddy smile tugging on my lips.
His lights were on, so I knew he was home. When I got to his door, I didn’t knock. I knew his passcode so I typed it in and let myself inside, taking a deep breath of his comforting scent that filled his sitting room. Marcus was my safe haven, my very own perfect match.
"Baby? I’m home early!" I called out, dropping my things on his couch, save for the bottle of wine. There was no answer, only a strange thumping coming from upstairs. My smile faltered as I listened hard, wondering what was going on.
Without thinking, I climbed the stairs and headed to his room. As I approached his bedroom, a sound reached my ears that made the blood freeze in my veins. It was a low moan, followed by a giggle that definitely didn't belong to me. I pressed my ear against the door, hoping I was wrong, but when the moan reached me again, dread settled in the pit of my stomach. Without thinking, I pushed the door open.
The scene made my world crumble.
Marcus was on the bed with his back to me as he continuously rammed into a feminine figure that let out moans, with her legs hung high on Marcus’s shoulders. Julie. My best friend’s cousin. The same girl I had brought along with me to Marcus’s home a handful of times because I trusted her. I thought we were friends. They didn’t seem to notice my presence as they continued living in their own little world. I couldn’t bear it anymore, and I spoke up.
"Marcus?" My voice was barely a whisper.
They both froze as their eyes snapped up to meet mine. Julie’s eyes were a mixture of shock and triumph, like she knew she had the upper hand. Marcus, however, did not look horrified or sorry. He looked annoyed.
"Maya. You're early," he said, his voice flat as he got off Julie and covered himself.
"Early?" I choked out, my heart squeezing painfully. "Marcus, what is this? What are you doing?"
"Don't be dramatic, Maya," he sighed, leaning against the bedframe and running a hand through his hair. "I’ve been telling you for months that your work schedule was becoming a problem. I have needs. If you aren't here to meet them, you can't be surprised when I find someone who will."
The coldness of his words felt like a physical blow. The man I loved, the man I had planned a life with, was looking at me like I was a minor inconvenience he had finally decided to deal with. Julie sat up beside him, pulling the sheet over her chest with a smirk that told me this wasn't the first time.
“Marcus…” I whispered, feeling the air knocked out of my lungs. “That is not an excuse to cheat! I thought we both understood?” Now, tears filled my eyes.
“I could only choose to understand only a few times. Come on, you should know something had to be going on.”
His words were unbelievable. “With her?” I asked, bitter. “You chose to cheat on me with the very girl I thought I could trust?” My gaze trailed to Julie, who was still on the bed with the covers around her. “How do you feel doing this?” I asked, my tone bitter.
“I didn’t do anything. He came for me.” Her tone was as audacious as ever, making me realize I have been played hard.
“Oh God…” I cried as the tears streamed down my face. I thought we were going to build our future and this is how he pays me back?
“Maya—”
“You chose to cheat on me because I refused to be lazy? Because I refused to work for your company free of charge without a purpose in life?” I snapped.
The reason I was job hunting was because Marcus had asked me to work at his company for free because we are dating, but I didn’t want to because then it would seem like I am not making progress. I told him about my decision and he agreed. I thought we both agreed.
His eyes filled with some remorse at my words. “Don’t say that, I still love you—”
“Shut the f**k up!” I yelled, furious now. I glanced at the bottle of wine I was holding, remembering all the things I had planned for us. Now, I felt stupid. Before I could stop myself, I threw the bottle of wine at his head and I watched it slam against the wall before crashing down with its liquid splashing everywhere.
“What the hell?” Marcus yelled, jumping to the other side of the bed, alarmed.
I didn’t wait for him to say more. I spun on my heels and made to leave. “You’re going to regret this, Marcus,” I spat, before hurrying down the stairs. I grabbed my things I had left on the couch before running to my car with hot tears rolling down my cheeks.
