The Devil's Stolen Kiss

3

Chapter 3

Maya’s POV

The stranger remained frozen under my lips as he didn’t reciprocate, but I didn’t mind in the slightest because I only wanted revenge.

I pulled away, my heart racing as I looked at the man I had just kissed. The electricity I had felt was gone, replaced by a cold, suffocating silence that made me wonder if perhaps I went too far. I looked over my shoulder and saw Marcus staring, his eyes wide in disbelief and his smirk completely erased.

I had won.

I had humiliated him in front of everyone who mattered. But when I turned back to the man I had just used as a weapon, I began to rethink my actions. He didn't look intrigued or even surprised. Instead, he looked at me with a look of pure disgust and fury.

"What the hell was that?" he asked in a dangerously low but deep voice. I watched as he reached into his pocket, pulled out a white handkerchief, and wiped his lips as if I were contaminated. "Who gave you the right to touch me, you pathetic little socialite?"

The word pathetic sliced through me, sharper than Marcus’s betrayal. I was already raw and bleeding on the inside, and this man was twisting the knife. How dare he call me pathetic!

"Pathetic?" I snapped, my voice loud enough to draw even more eyes as I didn’t care at this point. I stepped into his personal space again, refusing to let his massive height intimidate me. As I stared into his cold eyes, I could tell the type of man he is. "You should be so lucky to be touched by a woman like me. You stand here looking like a king, but you're just a cold, arrogant statue. You probably haven't had a real emotion in years."

"You have no idea who you're talking to," he hissed, his blue eyes darkening with fury. He probably expected me to cower in fear and apologize, but my fury was already blooming fast. If perhaps he hadn’t called me pathetic, we wouldn’t be having this conversation.

"I'm talking to an egotistical prick who thinks he's too good for a kiss," I retorted, my vision blurring with angry tears I refused to let fall. "Enjoy your lonely life. You deserve it."

I didn't wait for his response. I spun on my heel and marched out of the gala, not even bothering to check for Marcus. He already saw us kiss, but was it worth it?

I drove home in a daze, my hands shaking on the steering wheel. The adrenaline was gone, leaving only the crushing weight of everything I had lost in a single day. When I finally got back to my house, I didn't even bother to take off my makeup. I collapsed onto my bed and reached for my phone, intending to turn it off and wallow in my pain, but a notification caught my eye. It was a confirmation email for the executive secretary interview I had attended a few days ago.

Subject: Confirmation of Final Interview - Jade Sports Management.

The interview was scheduled for tomorrow morning and then, if I passed this one last time, I would be hired. I stared at the screen, a small spark of hope flickering in my eyes as I dared to think things were going to get better. This was the fresh start I needed to get away from the memory of Marcus and the mess I had made at the gala. With a sigh of relief, I clutched my phone hard and let sleep claim me.

I woke to a pounding at my door. I rolled over and checked my phone, realizing it was already morning. When the loud knock sounded again, I groaned and got off the bed, wondering who would be at my door at such early hours of the day.

“Coming!” I yelled, wincing at my pounding headache. When I pulled my door open, I was surprised to see Marcus standing in front of my door. He looked like he was having a hangover with his suit rumpled as if he slept in it. He also had dark under-eyes and his hair was all messy.

“What are you doing—”

"Maya, please," he began, trying to step past me and walk into my house. "Last night was... it was a mistake. I was drunk, and Julie didn't mean anything. I want you back."

I looked at his disheveled state and silly excuses and for the first time in four years, I didn't see the man I fell in love with instead I saw a man who had intentionally humiliated me. I saw the person who had blamed my hard work for his own infidelity. Worst of all, I remembered clearly that he wasn’t drunk last night when I caught him f*****g Julie. He was as sober as ever.

This reminded me of his countless strange attitudes over the years, but I never questioned him. I trusted him so much I would accept a color to be green if he said so, even though I saw black.

"I'm no longer interested, Marcus," I said, my voice cold and steady. "You chose your path the second you let her into your bed and felt no ounce of remorse when you were caught. Now, get off my porch before I call the police."

“No, please.” He begged, looking around frantically. “I know I messed up, but it only makes me human. If you really love me like you claim, you would forgive me.”

I let out a low laugh at his audacity. “Why are you here, Marcus? Did Julie kick you out of your own house? Because you look like you barely got a night of sleep.” I said, crossing my arms.

“f**k Julie, she’s a b***h and I should have known better. Please, let me come in, I really miss you.”

His words only made me realize I have been dating a coward and now I wasn’t ready to go back. Even though my heart was aching, I knew staying away was the best option, so without exchanging more words with him, I moved back and slammed the door in his face.

I didn't have time for his apologies. I had an interview to prepare for, and I wouldn't let him ruin this for me too.