Chapter 33

Maya’s P.O.V

5 Months Later

I woke up feeling lazier than ever. It wasn’t voluntary, as the rays splaying through the half-closed blinds of my room were the culprit. Stifling a yawn in a very unladylike manner, I ripped the sheets off my body only for my skin to immediately prickle. It was mid-September and let’s just say the winter season had come in full force and I wasn’t overjoyed at all.

Going over to the bathroom, I took a short shower and after stepping out clad in a green fluffy towel, I dried my hair. It had grown longer, that it reached my waist and I had dyed it so that it was a lighter shade of brown. I’m glad I woke up when I had, because I had to be at work soon and Brian would be here shortly after to take me there.

I know you’re wondering who Brian is…well he is my boyfriend. We met a little over three months ago. He approached me, asked me on a date, I agreed and the next second, we were a couple. I was tired of nursing my broken heart like I’d experienced a bad break up so I decided to forget about that chapter of my life and moved on. And I’d made a lot of progress too.

For starters, I’d landed a job at a music store shortly after I’d returned to Malibu. I can safely say that it’s the most enjoyable job I’ve had in a long time. I got to be around instruments all the time and I even got extra money by giving guitar lesson. Let’s just say playing the guitar was one of my hidden talents that my parents had helped me to discover. I guess they had done something right.

Brian worked across the street from me, at a local café where he was a barista. Ever since we started dating, he’d stop by every lunch hour and drop off a slice of cheesecake and a cappuccino. Was he risking his job by doing that? Yes. Did he care? Nope. I could tell that he really liked me, but unfortunately, I probably didn’t like him as much as he liked me. I felt so guilty sometimes because when I was with him, I’d be subconsciously comparing him to the one person I’d ever opened up my heart to. The man I still dream about every now and again.

I’d be damned if I ever let his name roll over my tongue again.

The moment I stepped off his private jet, I swore to never ever let myself think about him and yet I’d failed dismally at doing so. It was a good thing that Lexi was there to console me, and I’d stayed with her for a few days until I found a place for myself with the savings I had.

I had not dared cash in that cheque he’d given me. My pride wouldn’t allow it and I knew I’d never feel comfortable living off his money. It made me feel cheap for some reason, and I didn’t like that at all. So, I had stashed it away at the bottom of the drawer where I kept my clothes. Till now, I’d completely forgotten about it.

The first month was tough for me, adjusting to being on my own again. I’d grown so used to having most things done for me that it felt like pure torture going back to cooking, cleaning and doing laundry all on my own. And the fact that I didn’t have to chase after two little people absolutely crushed me. It was like I was missing a minute part of me, that I couldn’t remember how it was like not being around them. That was until the harsh reality of the fact that I’d not being seeing them ever again set in. But I learnt to live with it, hence why I’m still alive and kicking.

At some point I thought I was going insane. I even missed Meredith and our bitter exchanges. Without her, I’d grown docile and mature. My rebellious ways had long since been dormant due to the fact that I tried to avoid drama at all costs. I also missed Matt’s cooking, Ann’s cool quips and Ms. Dukes sageness. I would never forget her parting words to me.

You’ll be back before you know it.

I’d been stupid to think that they would come to fruition, but that was all in vain. I don’t know how many days I’d spent drowning in the absurd notion that him whose name I shall not speak would come back into my life and say he wanted me to be a part of his. As if such a fantasy would happen, my conscience taunted ruthlessly. Nevertheless, I dumped that dream along with my aspiration of becoming a WWE superstar into the dustbin.

Once I looked presentable in a pair of black jeans, a burgundy hoodie and matching vans, I tidied up my room and went over to the tiny kitchen cum dining cum living room. I wasn’t working with much space here but I certainly was not complaining. Just as I poured some cereal into a bowl, my phone went off. I answered it without looking, going to add milk too. “Hello?”

“Good morning darling,” my dad’s voice resounded in my ear, and I slightly grimaced at his affectionate tone. I forgot to mention that I was no on speaking terms with him. Somehow, he had found out I was back in California, and had immediately come to see me. It was a less than cordial encounter but after a few more tries, I decided to at least be civil with him.

He was desperate to make amends, and even though he didn’t deserve my forgiveness or a second chance, he was still my father and I’d missed him a lot over the years.  Sure, it wasn’t easy to overlook all the bitterness he had let tarnish our father-daughter relationship, it was a relatively new and somehow comforting concept that he was back in my life. For once, I’d have somebody who could have my back, that it, besides Lexi.

I settle the milk carton back in the fridge. “Hey dad,” I greeted awkwardly. I then cleared my throat and tried at act naturally. “What’s the occasion.”

He laughed, and I could just imagine his face crinkling at the sides with the same smile I’d inherited from him. “Nothing, dear. I just wanted to say hi and check if you needed anything,” he replied calmy. It was easy for him to act like nothing had happened, but for me it was still quite difficult. I just hope that someday I will get over it and adjust to having him back in my life.

I took in a spoonful and chewed loudly. “No, dad. I’m doing good this side. How about you?”

“I’m alright, Kathrine. I’m just about to leave for work. And if you were wondering, your mother is fine too,” he remarked softly, making me still in my actions. My mother was a different issue altogether.

She’s a tough nut to crack, much like myself. She would rather let hell freeze over before she owned up to her mistakes and tried to rectify them too. Gina Cruz is the most heartless person I know, which is why she is one of the best defence attorneys in the country. To me, my mother was nothing but a lost cause and to be honest, I really didn’t need her in my life. I learned that not too long ago, and it was completely fine if she still wanted to act like I don’t exist. I would simply do the same.

I sighed. “I couldn’t possibly care less about how she’s doing. I don’t have a mother,” I spoke in a levelled tone, and seriously meant what I’d said. “If that’s all dad, I really need to finish my breakfast and run off to the shop. My shift starts in thirty minutes,” I told him. We exchanged our good byes, and I finally ate my cereal before grabbing my bag and heading out.

Exiting the building, I was just in time to see Brian strolling down the street and once he saw me, his brown eyes lit up instantly. He is no doubt very handsome, and even reminded me of Rege-Jean Page from Bridgerton. I’ll admit that I did like him too, but the attraction was minimal. When he got closer to me, he pecked my lips. “Hey baby,” he greeted in his cute British accent. Okay, so I had a thing got Brits now…sue me.

I smiled in return. “Hey Bry,” I said and then we fell into step next to each other. Both our apartments weren’t too far away from each other and from our jobs which meant we could easily walk to and fro. It was both convenient and good for exercise. On our way, we had a light chat and about twenty minutes later, we arrived at the store I worked at.

“I’ll see you at lunch?” I nodded my head, he again kissed me before walking off in the opposite direction.

Taking out the keys from my bag, I unlocked the double glass door and entered the large room that smelled of old wood and music. I’m not sure if music has a smell, but if it did, it would smell like this shop. Brushing off my absurd thoughts, I went over to the back and put my bag away before grabbing a cloth and duster to begin my duties. A few minutes later, my co-worker called Penny arrived. We usually alternated between being at the front and handling the customers, also being in the back with the inventory, housekeeping and the occasional music lessons. Today I’d be in the front.

It was the kind of job that didn’t require too much energy, like working at a top tier restaurant. I was pretty surprised that Lexi was still employed over at Ooh La Food. I really don’t blame her; the pay was phenomenal but the working conditions and environment were substandard. I guess it had gotten better over the months since Yolanda and her friend no longer went there, so she had informed me. But alas, it was never short of pompous and snobby customers.

Lunch hour arrived sooner than I had imagined. It wasn’t too busy today, with about twenty people visiting in order to get new guitar strings, looking for a cello, a trumpet and most of them signing up for guitar lessons. I went to the back to get a sip of water when I heard the familiar chime of the bell above the entrance, notifying that a new customer had arrived. I wasn’t expecting Brian, as he would stop by a little towards the end of lunch, but having a customer during lunch time was odd.

Using my back to open the door, I began to chant our welcome greeting. “Good afternoon. Welcome to All That Jazz. How may I-,” I couldn’t finish the sentence I had memorised frontwards and backwards because of what I was seeing before me.

Oh hell no. I blinked about four times, and even rubbed my eyes each time but the vision would not disappear. Shit, this cannot be happening. When the person dared to smirk at me, I knew for certain that it wasn’t a mirage but indeed a living, breathing human.

“Hello, Maya. It’s been quite a while.”

_______________________________

Good day good people. How are we doing today?

Can you believe that this year is almost over? This also happens to be the last chapter of the year 🥺

I have a lot of things to be grateful for this year, like being part of the Creators Programme, which has been nothing short of exciting!

I'm very appreciative of those of you who stuck by my side all throughout this year, with Ex-Husband Turned Boss, Marriage Merger and Mend My Heart 🙏🏽

I hope you will still be with me next year, when I finish off this book and start the other one I've been working on 😉

Anyways ... Thoughts on the chapter?

Should Maya have forgiven her dad?

What do you think about her moving on with Brian?

And who do you think showed up unannounced at the store???

Stick around to find out!

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Wish you all a happy New Year 🌟🌠🎉🥳. See you all next year!

~Deetronite 😉