Chapter 34

Maya’s P.O.V

My lips opened in an attempt to speak, but the only thing that came out was a strangled squeak. The person found this apparently very funny as they released a throaty albeit brief chuckle. They took steps forward, raking their eyes over the various instruments that decorated from top to bottom.

“Are you not going to say anything at all?” he asked, brow quirking up in amusement, the ghost of a smile playing at his lips.

I was so miffed at myself right now for not being bale to act composed. I’d practiced and rehearsed this for days on end in the event that something like this would ever happen…but in hindsight, I never really thought I’d see him again. And as much as I would like to deny it, I was lowkey ecstatic because I could not count how many sleepless nights I had had just imagining something like this happening.

It's time to put my acting skills to use. Exhaling loudly through my mouth, I let an impassive look overtake my facial features and gave him a blank look. “I can’t say I’m not surprised to see you. Are you by any chance looking for a musical instrument? I think the tuba would suit you well,” I said with a sarcastic lilt in my voice.

He came to a stop in front of me, but the only thing standing in his way was the counter. Up close, I could see that he had changed remarkably over the months. For one, his eyes were a brighter shade of blue and they were more beautiful than ever, no more two depths of sorrowful pools. His hair was shorter than I remembered and instead of being styled to the left, it was elegantly combed to the right. Yes, I noticed it since I spent that much time observing him so I know. Don’t judge me.

The contours of his body had grown bulkier, but not in such a way that he could be classified as buff. “Your sarcasm is still refreshing but I know you know that’s not why I’m here,” he clarified firmly, his cobalt irises assessing me slowly. “You’re even more beautiful than I remembered,” he muttered more so to himself than me but I still heard it anyways.

I would have blushed if it wasn’t for the fact that my skin is more on the darker side, something I was immensely grateful for right now. “W-why? Why are you here?” I splurged out desperately. My life was just beginning to fall into place and now he’d come back to ruin my efforts in realigning it? That was beyond unfair. And yet, my hammering heart says otherwise.

“I’m back for you,” Theodore pronounced deeply, his elegant voice tickling my ears and evoking such a raw sensation of yearning that it almost toppled me over. He reached his hand out to stoke my cheek gently and I automatically leaned into his touch. No dammit! He can’t just waltz in here and act like he didn’t nearly destroy your life not too long ago!

Regaining my senses, I slapped his hand away before rounding the counter with ferocious steps and came to stand in front of him. “Don’t come in here with your deceptive charm and surreal good looks thinking I’ll fall for that bullshit. You must have fallen and hit your head on the way over here because the last time I recall it was you who didn’t want me in your life!” I snapped in outrage and pointed my fingers at his firm chest, I almost hurt myself in the process.

He caught my hand, probably to stop me from breaking it in half. “Maya, I never said I wanted you out of my life. I didn’t want you to settle for less. You’re too bloody precious for that. I needed to fix myself and only then, would I come back to you. Don’t you remember my last words to you?”

Of course, how could I forget them? Thank you for giving me a reason. I’d pondered long and hard about those cryptic words and I couldn’t, for the life of me, reach a conclusion as to why he had said that to me.

He sighed and placed my hand on his chest. His heart was beating faster than mine. “You gave me a reason to get the help I needed. And in the process, you began to piece my heart together piece by piece,” he whispered, his hot breath fanning my face. I saw his alluring eyes flicker over to my lips but I didn’t get to dwell too much on it because the bell at the door chimed yet again, causing me to inch out of his grasp and stand a couple of inches away from him.

“Hey babe,” Brian beamed as he came to stand beside me and placed a big smooch on my lips. His action startled me and my eyes flew to Theodore, who was sporting a surprised expression before schooling it into a smug look. “I brought you your lunch. Sorry I’m a bit late, I could barely make it out due to the lunch rush.”

I cleared my throat as I took the small brown bag in my hands. “If you were busy, you shouldn’t have come. You can’t risk your job for me,” I scolded him and he shrugged noncommittally.

“You are my girlfriend and you will always come first,” he told me affectionately, before a loud clearing of the throat interrupted him. Brian turned around to look at Theodore, who was regarding us with amusement. But why did he look so chilled about this? The last time I’d gone out with Leslie he had a conniption but now he seemed unfazed.

I face palmed inwardly. “Brian, this is Theodore. He’s a…” I trailed off. But what I supposed to say? We had a thing going on previously but it wasn’t exactly a proper employee-boss relationship. We weren’t lovers either. So, what were we?

Theodore extended his hand to Brian, and they shared a hand shake. “She’s someone who fell into my life unexpectedly. I guess you can say I’m her colleague,” he quipped sarcastically and Brian looked confounded by his words. “And you must be her boyfriend,” he stated and gave me the side eye. For some reason, hearing him say it out loud made me feel super embarrassed.

Brian wound his arm around my waist and pulled me to his side. I easily deciphered that he felt threatened by Theo, yet again, who wouldn’t? He always had that effect on everyone he came across, and now my boyfriend could be added to that list. “Yes, I’m her boyfriend. I’m sorry, did I interrupt you two?”

Theodore was about to respond when I beat him to it. “Not at all, Theodore here just stopped by to say hi. He was just about to leave,” I smiled tightly, motioning Theodore towards the door with my eyes.

He pouted but it vanished as quickly as I saw it. There is no way this was the same man I’d met half a year ago. “She is right, I must return to the office. It was great meeting you Brian. I’ll be seeing you around Maya,” he said before turning to leave. I didn’t miss the subtle wink he sent my way when he stepped out of the shop.

I let out a breath I didn’t even know I was holding. That little scenario had left me feeling both confused and alarmed. “I don’t like that guy,” Brian grunted as I went back to my post and opened up the bag. I had not forgotten the fact that I was famished, and food has always mattered a lot more than drama to me.

I took a bite of the éclair Brian had brought me. “Really? Why?” I feigned oblivion when I knew he had every right not to like Theodore Duke.

“He’s arrogant and I really don’t like the way he was looking at you.”

I frowned. “How was he looking at me?”

“Like he wanted to rip your clothes off and take you on that counter,” he aired bluntly and I immediately choked on the piece of éclair in my mouth. Brian rushed to my side and rubbed my back. He handed me the iced coffee he had brought me to wash down the blasted piece of confectionery that almost made its way down my trachea.

I took a huge gulp of the chilled liquid. “Why…why would you say that?” I coughed furiously, and looked at him warily. Had he really been looking at me like that? Wait, why does that make my stomach flutter? Shut that down right now, Maya.

Brian rolled his eyes. “Don’t act like you don’t know. And the way he described your relationship makes me kind of wonder how you two met and if you don’t mind me asking, why really was he here? What is he to you?” he fired rapidly, eyes narrowing.

I sighed. “Brian, he told you that he and I are merely people who know each other. He was in the neighbourhood and decided to pay me a visit. Don’t think too deeply about it,” I said calmly and cupped his face with my hands. “I’m your girlfriend and you should trust me.”

He smiled at me and ran his hand through my hair. “I know darling. I trust you, but him on the other hand, I don’t trust. I hope that is the last time he comes around here and sees you.”

I too shared that sentiment but believing and hoping for that was nothing but a fallacy. I saw that look of determination in his eyes…he wanted me and he would not stop at nothing until I was his.

And to make matters worse, I’m not sure if I could resist him.

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And so, we meet again in 2023!

This is the first chapter of the year! Did you find it good?

It seems Brian is jealous of Theo...but can we blame him?

What other tricks does Theodore have up his sleeve?

Keep reading to find out more!

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~Deetronite 🌹✨