Chapter 37

Maya’s P.O.V

I arrived at work just before the clock struck eight. I’d insisted that Theodore drop me off a block away so that Brian wouldn’t see me pull up in a Bugatti, because that would definitely leave him with questions. Questions I didn’t necessarily have the answers to.

What happened this morning drenched me in guilt. I behaved so unlike myself, but at the same time it was something I’d been yearning for a long time now. But I knew that I shouldn’t have kissed him, especially since I’m dating and that means I technically cheated on my boyfriend. To make matters worse, I kept on thinking about how Theodore said he loves me.

He loves me.

I should be overjoyed and yet, all I had clouded my mind was unbridled vexation. Yes, I am still quite in love with him but I also have feelings for Brian, which I came to realise not even an hour ago. Every moment I’ve ever shared with Theodore has been engraved in my heart and soul; I mean, he’d the first man whom I have shared a profound connection with. And it wasn’t just physically, our minds and souls were connected.

Brian was another story altogether. He made me feel secure and appreciated, and not once had he ever intentionally hurt me. He made sure to be patient and gentle with me. I cannot explain the warm feeling that overcomes me whenever he’s around or when I’m in his arms.

On one hand, I have a man who makes me feel alive and like together we can conquer anything; on the other hand, there’s a man who I know very well is kind and would do just about anything for me. And right now, I just couldn’t decide who was the better option. My feelings for Theodore threatened my sanity and everything I worked on in his absence. I don’t know what he had planned but I was pretty certain it involved whisking me away back to England and working on us.

My life is here in Malibu, but I cannot deny the fact that I’d grown fond of London. But was I willing to just uproot myself from my hometown just to be with a man who had let me down and shattered my heart into a million pieces not even half a year ago? Was I even sure that he had truly changed or was he just saying that so he could pull the wool over my eyes and get me on board on yet another carousal of heartbreak?

I’m so glad that my shift was in the back today, however, I could barely focus on the many music lessons I had to conduct during the day. I’d switched off my phone since I didn’t want to be bothered by either Lexi or Brian. When lunch time came rolling around, I was very grateful that Brian didn’t come looking for me; which could either be because the lunch rush had him really preoccupied or he was probably miffed at me for not being there for our daily walk to work in the morning. Fingers crossed that it is the former in this situation.

At five, my co-worker and I locked up. I felt exhausted, both physically and mentally. I glanced at the café across the street, to see that they were pretty much still open and busy, which meant Brian wasn’t likely available. I could have stopped by to say goodbye to him, but I decided against it. I don’t think I could possibly look him in the eye after what I’d done to him.

On my way home, I had my ear phones plugged in as I listened to some tunes on Spotify. When I felt a hand on my shoulder, I pivoted just about ready to karate chop whoever thought it was a good idea to sneak up on me, only to see that it was Lexi. “Dammit, Alexa! I nearly had a heart attack!” I shrieked at her, trying to calm down my rapid heartbeat.

She shrugged. “Not my fault that you didn’t hear me calling you at least five times. And it didn’t help that your phone wasn’t reachable all day!” she reprimanded me and I uttered a quick apology for being AWOL. “Let’s go over to your place and order a pizza. Feel like I haven’t seen you in like forever.”

I gave her a flat look. “I saw you two days ago, Lexi,” I said and she grinned at me.

“Well, it felt like a lifetime. Now, get your butt moving already. I’m starving.”

***

Two boxes of pizza later, we both were sprawled on my couch watching some series called Emily in Paris. I don’t know why, but I found myself relating to the female protagonist, although my love life wasn’t as complicated as hers. Yikes.

Lexi grabbed the remote and switched the TV off. “Okay, now that you’re less tense, care to tell me what has been bothering you?” she said, and I sighed. I knew that it was going to come to this.

“So, yesterday Theodore Duke showed up at my job and bluntly said he wants me back… which is something I wasn’t at all expecting. Then Brian showed up, and Theodore knows he is my boyfriend and they greeted each other. But Brian doesn’t like Theodore and is suspicious of what happened between us, so I told him nothing happened and we just know each other. Then this morning, Theodore showed up again at my apartment and basically blackmailed me into having breakfast with him at his gorgeous beach house. I taught him how to make pancakes, we kissed and he said he wanted to tell me something over dinner tomorrow…and yeah,” I ranted at one go, and watched as Lexi’s jaw slackened at my words. “Also, I forgot to mention that he said he loves me.”

A rather uncomfortable silence permeated the air, until Lexi’s shrill voice broke it. “HE SAID WHAT?” she screamed so loudly, that I clamped my hand on her mouth to shut her up.

“Keep it down, the neighbours might complain,” I scolded her, before letting her go. She fixed her legs into a cross-legged position as she turned over to sit in front of me.

“I can’t believe it. He came all the way from Europe just to tell you he loves you and wants you back in his life, as his lady love. I don’t like the guy but even I have to admit that is do damn romantic,” she gushed with a starstruck look in her eyes.

I sighed loudly and threw myself back onto the couch. “But I kissed him and inadvertently cheated on Brian with him. Do you know how shitty I feel right now?” I confessed in a pained voice.

Lexi grabbed my hand and rubbed circles on it with her thumb. “You’re being too hard on yourself. What Brian doesn’t know won’t hurt him will it? Anyways, what are you going to do now?”

“I don’t know. I have to hear what Theodore wants to tell me… only then can I decide. Why is this happening to me?”

Lexi chortled at my words. “Oh, woe to you having to choose between a sexy billionaire and a cute barista who are BOTH in love with you. Honey, there are worse things that could happen to you, trust me. If anything, I’m jealous of you. What I can tell you is that, you should just listen to what your heart is telling you,” she advised me wisely, but deep down I knew it wasn’t that simple.

She stood up from the sofa and grabbed her bag. “I’ve got to go, still have to work early tomorrow,” she said and then made for the door. I told her goodbye, before I was left alone in the silence of my unnerving dilemma.

After clearing the mess we’d made and taking a shower, I got into my bed. My phone began to ring and I grabbed it from the nightstand. “Hi Brian,” I greeted awkwardly.

“I surprised you even remember who I am,” he replied coldly and I gulped at his harsh tone. “First, I go to your apartment in the morning only to see you were not there. I tried reaching you throughout the whole day, and not once did I reach you. Where the hell were you, Maya?”

I raked my brain for a plausible lie. “I, uh, I went to see my dad,” I said in a rush, and mentally slapped my forehead. First, I cheat on him and now I’ve lied to him. I’m on such a streak!

He remained silent for a few seconds before speaking. “And you couldn’t have informed me of it earlier? What is going on Maya, this is so unlike you,” he muttered and I felt my heart constrict.

“I’m so sorry, Brian. I don’t know what I was thinking. I promise that it won’t happen again,” I responded half-heartedly.

He sighed. “I know, and I trust you. I just wanted to call and check if you were doing okay. I missed you a lot today, sorry I couldn’t stop by at lunch. The café was packed and I barely got any time to myself.”

“It’s okay, Bry. I’m not angry at you for that.”

“That’s good then. I’ll stop by early tomorrow morning to pick you up. I was wondering if you would like to get dinner with me, perhaps?” he asked softly.

I bit my lip in panic. “I can’t, I’m actually hanging out with Lexi tomorrow night.” When and how did I become such a prolific liar?

“Oh,” he said in dejection. “Another time perhaps. I’ll see you tomorrow then,” I was just about to end the call when he stopped me. “Oh, by the way, I love you Maya,” he whispered lowly and affectionately before ultimately ending the call.

Twice.

Two men have confessed their love to me in the same day.

I stared at my phone in pure shock. Did I hear correctly or…? I was disturbed from my mental dialogue by a notification pinging in my phone. It was a message that read,

Good night, Maya. I cannot wait to see you tomorrow night.

Sleep well and I love you,

Theodore.

I choked on my own saliva as I read his message. How had he gotten my number? Hell, why was I even asking when I knew damn well there wasn’t anything that this man couldn’t do. I couldn’t stop my heart from doing a somersault at his cute message, but afterward, my heart filled with nothing but undiluted dread.

I needed to choose, because they were unwittingly making me choose.

The question is, who the heck was I going to pick?

_____________________________

Monday's update ♥️. Been a bit busy but I came through in the end.

So, I want you guys to know that this book is almost over. Only three chapters left after this and then the epilogue. Very sad...I know 🥺

But don't let that stop you from voting and commenting. I'd like for us to finish off strong, so ghost readers, give a girl some love ✨✨✨

Seems like Maya is in a bit of a sticky situation, innit? 💕

Who will she end up choosing???

Stick around to find out!

Adiòs,

~Deetronite 🌹