Conrad
I got home today after spending the night in the hospital. I am glad to be home, but I am under strict instructions from the doctor to stay in bed for the next couple of days.
“Are you sure you are going to be okay? I can stay?” Mom asks.
“I will be fine. I wouldn’t be alone. Maya will be here soon.” I reply.
“How can you still be with her after all of this? After all the lies?” she sighs.
“None of this is her fault, so stop blaming her. As for the lies, we decided to keep us a secret because it was best for us. So, stop, okay? I love her. She loves me, and everyone needs to learn to deal with it.” I state firmly.
“I am only looking out for you, Conrad. Are you sure you don’t want to try again with Bridget? She is such a better fit for you.” She asks softly.
“No, I don’t want Bridget, okay? I am with Maya; nothing will change that. And until you can all accept that and learn how to be nice to my girlfriend, do not be coming around here uninvited. None of you have no idea the life she has had, the hell that bastard put her through. I love you and Dad, I really do, but right now, Maya comes first. We have a lot to deal with. I promised her I would be there for her and protect her, so that is what I will do. She isn’t going anywhere.” I snap.
Mom is a little taken aback by my outburst.
“Fine, I understand, but it is only going to end in heartache.” She sighs.
“No, it won’t. Maya makes me happy, Mom. She is it for me. I love her in a way I have never loved anyone. She is an incredible person with a huge heart. So, please stop judging her based on the little you know. She is good to me, mom. She loves me for me. The life I have, the money, none of that matters to her. She wants me and only me. I hope you will give her a chance. I am the only one Maya has. She doesn’t have any family. She doesn’t have friends either because of everything her ex has done. I swear there is a good chance I will marry Maya one day, and when the time comes, I would really like your support on it, along with dads.”
I don’t want to fight with anyone, but I will always have Maya’s back. I am the only person she has.
“Okay. I promise to stay quiet and back off. Do you really think about marrying her? You haven’t been together long.” She says and sits down on my bed.
“Thank you. Yes. I know we haven’t been together long, but it has felt right from the moment we met.” I smile.
“You keep saying no one has any idea what happened to her. What do you mean by that?” she asks.
“It isn’t my place to tell her story, Mom, but she has had such a hard life, even when she was only a kid. And then her ex made her life hell. He was abusive and controlling. I can’t tell you any more than that.”
It is Maya’s story to tell. I don’t want to overstep.
“I respect that. I am sorry we have all been giving her such a hard time. We were worried after what happened. I will talk to your father and tell Bridget to back off, too. And maybe when you are feeling better, you and Maya could come to the house for dinner,” she says, squeezing my hands.
“Thank you, mom. I appreciate that. I will ask Maya. I am not sure she will be ready after everything that was said to her in the last twenty-four hours.”
“I understand. If it makes her more comfortable, the three of us could have coffee or something first.”
“Yes, we will make a plan.” I smile.
She nods, “Okay, we will go and let you rest. Joshua is here if you need anything until Maya comes home.”
We say our goodbyes, and my parents head out. I close my eyes, sighing loudly. I really hope they catch Callum soon. I am worried, not for me; he has already hurt me but for Maya. If he could do this to someone he barely knows, what would he do to Maya if he managed to get to her? The thought of it makes me sick to my stomach. I may need to up security. I don’t plan on letting her out of my sight, and after what happened, I am sure she will be the same when it comes to me.
****
I am not sure how long I have been asleep, but I wake up when I feel a gentle kiss on my lips. I open my eyes and see Maya; she looks tired and sad.
“Hey, angel, what is wrong?”
“It doesn’t matter. How are you, my love? Are you still in pain? Do you need anything?” she whispers.
“I am okay. No, the painkillers are helping ease the pain. Come lie with me.”
She nods, taking her shoes and coat off and climbing in next to me. I slip my arm around her and kiss the top of her head. I know something is bothering her, and it is more than what happened yesterday.
“Please tell me what is wrong?”
She glances up at me, “I got fired. Bridget told Meredith everything.” She whimpers.
I wish she would stay the hell out of our lives. None of this has anything to do with her.
“Sweetheart, I am so sorry. Bridget had no right doing that.”
“It is okay. I will work something else out, but none of it matters right now. My main focus is taking care of you. I will start looking for something else once you are back on your feet.” She replies.
“You know I can take care of you, Maya. What are you going to do about your classes?”
I hate she is losing everything.
“I am paid up for the rest of the semester. I should have a job by then.”
“Okay, but please, if you need anything, do not be afraid to ask. I will happily take care of you for the short term.”
I would happily take care of her in the long term, too, but I know she wouldn’t want it.
“I know, but I should be okay for a little while. Thank you, though.” She smiles and kisses my cheek.
I am glad she is away from that place, to be honest. It was not good for her. Maya deserves so much better, but I know she needed the job.
“I really am sorry,” I reply.
“Honestly, it is okay. Can I get you anything? Are you hungry?”
I shake my head, “No, I am fine for now. All I need is you.”
“You have that. I am not going anywhere.”
She snuggles closer, making sure not to hurt me when she does. She sighs and gently caresses the bruises on my stomach, “Are you sure you aren’t in pain?” she whimpers.
“I promise I am not. Maya, it will all heal. I will be fine. Please stop worrying and blaming yourself. None of it was your fault.”
“I will try. I promise.” She whispers and presses a gentle kiss to my lips.
“Thank you, angel.”
I know Maya well enough to know she will continue to blame herself, no matter what. I will do whatever I take to make her realise the truth.