Chapter 133
Maya's POV:
Jenna Hartwell called to invite me shopping. Since I was currently unemployed and Mrs. Sterling was eager to watch Amy, I agreed.
"Maya! Get in!" Jenna grinned, revving the engine.
We spent the afternoon getting manicures and drifting through boutiques. By dinner time, Chloe called. She had just finished work, so I invited her to join us.
We met at a trendy seafood restaurant in the Seaport District. We took our seats, and the waiter poured water. Suddenly, Chloe froze. Her eyes narrowed as she looked past my shoulder.
I turned to look. It was the Hayes family. Marcus Hayes, his sister Tiffany, and their mother, Diane. They were sitting at a round table nearby.
They were close enough that we could hear their conversation clearly.
"Mom, what did the Sterling family say?" Tiffany asked, her voice high and anxious.
Diane looked sour. "Your father said Robert Sterling confirmed it. Adam not only has a girlfriend, but he also has a daughter. The marriage alliance is off the table."
"That’s impossible," Tiffany scoffed, stabbing at her salad. "I saw the news. Adam was caught with some woman who had a kid, sure. But the tabloids said she seduced him. She’s just a gold digger."
She took a sip of wine. "A woman like that could never match Adam Sterling. And a secret daughter? It’s ridiculous. I don’t believe it."
"Your father heard it directly from Adam and Robert," Diane said. "It’s likely true."
Marcus spoke up, his voice lower. "I saw Adam with that woman. He was very protective of her. It looked serious, Tiffany."
"I don't believe Adam would marry someone like that," Tiffany insisted. "He’s probably just playing around for a while."
"Tiffany, give it up," Marcus sighed. "Don't provoke Adam Sterling. The man is cold. He’s difficult to deal with."
"Cold is relative," Tiffany said dreamily. "If I were the one beside him, he would be warm. If I secure Adam, he’ll treat me like a queen."
Next to me, Jenna rolled her eyes so hard I thought they might get stuck. She abruptly stood up and marched over to their table.
"Tiffany, do you have no shame?" Jenna announced loudly. "You think you can land my cousin? Keep dreaming."
Tiffany’s face turned bright red. "Jenna Hartwell? Were you eavesdropping on us?"
"I wasn't eavesdropping. I was listening openly because you're loud."
"Don't get smart with me, Jenna," Tiffany hissed. "When I marry Adam, you'll have to show some respect."
Jenna burst into laughter. "Tiffany, are you hearing yourself? Please, stop embarrassing yourself. The position is filled. You can move along."
Jenna turned, ran back to our table, and grabbed my arm. She dragged me over to the Hayes family.
"Look," Jenna said, presenting me like a prize. "This is my cousin-in-law. Adam loves her to death. You have zero chance."
I rubbed my nose awkwardly. Jenna was a force of nature.
Tiffany looked me up and down with a sneer. "Her? Jenna, stop joking."
I met Tiffany’s gaze calmly. "I’m sorry to disappoint you. Adam and I are dating, and we might get married. And yes, we do have a daughter."
Jenna smirked. "Time to wake up, Tiffany. Come on, Maya, let’s eat."
I nodded politely at the stunned table. We went back to our seats. The Hayes family left quickly after that.
"Speechless," Jenna muttered, picking up her menu. "The nerve of some people, thinking they have a shot with my cousin."
"A lot of people want your cousin," I said, smiling.
"True. Adam is handsome," Jenna agreed. Then she leaned in. "But even though everyone wants him, his heart is entirely yours. He doesn't look at other women. You feel his love, right, Maya?"
I shook my head. "Not really."
Jenna immediately grabbed her phone. "I’m calling him right now. He needs to come here and prove it."
I laughed and snatched the phone from her hand. "Okay, okay. I feel it."
Jenna giggled and nudged my arm. Her expression turned mischievous. "So... Maya. Did you and Adam sleep together?"
I choked on my water, covering my mouth.
Chloe rested her chin on her hand, grinning. "Yeah, did you?"
My cheeks heated up. "Of course we did."
"Wow!" Jenna squealed.
"How else would we have Amy?" I whispered.
"No," Chloe said. "We mean now. Five years later. Have you slept together recently?"
"I’m not telling."
Chloe bit into a shrimp decisively. "You definitely did."
"Why do you think that?" Jenna asked.
"Experience," Chloe said.
Jenna’s eyes widened. She slid her chair closer to Chloe. "Is that experience from sleeping with Parker? Tell me! How many times a night? What positions? Is Parker good in bed?"
Chloe groaned and pushed her away. "If you're so curious, go find a man and try it yourself."
Jenna sighed, looking wistful. "But I don't have a boyfriend. I can't just grab a random guy."
"Right," I said quickly. "Don't be reckless. You're young. Don't rush into it with just anyone."
Jenna nodded solemnly. "You're right, Maya. I'll listen to you. I can't risk catching a disease. That would be tragic."
I put a piece of beef on her plate. "Smart girl."
Jenna chewed for a moment, then looked at Chloe. "Chloe, do you know Tiffany? Why did she... "
Chloe kept her face neutral. "I don't know Tiffany well. But I know Marcus."
"How do you know him?"
"I was with Marcus for three years," Chloe said calmly.
Jenna dropped her fork. "What? When?"
I touched Jenna’s arm, signaling her to stop.
Jenna realized her mistake. "Oh. Chloe, I'm sorry. I have a big mouth. You don't have to answer."
Chloe smiled faintly. "It's okay. It's in the past. We kept it secret. Besides his family, almost no one knew."
Jenna slammed her hand on the table. "Scumbag!"
Chloe ate her salad, looking unbothered. "It's over. I don't want him anymore."
We walked out of the restaurant a specific hour later. The valet was getting our car. Suddenly, Marcus Hayes stepped out from the shadows.
"Chloe," he said, blocking her path. "We need to talk."
Jenna immediately stepped in front of Chloe, hands on her hips. She glared up at Marcus. "Talk to my ass! She has nothing to say to you!"
Marcus frowned at her. "This has nothing to do with you. Move."
"I'm not going anywhere," Jenna snapped. "You have a wife, don't you? Why are you harassing Chloe? Do you have no morals? You're disgusting!"
Marcus’s face went dark. "Jenna Hartwell, don't think you can do whatever you want just because you're a Sterling. My patience has limits."
I stepped forward. "The Sterling family doesn't do 'whatever we want.' The Sterling family is honest and upright. We own our actions. We don't trick women into secret relationships."
Jenna clapped loudly. "Exactly, Maya! That’s the Sterling way. You nailed it."
Marcus looked between the two of us, realizing he was outgunned. With a frustrated growl, he turned and stormed off.
Jenna and I high-fived.
"Maya!" she beamed. "I thought you were a total softie, but you've got claws!"
I patted her shoulder. "I learned from the best."
Jenna laughed, throwing her arm around me. "Maya, I am obsessed with you."
"Don't let Adam hear that," I teased. "He gets jealous of everything."
Jenna covered her mouth, giggling. "I know, I know."