Chapter 80

*TWO MONTHS LATER*

Maya heard the door open and immediately ran out of the kitchen to it, happiness at the tip of her fingers as she saw them.

She ran and held Lina, hugging her right, hearing Lina laugh in her ears, "Donna, you're acting it out too much."

Maya smiled; it was so easy for her to say, especially not knowing how much Maya had missed her. Luca had taken her out of the manor for a two-week vacation.

How the two weeks had turned into a couple of months needed to be investigated. Those two weren't to be trusted.

She noticed Lina was looking brighter, in a yellow sundress with a large brown hat on her head. Maya looked at her, wondering what the difference was all about.

Though she looked great too, especially when her relationship with Damon had significantly improved, much to her shock, Lina's was unexpected.

During the couple of months that passed, he'd taken her to places he thought she'd like—horse riding, more operas, night dates under the moonlight—then cracked a few lame jokes.

It would have been fun if she wasn't dying inside of guilt, not to be toxic, but why did he have to change now when she had already made a mistake?

Even after two months, it was still wild in her mind, not wanting to be forgotten, striking her when she was in the middle of something, like talking or even working.

The last time she had seen Sir Derinem was during Greta's funeral, two weeks after their accidental affair. He returned to partake in the ceremony and left with Maria that day.

Much to her relief. Things had gotten awkward between them, and instead of playing the hide-and-seek game, she was happy he stayed back.

But why was she sad when she saw him walk out the door?

Lina snapped her fingers at her face. "Madam, I'm here, and you're dreaming?"

Luca laughed, "Hey, Maya!"

Maya turned to see him bringing in luggage through the door. "I thought you guys were never going to come back..."

He shrugged and winked at Maya, saying, "Time went too fast, and she just couldn't get enough of me, Donna."

Lina's face turned red. "Look who talking; I am the reason we are here now."

"Because you got homesick yesterday."

Lina pouted, knowing he had won the argument; he kissed her cheeks and walked past them; in the middle of the stairs, they heard his phone ring.

"Calm down, Derinem. I just saw your missed calls," then he snapped jokingly, "Why would I lie when Lina and I came back yesterday?"

Lina chuckled, "Lying Man."

The smile on her face was so broad as she looked at Luca with pride that Maya couldn't help but look at her; something had changed, and she couldn't pinpoint what.

After Luca was out of sight, Lina turned to Maya, whispering furiously, "I've good news, Donna."

Any news was welcome now; she'd been bored for two months except for the few times she'd visited Abby.

"What's that?" She asked, feeling the excitement too.

Lina took a deep breath, reminding her of when she was about to tell Lina she was pregnant...

Wait, it couldn't be...

"I'm pregnant!" Lina yelled, causing Maya's body to stiffen in shock; at the same time, her heart was racing with happiness: "Oh my God! Lina: I'm so happy for you."

They both held each other, jumping into the sitting room,

She felt sad knowing this would never happen, especially when maestro was taking all precautions so she never got pregnant.

She bit the inside of her lip, forcing herself to smile again. This was Lina's moment; she wouldn't spoil it with bitterness.

Lina kissed her cheek and said, "I'll see you later, Donna." 

Maya smiled as she watched her go up the stairs to Luca.

She shook her head and began to walk back to the kitchen when the very familiar voice stopped her. "Mia Angelo"

Before she could turn, he was twirling her to face him, his hands around her waist, and opening her lips to a gentle kiss. When he pulled back, watching her, she couldn't help but blush in embarrassment.

He chuckled knowingly, "I looked around the house for you; where have you been?"

She shrugged. "I was whipping something in the kitchen; I was just going back in there." She pointed to the kitchen.

He smiled, "running away."

The red deepened. "No, I'm not," She lowered her gaze; she was never comfortable when he looked at her like that, even though his gaze was at its softest.

He raised her chin, "Guardami." 

She whined instead, "Come on, Damon, you can't keep looking at me like that; you know what it does to me."

A cynical smile played at his lips, "no, I don't; why don't you tell me?" 

She gasped when he pulled her closer. "I hate it when you do that."

He shrugged, chuckling, "I like it when you do that; besides, this is the last time I get to hold you this week; I'll be leaving for Calabria tomorrow."

Her brows furrowed. "Oh?"

He nodded, "issues to do with the cartel." He pushed her gently so her hands were above her head against the wall. "Till then, how about I take this off you right now?"

"We are in the open, Damon."

His grin was wide "exactly."

***********

As he had said, he left the following morning, giving her back her cell phone before he zoomed away with most of his men.

Maya saw the men who had been put in charge of following her enter another car and sighed in relief. 

Free and all alone with Lina and Luca, she would make the most of it.

Except for being pregnant, Lina had decided to sleep through the day, and Luca was now in charge of the manor.

The following day, she decided she wasn't going to lay around anymore, standing in front of the mirror all dressed up, wearing a white bag, jean trousers, and a black polo shirt to hide the little weight she was beginning to gain.

She had asked George, and he had dropped her at Abby's door, zooming off so he didn't see her crazy friend.

She was about to knock when the door flung open, bringing an excited Abby, who wore only a baggy top that stopped in the middle of her lap.

Abby smiled, seeing her. "The big guy let you come today," she whispered slyly, "or what do I owe you this visit, Donna?"

Maya pushed her out of the way, chuckling, "Don't start with me, Abb—." She froze as she stared at the sofa, where boxes of doughnuts with chocolate toppings sat.

"Not again," Abby muttered behind her, watching her friend pouncing on the boxes, pulling out one with reverence before taking a huge bite, closing her eyes, and humming.

"Maya, you did the same thing the last time you came..."

"You should be glad I even eat your stuff," Maya jabbed playfully back, "besides, I don't like this." Still, she picked another one, falling back on the chair in relief. "Taste like heaven."

When she didn't hear Abby say anything, she opened her eyes to find Abby staring back at her, observing.

"What?" Maya asked with a frown on her face.

Abby shrugged, "Just wondering when you began eating chocolate-topped doughnuts; you hate chocolates."

Maya shrugged, knowing she had wondered the same thing, especially when her cravings equaled a mule's.

Seeing how Abby stared pointedly at her, Maya dropped the half-eaten doughnut, shaking her head. "No, no, no way you're thinking that," she sat up, "it's nothing; I've just been alone and find eating consoling."

Abby turned her back to her, watching her move toward the bedroom, leaving Maya alone, her heart beginning to thud.

She shook her head again. There was no way any of it could happen, not after sneaking up into Lina's room and finding the leaves, and not only did she take them, but she also took the box to her room and took it the next day, the next, and even the next.

It didn't stop her thoughts from racing when Abby returned with a pregnancy test stick. "I noticed it the last time you came, Maya. I decided not to say anything."

"Abby, please stop saying that," Maya snapped, beginning to sweat profusely. She turned her back to Abby.

"Maya, you're adding weight every fucking day. Have you seen yourself in the mirror lately?" 

"I told you it was binge eating!"

Abby appeared before her, stretching the stick and saying, "If you're so sure of yourself, why are you scared?"

"I'm not scared."

"Then do it and stop acting like a bitch!"

Maya glared at her friend, then down at the stick in her hands; in a moment of defiance, she collected it, raising a brow at Abby. "Watch how I prove you wrong!"

Abby watched Maya walk towards the bathroom, tightening her hands around the stick that Abby was beginning to fear going to break.

Abby waited outside the bathroom door, waiting for Maya, who seemed to be taking her time inside the bathroom.

"Maya, I said you might be pregnant. You're not in labor, jeez."

"Two more minutes," Maya called from inside.

She waited for another 5 minutes, impatience holding her firm; annoyed, she placed her hand on the knob, "Look, you should know how to use a fucking—" She pushed the door open,

The sight that met her had the words stuck in her throat.

Maya sat on the ground, tears trailing down her cheeks, staring at the stick on the ground close to her feet.

"It can't be," she sobbed. "He's going to kill me."

Abby's eyes dropped to the ground where the stick lay, showing two bright red lines.

Abby went to her friend, dropping on the ground before Maya and holding her stiff, cold hands.

"Look, Maya, since he changed, maybe he wouldn't reject this one too."

"You don't get it, Abby," Maya shook with sobs as her reality was beginning to set in.

Abby frowned. What didn't she understand? Was Maya again pregnant for her prickly, domineering husband, and was scared he would force her to abort it?

With the way the tears were pouring down in torrents, Abby knew it wasn't just that.

"Maya, is there something you're not telling me?"

Her friend nodded, raising tear-filled eyes at her, "It's not his baby, Abby," her voice shaking, "it's his brother's."

Abby's eyes widened, gawking at Maya... Maya was right; she was in deep shit.