Conrad
Lunch is going well. Maya seems to be enjoying the food. I knew she would. Sadly, we would need to leave soon because she is due back at the office. I have asked for our dessert to be boxed up to takeaway; we can have it tonight.
Maya reached over the table and linked our fingers, “Thank you for lunch, handsome.” She coos.
I lift our hands up to my lips and kiss over her knuckles, “You are welcome, beautiful.”
Maya smiles shyly at me and blushes at my gesture. She really is too damn cute at times. I lean over the table and softly kiss her lips, more of a peck, before pulling back. She smiles brightly at me, and I can’t help but return the same type of smile.
Her eyes divert over my shoulder, and her demeanour changes. I watch panic and fear fill her eyes. She quickly pulls her hand away.
“I-I-I need to go.” She whimpers.
“Maya, what is wrong?” I ask.
She doesn’t answer me. She grabs her things and bolts out of the door. What the hell just happened? I glance around, trying to work out why she changed so quickly. The only thing I could see in the direction her eyes were looking was a couple having lunch. I am so confused. I gather my things, tossing money on the table for the bill and rush out after her. But by the time I arrive outside, all I can see is her in the distance, sprinting up the street.
I don’t understand. Who were they, people? And was it the guy or woman who made her freak out? I took my cell phone from my pocket and tried to call her, but there was no answer. I need to know what happened, but I can’t barge into the office and ask her. I may need to if she doesn’t answer my calls. I need to know she is okay.
I hop into my car and tell my driver to return to the office. I will come up with an excuse to go inside. I couldn’t just let her be, especially since she looked scared. Not surprised, shocked, or sad but scared, so whoever those people are, there must be a reason for her fear.
Once we come to a stop, I try calling her again, but she still doesn’t answer. I don’t know if she had arrived yet, but with how she was running, it wouldn’t have taken her long to get here.
I keep an eye out for her for the next five minutes in case she appears, but she doesn’t. There is only one thing for it. I tell my driver to wait and bolt inside. I pull myself together before entering. I can allow anyone to see my panic and worry for Maya, or I will end up getting her in trouble.
I look inside at her desk, but she isn’t there. Her things are, but she isn’t. Where is she? Maybe the bathroom. I find the bathrooms and wait outside, hoping for her to appear.
After a few minutes, the bathroom door opened, and Maya stepped out.
“Maya, what happened back there?” I ask softly.
She turns to me. I can see she has been crying, “Nothing.”
“Please, don’t lie to me. It was something. You don’t react like that for nothing. Who were those people?”
She shakes her head, “It isn’t the time or place for this. Please leave. We can talk later.”
“No, I need to know you are okay. Please, don’t start pushing me away again.” I beg.
Maya stares at me, runs her fingers through her, but then walks away.
“Maya,” I call after her.
She ignores me and disappears back inside to sit at her desk. Fuck! Now, I won’t know what is going on until later. I groan in frustration, leaving before someone sees me. I have to get back to work, but once I am done, I will be coming right back here to wait for Maya. I will be worrying about her all day.
I can try texting her once I return to the office, and she may text back. I head back out, defeated, and climb back into the car, telling my driver to take me back to work.
****
I have texted and called Maya a few times throughout the day with no luck. Now, I am sitting outside of the office in my car. I didn’t want my driver to have to hang around. I won’t be moving until I see her. I have already been here for nearly an hour. She should be done, but Meredith has obviously got her working late again! I am so pissed off her at for it, but I have more important things on my mind at the moment.
My eyes are firmly on the door, and finally, I see Maya. She looks sad and stressed. I wait for her to walk by my car.
“Maya, please get in the car,” I say.
“Conrad, why are you here?” she whimpers.
“Why do you think?”
Maya sighs but finally climbs in, and I drive away before anyone spots us. When we are at a safe distance from the building, I park the car and turn to her.
“Maya, what happened at lunch? Who were they, people? You looked terrified.” I say softly and reach for her hand.
She quickly yanks it away, “I don’t want to talk about it, okay? Take me home.” She insists.
I don’t move. I refuse to let her put her guard up around me. If she is in some sort of trouble, I need to know.
“No. We are staying right here until you are honest with me.”
“Fine! I will fucking walk home.” She snaps and jumps out of the car.
I climb out and rush over to her, stopping before her, “Stop pushing me away, Maya.” I say softly.
“I don’t want to talk about it! What part of that don’t you understand? Move out of my way.” She hisses and barges by me.
“Maya, stop,” I call after.
“Don’t follow me.” She exclaims.
I groan and tug at my hair. I want to go after her, but I don’t think it would be a good idea. As much as I hate it, I will need to give her a little time to calm down. I will call her later, and hopefully, she answers.
I don’t understand why she won’t tell me. Maybe I could help. I thought we were back on track, but sadly, I have a gut feeling all of this relates to her past she doesn’t want to discuss. I wish she would let me be there for her. I know little pieces of what she has been through, but somehow, I believe there is a lot more, too, and she has had a rough life more than I could have imagined.
One thing I do know is I am not giving up on her. She can try to push me away, but I won’t go. I will keep returning, something I don’t think she is used to. I am here for her, and if she would just let me be, perhaps I can find ways to make her life a little easier and help her move on from her past.