Conrad
I just arrived with my parents at the event, and I saw Meredith coming towards us. Maya was trying to keep up with her. She looks pretty in her dress, but I need to keep it together. I don’t want anyone to suspect anything. Meredith acts sweetly and kindly towards my parents and me.
Maya stands nervously behind her, eyes on the ground. She is nervous. I don’t like seeing her like this, but it is what Meredith does to her. She doesn’t even have the decency to introduce Maya to everyone. It is rude, in my opinion.
“Mom, Dad, this is Maya, Meredith’s assistant. We met when I stopped in at the office.” I say politely.
Meredith does not look amused by my mentioning her, but she keeps a fake smile on her face because we are here. Maya’s head shoots up, and she finally meets my eye.
“Hello again, Mr Ackley.” She says softly.
I hate this! I hate that we need to act like we aren’t together, and Maya has to call me Mr Ackley. She says a polite hello to my parents, to which they return. Maya’s eyes fall back on me. I smile at her, and she returns it but then looks at the ground again.
Meredith didn’t stay long and hurried Maya along like she was a damn child. My fists clench at my side. I wish I could say something to Meredith because it pisses me off how she treats my girlfriend. A part of me wishes Maya would just quit, but I know she won’t. I could take care of her and pay her school fees until she finished with college, but she would never allow that. Maya likes her independence, and I respect that; she deserves it after all the shit she has been through.
I sigh as we head to our table to sit.
“Are you okay, Conrad?” mom asks.
I nod, “Yes, I am fine.”
There would be another two people sitting at our table. I have no idea who. I am sure they won’t be strangers since everyone seems to know my family, and we know them.
I scan my eyes around the room in search of Maya. I spot her, but she seems to be getting scolded by Meredith. Why, I don’t understand because she has done nothing wrong. I fight the urge to storm over and give Meredith a piece of my mind and tell her to leave my damn girlfriend alone. The longer I watch, the stronger the urge is, and just as I am about to stand up to go over, Meredith stops, and Maya disappears back to work. God, I really do hate that woman. She is horrible.
“Conrad, why didn’t you bring Mia with you?” Mom asks.
“She had to work. I will see her later, though.” I smile.
“Are we ever going to meet her? I am beginning to think you have made her up.” Dad teases and laughs.
I chuckle, “I promise you; she is real. She is just busy and quite shy. You will meet her at one point, but only when she is ready.” I reply.
“Okay, we hope so. I would like to thank the woman who is making my son happy.” Mom replies.
“And you will, I promise.”
I don’t know when or how it will happen, but it needs to one day. We can’t hide forever. A waiter coming over with champagne for us stopped the conversation, which I am glad about because I don’t like lying to them.
Once the waiter is gone, I change the subject before they bring it up again.
“It would seem like I am sitting with you guys.” I hear from behind me.
I knew who it was straight away. Bridget! What the hell is she doing here? She wasn’t on the list, as far as I know. My parents are quick to stand and greet her.
“Please, come sit.” Mom smiles.
Bridget takes the seat next to me, “Hello, Conrad.” She says sweetly, like she wasn’t trying to lie and ruin my relationship the last time I saw her.
“Hi.” Is all I reply.
Something suddenly clicked. She met Maya when we were at the Hamptons. If she sees her here, then everything will be ruined. Fuck! I need to warn Maya. Bridget is the last person I want to end up exposing us, and I am sure Maya feels the same. I need to make sure they don’t cross paths. Maya can’t exactly leave because Meredith won’t let her. She will be here until after the event finishes.
“What is going on here?” Dad asks, pointing between Bridget and me.
I guess my mom didn’t tell him what happened.
“The last time we saw each other, Bridget was trying to ruin my relationship with Mia. She also made her feel unworthy when we ran into her in the Hamptons.”
I reply with complete honesty because I am not going to lie about it.
“I am sorry about that, but I stick to my word. Mia isn’t right for you.” She states firmly.
I turn to face her, keeping myself calm, “You know nothing about her or our relationship. It is none of your business. And frankly, I don’t even want to discuss her with you, not tonight.”
“Yes, let’s not cause any trouble. Do you think you two can be civil for tonight?” Dad asks.
“I don’t have a problem with Conrad,” Bridget says sweetly.
“I can do that, but if she says one more thing about my girlfriend, then I will move to a different table,” I warn.
I will not sit here with her if she thinks she has the right to badmouth my girlfriend because she is my ex.
“I won’t say a word.” She promises.
I don’t know if I believe her, though. I sigh and take a large gulp of my champagne. I look to see if Maya is anywhere in sight, but she isn’t. I need to warn her that Bridget is here.
I take my cell out and make sure my screen is turned away from everyone.
Bridget has shown up. She is sitting at our table, so please be careful where you go. I had no idea she was coming. If I knew, I would have warned you. I am sorry, beautiful xx
I slip it back into my pocket before I am called out for being rude. I don’t even know if she will read it. She took hours to reply to my last text. I will need to keep an eye out, and if I see her, I will go to her. She needs to know so she can avoid her at any cost. I think Bridget would use the face she works for my family’s company, and we lied to her against us. She could use it to get my parents on her side and possibly Maya fired. I will not let any of those things happen. I am going to be stressed out all damn night. I know Maya will be even more stressed than she already is, but I couldn’t keep it from her. It would be too risky.