Maya
I pull up outside of Conrad’s office. I had brought him some lunch, which I made at home. He knows I am coming, I had to make sure he didn’t order lunch. I park and climb out of the car, but as I do, my path is blocked.
“Hello, baby doll. It has been a while.”
A shudder runs straight through my body at the sound of his voice. I look up, and Callum smirks down at me. My heart starts to race in my chest, but I make sure to stand tall and confident. I am not showing him any fear. My fear was the weakness he used against me.
“Get the hell out of my way before I call the police.” I snap, hiding my shaky hands behind my back.
“You can, but I would be gone by the time they arrived. They haven’t caught me yet. What makes you think they are ever going to catch me?” he laughs.
I take my cell from my pocket, “You have ten seconds to get the hell away from me.” I warn.
He snatches my cell from my hand and throws it hard to the ground, shattering it, “What are you going to do now?” he asks, pressing himself hard against me, trapping me between him and the car.
It makes me feel sick having him close to me.
“Leave me the fuck alone, Callum.” I snarl.
“No. What is going to happen is you, and I are going to climb into your car. You will follow my directions. If you don’t, I will make sure your precious boyfriend is the one to get hurt. I have friends who aren’t afraid to get blood on their hands. One call is all it will take, and I can make sure a group of them are here, waiting for him when he comes out.” He replies, a smug look on his face.
“Leave him alone. He has nothing to do with this.” I whimper.
“He has everything to do with this. He took what was mine. If he weren’t around, you would be back with me. He is the only thing coming between us.” He says.
He really believes if Conrad weren’t in the picture, I would be with him. How fucking delusional can he be? I ran for a reason. I would never get back with him.
“Even if I was not with him. I would not be with you. I will never be yours again.”
I try my best to be confident, but my words are shaky. I watch a darkness flash in his eyes, and his fists clench at his sides. It is a look I am familiar with. The one he used to get before he hurt me. My legs become weak under me, and I feel like the scared little girl I used to be. Why does he still have such an effect on me? He shouldn’t be.
“You have two seconds to get into the car, Maya, and if you try anything, you will only make it worse for you and Conrad.” He warns.
“She is not going anywhere with you. Step away from her, right now.”
I don’t recognise the voice. I glance over Callum’s shoulder and am surprised to see Conrad’s father standing there. He wasn’t alone. There is some other guy with him, a big guy.
“This has nothing to with you.” Callum hisses.
He pulls me off the car and grabs my arm, “Open the car.”
“Do not make me tell you again. Let her go.” Mr Ackley warns.
Callum ignores him until Mr Ackley places his hand on his shoulder. I watch Callum wince. He must be pressing against a pressure spot, “Don’t make me tell you again.”
Callum swings around and is ready to start on Mr Ackley but changes his mind when he sees the big guy standing next to him. He backs away like the coward he is and runs off like the scared little man he is.
“Maya, are you okay? Who was that?” he asks softly.
I look at the ground, trying to fight back my tears, “My ex, Sir.”
“Wait, the one who knocked down Conrad?”
I whimper at the reminder and look up at him, “Yes.”
“He is still bothering you both?”
“Yes. I am sorry, sir, you had to see that and step in. I know it was the last thing you wanted to do, especially for me.” I whisper, my words barely audible.
“Maya, I know we haven’t gotten off to a great start, but you don’t need to apologise. I should be the one to be apologising. I didn’t realise the type of man he really was. Yes, I know what he did to my son, but from what I witnessed, I can assume he was abusive towards you when you were together?”
His eyes soften, and so does his voice.
“Yes. The last thing I wanted was to cause any more trouble for you and your family. Maybe you and Bridget are right. I should have disappeared by now.”
I can’t fight back the tears anymore, and they roll down my cheeks.
“Maya, I am so sorry I have been giving you such a hard time. I didn’t realise. I know what that type of relationship can do to someone.” He sighs.
I nod, “Yes, she told me.”
“Come on, let’s get you inside.” He encourages.
I take the lunch I made from the back, and he stays by my side as we enter the building. I wipe my tears away and rub my wrist, which is a little sore because of Callum’s grip on me.
“What is being done about him?” he asks.
“All of the information and evidence has been handed into the police. Conrad has also hired a private detective. Yet, somehow, no one can find, but he still seems to be able to appear without being caught.” I reply, frustrated.
“Leave it with me. I know people higher up.”
“I don’t want to involve your family more than I already have.” I sigh, guilt taking over me again.
“We are already involved. It is my job to protect my family, and it is my son’s job to protect you. I will make sure the bastard gets caught, or I will file a complaint,” he states firmly.
“Thank you, Sir.”
I don’t want to end up in a disagreement with him. It is the longest conversation we have had. I rest against the elevator wall, close my eyes and sigh. How did I not see Callum lurking around? I am usually cautious. I can’t get my head around that he seems to be staying close, yet no one can find him. Why is that? He isn’t that intelligent. I have no idea how he is managing any of what he is doing without getting caught.
A part of me now wishes we had stayed in London and not returned. We had fun with no worries and no Callum when we were there. I don’t even want to imagine what would have happened to me if he managed to get me into the car. If Mr Ackley didn’t turn up, it would not have ended well for me. I need to start being careful again, as does Conrad, especially after Callum’s threat about sending his friends here to attack him. It is the thing that scares me the most: Conrad getting hurt again because of me.