Chapter 67: Diana turned my request down

Maya's pov

Hudson’s dick was still hard, pointing upward even after he had released on my fingers. This was something I didn’t like, yet there I was, caught in something I couldn’t undo. Quickly, I grabbed a cloth and cleaned him up, my hands trembling. My heart raced as I hurriedly dressed him back in his boxers and trousers. My breath was fast and my only thought was to leave the house immediately. I needed to confront Hazel.

Hazel was driving me insane. Nothing had hurt me more recently than the way she was treating me. She had intentionally deleted the man’s number and now she refused to give me access to the social account he used to contact the gigolo. It felt like she was playing games with me, knowing how desperate I was for answers. The betrayal cut deeper than I could express.

By the time I left the house, it was 6:15 pm. The evening sky had darkened, casting shadows across the roads. Wale, my precious little girl, was securely fastened in her car seat at the back. She was the most important person in my life, my reason for everything. As I glanced at her in the mirror, a surge of protectiveness engulfed me. I couldn’t let anything happen to her.

Even stepping out at this time of the evening felt like a mistake. Dark thoughts clouded my mind, and I couldn’t shake them off. What if someone kidnaps Wale? The idea sent a chill down my spine, and my heart began to pound. I tried to dismiss the thought, but it lingered in my mind and was causing me fear.

To ease my growing paranoia, I drove faster. That was when I caught sight of the rearview mirror and noticed something unusual. A blue sports car seemed to be following me. At first, I told myself it was just a coincidence. “Stop imagining things,” I muttered under my breath, trying to shake off my fear. “That car is not following you.”

But the thought wouldn’t leave me. I decided to test it. I slowed down, hoping to see the car overtake me. Instead, it also slowed down. My stomach tightened uncomfortably. It’s following me. The realization hit me like a cold slap and my only thought was to protect Wale. I pressed the accelerator harder, determined to put as much distance as possible between us and the mysterious car.

The faster I went, the further behind the blue car fell, but my fear didn’t dissipate. When I finally reached Hazel’s house, I didn’t waste a second. I grabbed Wale, clutching her tightly to my chest, and rushed toward the front door.

“Hazel! Hazel!” I called out, my voice shaking. She hadn’t expected me, of course, I hadn’t called her to let her know I was coming. The door was unlocked, thankfully, and as I stepped inside, Hazel appeared. She was just coming out of her room, her expensive perfume following her step. She wore a short red skirt, paired with a smug expression that made me grit my teeth.

“What are you doing here?” she asked, startled.

“Lock the door!” I cried. “Someone’s following me. They’re after me and my baby!” My voice cracked as I spoke. Without a word, Hazel moved quickly to lock the door. I sank into the nearest chair, clutching Wale tightly. My breathing was faster like I have run a long distance, and my mind raced with worst-case scenarios. Hazel stood there, arms crossed, watching me.

“Why didn’t you tell me you were coming?” she finally asked, her tone somehow showed she didn't care.

Before I could answer, a loud knock on the door interrupted us. The sound sent a wave of fear through both of us. My heart leapt into my throat, and Hazel’s eyes widened.

“Why would you bring a stranger to my house?” she hissed, her voice low but accusing. She was quick to place the blame on me, as if I had invited danger into her life.

Another knock followed, this time accompanied by a voice, familiar, but unexpected.

“Maya, open the door,” the voice said.

I was amazed. “Mr. Grayson?” I called out hesitantly, my voice trembling.

“Yes, it’s me. Open the door,” he replied.

Relief finally fell on me, but it was quickly replaced by embarrassment. Mr. Grayson was here, of all people. I got up and opened the door, feeling foolish.

“Is this where you stayed last night?” he asked as he stood at the doorpost.

“Are you stalking me?” I snapped, my annoyance bubbling to the surface. Wale stirred on my shoulder, her soft breaths grounding me.

“I just needed to know,” he said, his voice softening. There was something in his eyes, concern, maybe even regret.

Hazel stepped forward then, her arms still crossed. “Yes, sir,” she said curtly. “She stayed here last night. This is my house.”

Grayson’s tense expression relaxed slightly. “You should have told me,” he said, his voice calmer now. “You have no idea how much I care about you. I’ve been so worried.”

I rolled my eyes, unimpressed. “Can I go inside now?” I asked quickly. “I don’t know why you’re acting like this on behalf of your brother. He should be the one acting this way, not you. Good night, Mr. Grayson.”

As I moved to close the door, my eyes unintentionally dropped to his crotch. For a moment, I froze. The bulge there was unmistakable.

Is that… his dick? Swallowing up?

I gently closed the door behind me, hearing Grayson’s voice softly say, “Goodnight, dear,” just before it clicked shut. I stepped away, my heart heavy, and moved toward one of the rooms near the sitting room. Pausing, I lowered my voice and said,

“I came here for that man’s number.” I couldn’t shake the feeling that Grayson might still be lingering outside the door.

“What number?” Hazel replied loudly, ignoring my hushed tone. My stomach twisted as I heard the faint hum of Grayson’s car pulling away. Only then did I feel safe enough to voice my frustration.

“Hazel, what’s happening to you? Give me his number. Have you forgotten who you are to me? You’re my friend, you know almost all my secrets. You were the one who introduced me to the idea of going out with a gigolo and now…”

“That’s exactly my point!” she snapped, cutting me off. “It was my biggest mistake. I never should have done that. You’re obsessed now. If I had known you had a sick, secret husband, I’d never have suggested it. I want it to stop, and giving you his contact will only encourage you. I’ve deleted it and canceled the account I used to connect with him.” She spoke with a sense of finality that stung.

“You’ve disappointed me, Hazel. You shouldn’t act like this.”

“No, you’re the one who’s disappointed me,” she interrupted firmly. “How can you fall in love with a stranger? If I don’t look out for you, who will?”

“I’m not a child, Hazel. I know what I want.”

“You don’t,” she said, her tone resolute. “Excuse me, I have somewhere to be,” she added coldly, stepping toward the door.

“Hazel!” I called after her, shocked. Was this really just about the man’s number? Or was something deeper at play? But the final blow came when she turned back and said,

“If this is what will ruin our friendship, so be it. I’m tired of your controlling ways.”

Controlling? Did she even understand what she was saying? How was I controlling? I moved closer to her, my voice stammered,

“How am I… controlling?”

She scoffed. “Who put you in charge of me? This isn’t the office, where I have to answer to you. You swooped in and took the assistant CEO position at a company I worked for years to climb up in…”

Her words revealed her true intentions, jealousy. That’s what this was about. It wasn’t just about the number. It was jealousy. I realized I might never see the gigolo again unless I kept returning to that hotel.

“Hazel, are you jealous of me? I helped you get your job back after you were fired.”

“Fired because of your attitude! If not for you, I would have stayed in that position,” she snapped.

“And yet, I elevated you. I made you the head of those who once oppressed you.”

Her phone rang and interrupted us. Without hesitation, she picked up, her voice instantly turning soft and sweet.

“Hi, darling,” she cooed.

“Are you still coming?” a male voice asked from the other end.

“Of course! I’m on my way. I already miss you,” she replied, her tone dripping with affection.

The voice on the phone was faint but oddly familiar. A persistent feeling began to stir in my mind, but I quickly dismissed it, attributing it to our heated argument.

“You didn’t even tell me you were seeing someone,” I said and the tone of my voice revealed how disappointed I was.

“Do I have to? I’m not under your control outside the office,” she shot back, raising her voice.

“But I’ve always told you everything about myself.”

“That’s your choice. It’s none of my business. I helped you after your failed marriage when you couldn’t keep a man. Being beautiful isn’t enough; you need to be smart. Now, please leave my house,” she said, pointing to the door.

“Hazel?” I gasped, my anger boiling over. “I paid for this house!”

“That’s irrelevant. It’s in the past, and I won’t let your presence ruin my night. Please leave,” she said firmly, her words like a hot, sharp dagger to my chest.

I stared at her, feeling the sharp pain of betrayal. This was someone I had trusted, someone I had confided in. Yet she dismissed everything I had done for her without a second thought.

Without another word, I walked out, and she locked the door behind me. Standing there with Wale in my hands, I watched and I saw how provocative her dressing was. Her outfit left little to the imagination, her cleavage was on full display, and her exposed legs were clearly meant to entice.

She was going on a date, and she hadn’t even told me. If the roles were reversed, I would have shared every detail with her. Did this mean I had truly lost that gigolo forever? The thought was unbearable.

Tears came out of my eyes as I stood there, overwhelmed by the weight of everything, the strange behavior of my once best friend and losing the man just after loving him. I needed to do something, anything I guess. But what can I do? Tomorrow, I will be going with my boss to go and seal a deal. Will I be able to compose myself? Who will take care of my baby now that Hazel has suddenly turned her back against me?