Chapter one-hundred and fifty one

"So, how did it go with Mr Bratkowski?" Maya asked. They had dinner at her place.

"Let's just say, you are going to have to put up with me a lot because Jace agreed to be a partner." Axel explained, after releasing Maya from an embrace.

Axel had his meeting with Jace and Mr Wyatt on a Saturday. After that, he went to Maya's place, where she prepared dinner for them. But Axel already had dinner with his now new business partners.

"That is great. I knew it would work out because those were some good plans you guys have there." Maya said. "We should celebrate then."

She added and went to get them a drink.

"To a new beginning and bright futures ahead." Maya said, raising her glass after she had poured the drinks for them.

"That is very accurate." Axel said with a chuckle. "To new beginnings." He added to their toast.

Moments later, the bottle of wine was empty. The two drank and talked about their childhood lives.

"You must have been really close with her." Maya said. When she had a lot of Eliana coming up in his own story.

"We were." Axel said. "I fucked it all up for my selfish reasons. I am glad she has found happiness now. I am not planning to repeat the same mistake again." Axel added, looking at Maya straight in the eyes.

Maya gave a nod in understanding. They were Looking each other straight in the eyes. They did not realize they were moving closer to each other's face. Their lips brushed when suddenly Maya's phone began to ring on the table, startling both of them.

Maya looked at the phone, seeing it was her mother calling, she turned to Axel and said, "sorry, I have to take this. It's my mother."

"Of - of course." Axel said, clearing his throat.

"Yes, mother?" Maya said, while getting up from the floor they were seated. "No. I can't make it this weekend. I have a __" She turned to Axel, and then turned away again. "I have plans for this weekend already. Maybe the next one?"

"Alright. Tell dad I said I am sorry. But I promise to make it up to him as well." Maya continued on the phone.

They talked for another minute or two before she ended the call.

"Sorry about that." Maya apologized as she walked back to Axel. "Every weekend I go to my parents, since - " Maya stalled for a moment. "Since after my breakup." She adde and sat in her previous spot.

"It's fine. My mother does the same too if she does not see me for a whole week, since she moved to the city." Axel reasoned. Deep down, all he wanted was for them to get back to what they started. He so badly wanted to taste her lips.

They might have gone on a few dates and had dinners together, but they were still at a friendly hug level. Not even a peck on the cheek.

"I have a proposition." Axel said, looking at Maya.

"Ok. Go on." Maya encouraged.

Axel adjusted his sitting position. He took Maya's hand before he began. "We have been together for a month now and so far, they are the best days I have had in a long time. I like you a lot, Maya. I really like you."

"After you left me at that wedding, I was devastated for a long time. It got to me so bad that I thought I was losing it. But then I was lucky to find you again and this time around, I plan on holding tight and not letting you go so easily."

Axel let out a breath before he continued. "Miss Maya Thomas, will you be my girlfriend?"

Maya listened intently as Axel spoke. She didn't know what he had in mind so she only kept looking at him as he spoke. Then he threw the question.

Axel waited for a response from Maya patiently.

"You gave more of a speech than a preposition." Maya suggested. "And yes. I will be your girlfriend, Axel." Maya said.

The excitement was evident on Axel's face. He outright went for her lips without saying another word.

Maya wasn't expecting that to be his next action, but she also gave into the kiss. Their mouth sucking was gentle at first. As they tasted each other's flavor, the kiss became more demanding and hungry.

They moaned and groaned into the kiss. Their hands got busy as well as they explored each other's body.

Maya was the first to pull away when she felt she could lose control any moment and go further than they intended to.

"I am sorry. Sorry. I - I can't do this right now." Maya said, while trying to catch her breath.

Axel was perplexed at her reaction but he kept his thoughts to himself and said, "Of course. It's alright. I didn't mean to overstep my bounds -"

"No. You did nothing wrong." Maya waved.

Axel could still see she is not back to her normal self. "Are you alright?" He asked, putting a hand on her shoulder.

Maya immediately Jerked away from his touch. As if he burnt her. Axel also quickly pulled his hand away.

"I- I am sorry. I can't." Maya sucked in a breath. "I can't do this right now. Please leave. Leave now." She requested, pointing towards the door.

Axel noticed her hand was trembling as she pointed to the door. 'There is definitely something wrong here.' Axel thought inwardly.

An idea crept up to his head. Since he realized she is in a panic, maybe he should try to calm her.

"Maya, Maya.." Axel called her in a calm voice. "I need you to listen to me. I need you to not speak, but take deep breaths. In and out." Axel gestured with his hand when he noticed he had her attention. He also did the exercise as he encouraged her to do the same.

"In and out." Axel will inhale, hold for a few seconds and then exhale. Maya did the same.

Her eyes looked with his as they continued with the breathing exercises. He noticed she was calming down.

"Good. Now close your eyes while still doing the breathing exercises and count to ten, starting from ten. Can you do that for me?" Axel asked, still avoiding touching her so that he don't startle her.

Maya nodded in response.

"Ok. Good." Axel said.

Maya did as she was told and when she reached one, she heaved a breath and then opened her eyes.

She is now back to her usual self.

That gave Axel relief that his little therapy exercise helped calm her.