22

Tomas.
I continued my story about my tumultuous relationship with Maya, though I felt a growing sense of boredom and urgency to wrap things up. It was becoming increasingly clear to me that I needed to close that chapter of my life to make way for a new one with Jennifer. As I delved into my flashback, the memories flooded back.
“Are you fucking insane, Maya?! Leave that knife! It’s dangerous-you could seriously harm yourself!” I yelled, frustration bubbling inside me.
She screamed back, her voice raw with desperation. “Then leave me alone! I want to get out of this house! I need to find a job! I can depend on myself! Maybe I could use my body, but only for a strip show! Not for a sexual relationship!” Her words came out in a frantic rush, as if she were spiraling into a hysterical madness.
I took a deep breath, trying to approach her calmly. “Okay, okay, just calm down!” I said, taking a step closer to her.
“Now stop! Don’t move!” she yelled, her eyes wild with panic.
I raised my hands in a placating gesture, trying to show her I meant no harm. “Okay, just calm down, Maya.”
Slowly, I stepped closer and managed to take the knife from her trembling hands, wrapping my arms around her to hold her tightly, hoping to comfort her. I tossed the knife aside, letting it clatter to the floor, and gently ran my hands through her hair, rubbing her back softly.
“Down, I will never hurt you, I swear!” I reassured her, feeling her breath begin to steady.
After a few moments, she finally calmed down, relaxing against me. “Okay, now come with me and sit. Let’s talk. Don’t worry, Maya,” I informed her, trying to be as gentle as possible. I was kind-hearted, despite what she might think.
I led her to the couch, where we sat down next to each other. “Now, Maya, could you tell me your story, if you don’t mind? I mean, we met in a strip club, and you look different. You don’t sell your body! So this is all very confusing.”
She walked over to the window, taking a deep breath as if gathering her thoughts. “Yes, I know. You are right! But this is the truth!” she replied, her voice heavy with emotion.
I studied her, trying to understand how such a sweet, beautiful woman like her could end up in such a place. My mind was racing with questions.
She fiddled nervously with her fingers, “You know, Mr. Tomas, when I was a teenager, all I did wrong was fall in love with a bad guy! This guy tricked me and sold me to many men! So, I ran away from home! I didn’t want my family to know what had happened, especially after they captured many pictures of me and threatened to use them… So I asked them if they wanted money from me! And that was the worst part. This guy was the owner of the strip club. He did the same with all the other girls-made them fall in love with him and then threatened them, forcing them to work for him. And the worst part? I was his golden girl; all the men in that club loved me and paid a fortune just to watch my shows! So that’s it!” Her voice trembled as she recounted her harrowing story.
“Oh, I see, Maya! So that man who was threatening you and asked me to pay him to release you was the one you fell in love with?” I asked, trying to piece everything together.
She nodded, her eyes filled with pain. “Exactly, Mr. Tomas! He’s the one who betrayed my trust and threatened me! He is the owner of this hellhole!”
“Now, I’ve heard your story, Maya, so please let me help you. You want to start a new life, right? You want to travel anywhere, but he could catch you again! Please, do me this favor,” she begged, her voice cracking.
I stood up and walked closer to her, feeling a sense of duty. “Actually, Maya, after hearing your story, as a gentleman, I can’t let you go!” I told her firmly.
Her eyes widened in shock. “What?! Why? But I told you everything!” she protested.
“Exactly! Now I have to help you, Maya. You need someone to depend on, to feel safe with. And here I am. Depend on me,” I said, hoping to convey my sincerity.
“Mr. Tomas, I can’t be with you! Please,” she pleaded again, her voice softening.
“What do you need, Maya?! A new start?!” I asked her, desperate to understand.
“Yes, Mr. Tomas,” she shrugged, her shoulders slumping.
“Then I will grant you that wish. Work for me-be my assistant. All you have to do is stay with me, take care of my schedule, and you will be with me wherever I go. I will protect you,” I offered, hoping she would accept.
She stepped closer, uncertainty in her eyes. “Mr. Tomas, thank you, but I can take care of myself. I will find another job,” she said, attempting to reach the door.
I put my leg on the bed, blocking her path, and took the keys from my pants, holding them up for her to see. “You can’t open the door without the keys!” I laughed lightly, trying to ease the tension.
“Please, Mr. Tomas, open the door! I need to search for a job! I don’t want to be a burden on you,” she raised her eyebrow, trying to reason with me.
“Well, Maya, I own most of the town, so you have no choice. You either work for me or go back to that trash!” I threatened, though I didn’t want to force her. I genuinely wanted to help her.
“Oh, so you’re doing the same as he did now!” she narrowed her eyes, crossing her arms defiantly.
“I want to protect you! I want you!” I said, stepping closer and kissing her cheek softly.
“All you have to do is just be next to me, Maya. That’s all,” I whispered, wrapping my arms around her waist and kissing her neck.
She pushed me away, but I held her tightly, pressing my lips against hers with more urgency. She tried to push me away, but after a few moments, she kissed me back.
I stepped back, looking deeply into her eyes, brushing my fingers against her cheek. “I will do everything to protect you, Maya,” I assured her.
“Then please, I want to live in my own apartment. I want to rent one. I will work for you, but don’t force me to give you my body. Just give me more freedom! I am not a slave!” she insisted, her voice firm.
I walked away into the room, then turned to face her. “Okay, Maya. I will get you an apartment. But a driver and a guard will be with you, watching over you and keeping their eyes on you. So don’t try to run away or…”
She interrupted me, “Please don’t threaten me!”
“Okay, I’m sorry,” I replied, trying to be understanding.
“Okay, could you please stay here tonight? At least let me show you the company tomorrow morning?” I asked, hopeful.
She paused, thinking for a moment. “Okay, I agree. But I want to stay in another room,” she declared.
“Um, okay, as you like! I will never force you to share a bed, Maya! I don’t like that approach! Trust me,” I assured her.
I unlocked the door and walked with her to the next room, showing her where she would stay that night. She followed me, her expression still a mix of fear and uncertainty.
**Flashback…**
After that night, I showed Maya her room in my house. She looked scared, so I covered her with a blanket, ensuring she felt safe.
She curled up, bending her legs to her chest like a frightened child. I closed the door behind me, lost in thought about her situation.
In the early morning, I realized I hadn’t slept well. My mind was racing, filled with worry that she might try to escape. I didn’t know why I cared about her so much.
But I could see that her life had been awful; she was a victim, and I still had a heart capable of feeling empathy.
I knocked on her door, and she answered.
“Maya? Are you okay? Can I come in, please?” I asked gently.
“Yes, sure, Mr. Tomas,” she replied, opening the door for me.
“Oh, you look amazing today, Maya!” I exclaimed, taking in her beauty.
She smiled, and my heart fluttered at the sight. Her smile was like sunlight breaking through clouds, illuminating everything in its path.
“Yes, Mr. Tomas? I feel much better. Actually, I didn’t sleep comfortably like this in years! I feel safe here. Thank you for taking care of me; you are so kind,” she said gratefully.
I couldn’t help but stare at her captivating eyes. “Um, it’s okay, Maya…” I replied, somewhat awkwardly.
She stepped closer, concern etched on her face. “Oh, Mr. Tomas, you look so tired. I guess you didn’t sleep well!” she observed, her eyes filled with compassion.
I smiled, trying to brush off my fatigue. “Oh, it’s okay, Maya. Just get ready to come with me, please,” I instructed.
“What? Where, Mr. Tomas?” she blinked, curiosity lighting up her features.
I took her hand. “Come with me; I want to show you the closet. Please feel at home and choose a nice dress for yourself,” I informed her, hoping to make her feel more comfortable.
She smiled and nodded. “Okay, I will be ready, sir, in a minute. Could you please wait for me downstairs?” Maya asked sweetly.
I leaned in and kissed her cheek gently. “Yes, sure, Maya,” I said, walking towards the door to leave.
“Mr. Tomas?” she called out, making me turn back.
“Yes, Maya?” I replied, my heart racing.
“Thank you for everything,” she giggled lightly, her smile brightening the room.
I shook my head, feeling warmth spread through me. “It’s okay, Maya. Please don’t take too long; I will wait for you downstairs,” I reminded her as I left the room.
“By the way, Mr. Tomas!” she stopped me again.
“Yes, Maya?” I asked, intrigued.
“You look so elegant,” she complimented, her admiration evident.
I left her room, closing the door behind me, and walked down the stairs, contemplating my next move. I had no plan, just a sense of urgency to protect her.
She had entered my life by coincidence, or at least that’s what I thought at the time.
A few minutes later, an angel appeared just as I was discussing matters with the servants and the driver, explaining what had happened the previous day to Carl.
All I could do was open my mouth in awe, staring at her.
“Mr. Tomas? I am ready!” she announced, a bright smile on her face.
I snapped out of my daze, realizing I looked like a fool. “Oh, yes, let’s go, Miss Maya,” I replied, trying to regain my composure.
“Follow us, Carl, please!” I instructed my driver.
She grabbed my hand, and together we walked through the door of my house, getting into the car on our way to my office building.
Once we arrived at my company, Mark was waiting for us outside.
“Hey, Tomas! Oh, the girl with you?!” Mark asked, his gaze lingering on Maya, giving her a curious look.
“Oh yes, she will work for me now, Mark. I will hire her as my assistant. And I will give you the money to pay for the man,” I informed Mark, hoping he would understand.
He raised his eyebrows at me. “What man, Tomas?” Mark asked, confusion etched on his face.
“The owner of the strip club, Mark! Don’t be stupid!” I groaned, frustration creeping into my voice.
He trembled, trying to process what I was saying. “But Tomas?” Mark began, but I cut him off.
“Mark, no more words! Just do what I said!” I said sternly, my patience thinning.
“Now, Maya, let me show you your office. You will work with me, and after this day, I will take you to the apartment where you will live,” I informed her, hoping to ease any anxiety she had.
“Apartment, Mr. Tomas?” Maya asked, her eyes wide with surprise.
“Yes, Maya! You asked me not to force you to do anything you don’t want to do! So yes! I will give you a private apartment, with a driver and a car, and a guard to protect you,” I explained, wanting to reassure her.
She stuttered, her voice shaky. “But sir, I don’t need all of this! I can use public transportation!” Maya protested.
“No, Maya, you can’t! Now that you’re working for me, I can’t let you use public transportation!” I insisted, wanting to keep her safe.
Despite her protests, I took her to show her the office and everything else. After finishing my meetings that day, I drove her to her new apartment.
“Here we are, Maya! This is your new home. I hope you like it,” I said, trying to sound enthusiastic.
She smiled brightly. “Yes, it’s amazing! Thank you! But I have to pay the rent from my own salary,” she said, her determination shining through.
I narrowed my eyes, confusion clouding my judgment. “What are you talking about?” I asked, my nerves fraying.
“Please, I want to pay on my own! Give me more freedom, please, Mr. Tomas. I need to have my own choices!” she begged, her sincerity touching my heart.
Reluctantly, I accepted this. She was brilliant in business, helping me, not seeking to have fun or depend on me. Day after day, we grew closer.
After months of working together, spending nearly every day side by side, she became more beautiful with each passing moment. Her innocence captivated me, and I found myself falling for her.
Until that fateful day, ten months later, when I was drunk at a pub. A seductive girl tried to make a move on me, but Maya shouted at her to get away from me. In that moment, I realized I loved her, and I could see she felt the same.
When I asked her why she had intervened, she refused to answer, instead asking to spend the night with me at my house. We ended up sharing an unforgettable night, and everything felt perfect. I confessed my feelings for her.
However, she asked me to give her space, explaining that she wasn’t ready and needed more time. I respected her wishes, and we continued our relationship as it was.
After two more months, I planned to propose to her, but then I overheard her on the phone with her secret lover, discussing a scheme to take all my money. It was a trap, a betrayal that shattered my trust.
I fired her and watched as she disappeared from my life, leaving me with a lingering sense of loss.
But I didn’t stop there. I hired an investigator to uncover the truth about her secret lover. To my shock, it turned out to be my best friend, Mark. The whole situation at the strip club was a carefully orchestrated act, with everyone-from the owner to the workers-paid off by Mark to deceive me.
Maya had been living with Mark before entering my life, a reality that cut deep. I confronted Mark, fired him, and closed that chapter of my life forever.
Yet, I found myself looking back at a letter I had received from an unknown girl-a letter that had once provided me with great support. I read it again, and in that moment, I realized that I hadn’t truly been in love with Maya. I had fallen for her facade, not the person she truly was.
Back to the present… and to Jennifer.
“So that’s it, Jennifer! That’s the whole story of my time with Maya and the deceitful Mark!” I concluded, feeling a weight lift off my shoulders.
“Please, get ready, Jennifer! We’ve spent hours discussing this, and we have no time to waste. We have a meeting tonight with her, remember?” I reminded her, urgency creeping back in.
“Um, yes, Tomas! I understand! I appreciate you trusting me enough to share this story. Thank you, Tomas. I’ll be ready in just a few minutes,” Jennifer replied, her voice steady and reassuring.