Chapter 7: Don’t Go, Please Stay

Chapter 7: Chapter 7: Don’t Go, Please Stay

The place is already filled with high profile men and women. Around them are luxury — bright lights, soft music, champagne glasses, and paintings worth millions.

But his eyes were on Maya.

He saw Maya standing beside Sophie,the red Lamborghini girl . What could they be discussing? Are they talking about me? Is she trying to flirt again? Simon thought

Why is she avoiding her mother? Simon wondered. Is she still angry at her? What happened between them is not deep. He felt a heavy sensation in his chest, like he knew that kind of pain.

And what exactly is Maya doing with Sophie?

Simon felt his heart ache. He was lost in thought.

Then Sophie showed Maya a beautiful painting,then turned ,there gaze met . She smiled. That same flirty smile.

Simon knew immediately. She would come and flirt around him again in front of Flora.

He quickly bent to Flora and whispered, "Ma’am, excuse me, I need to use the restroom."

Flora nodded gently, "Go, Simon."

Simon turned and walked fast toward the restroom. The gallery was crowded with people talking and laughing. He walked through them, wanting to disappear from Sophie’s eyes.

Simon hurried into the restroom and closed the door. His chest was rising and falling fast. He stood before the mirror, trying to calm himself.

"Why is she acting so strange? I thought women are supposed to be more reserved. This is strange," he thought.

He turned on the tap, cupped cold water in his hands, and splashed it on his face. Hoping the water would clear his mind.

He looked at himself in the mirror.

"Get yourself together, Simon," he whispered.

He had barely finished when the door suddenly opened.

Simon turned sharply.

"Maya?"

Before he could ask what she was doing there, Maya rushed to him and held him tight.

"Maya, what are you—"

She kissed him.

The kiss caught Simon completely off guard. For a few seconds he stood frozen. Maya held him like she was afraid he would disappear. She coiled her slim hands around his neck and kissed him again on the lips so deeply. Simon struggled and when she finally pulls back, her eyes were full of emotion.

"Simon," she whispered.

Simon immediately stepped away.

"What is wrong with you?"

Maya stared at him.

"I love you."

"You cannot do this."

"Why not?" she asked, moving toward him again. "Do you think I don’t know what I am doing?"

"You are not thinking clearly."

"I have never been clearer."

Simon raised his hand, stopping her from coming closer.

"Maya, you are making a terrible mistake."

Her eyes became wet.

"A mistake?"

"Yes."

"You don’t understand what I feel for you."

"I understand more than you think."

"No, you don’t." Her voice trembled. "I have watched you from the first day I set my eyes on you,l fell deeply in love with you because you are different from the men I know."

"Maya, please."

She stepped closer.

"I don’t care about your position here. I don’t care about the difference between us."

"You should."

"Why?"

"Because You could get me fired."

"If that is what you worry about, I will fix it."

"What does that mean?"

"I will get you another job."

"Maya—"

"A better job," she continued. "One that pays much more. You will never worry about money again."

"You think this is about money?"

"I can give you money."

"I don’t want your money."

"You don’t have to say that."

"I mean it."

Maya reached for his hand, but Simon gently pulled away.

"Please get a hold of yourself."

"You really don’t want me?"

"This isn’t about whether I want you or not."

"Then what is it about?"

"Age. Status. Or the fact that you are attracted to her, you want to die for her too?."

"I have to go now."

"No, you won’t,I need answers."

"I have."

"What happens tomorrow when you regret this?"

"I won’t."

"What happens when people find out?"

"I don’t care."

"What happens if she sends me to jail ?"

Maya became quiet.

"You see?" he said softly. "You didn’t think about that."

"I am tired of always thinking about everything ."

"I understand you have feelings, Maya. But feelings don’t give us permission to fall in love with each other ."

"What if I am already hurt?"

Simon had no immediate answer.

Maya moved closer again.

"I know you will assume how easy it was for me to fall for you because you are barely new here," she said, almost teary. "But that’s a lie. I have never been like this all my life, you are the first man I have truly loved aside from my father. I have tried to stop. I even registered for online therapy, but it became worse. I am stuck. The feelings won’t ....."

" disappear."

"It became stronger."

"Maya..."

"I think about you at the start of my day. Even when I am weak, thoughts of you keep coming. Sometimes I hear your voice even when you are not there."

"You need to give yourself time."

"I don’t want time."

"You need it."

"No."

"Maya, please."

She reached toward him again, but Simon stepped backward.

"You need to stop."

"Are you afraid of me?"

"No."

"Then why do you keep moving away?"

"Because I don’t want you to make a decision that could destroy your life or mine."

For a moment, neither of them spoke.

Finally, Simon opened the door.

"You should go back before your mom notices you are missing."

"And if I refuse?"

"Then I will walk you back myself."

"So you are really determined to stay away from me."

"Yes."

The answer hurt her, but she nodded slowly.

As Simon walked out, Maya remained in the restroom, staring at the closed door.

She had wanted his attention.

Now she had it.

But it was not the kind she wanted.

And deep inside, she knew she was not ready to give up.

Simon closed the bathroom door behind him. His heart was beating fast. His hands were still wet. He left Maya inside.

He needed air. He needed to find Flora.

His eyes searched the gallery.

Then he saw her.

Flora stood near the big window. She was alone, but not for long.

A tall man in a tailored expensive suit walked close to her. His suit was black and perfect. His shoes were shining. He looked at Flora like a lost sheep, like a man who had finally found what he was looking for.

Flora stood still. Her dress was elegant. Her beauty filled the room. Every man turned to look.

Simon felt his chest tighten.

The man held a small gift bag. It was red and gold. He smiled and offered it to her.

"For you, Pretty," the man said softly. "I saw this and I thought of you. You deserve beautiful things."

Flora looked at the bag, then at him. She smiled a small, polite smile.

"Thank you," she said. And took the bag.

The man stepped closer. "You look stunning. I have always admired you.

Simon stood far, he could not hear them. His heart broke.

He felt jealousy rise in his chest like hot fire. His hands formed into fists.

Why does he feel like this? he thought. Flora is not mine. I am only her driver. I have no right.

But his heart did not listen. The feeling was strong. Pain, jealousy, heartbreak all mixed together.

Flora is too beautiful, he thought. Too good for the rich. Am I qualified to be with a woman like that?

He wanted to walk away, but his legs could not move. He just stood there, broken, watching the man admire the woman he secretly loved.