Chapter 8: Where Is Maya?

Chapter 8: Chapter 8: Where Is Maya?

Simon stood still . His hands were still wet. His heart was beating fast.

He tried to hold himself. He took a deep breath and told himself to be calm.

"Be a man, Simon," he whispered. "Hold yourself."

He looked across the gallery. The music was still playing.

His eyes were focused on her.

The man in the tailored expensive suit was smiling and was trying to impress her.

Flora looked polite, but not happy.Maybe

she misses Maya

Simon watched them over and over again. He felt jealousy and heartbreak rising in his chest again. But this time, he decided to hold himself. He folded his arms. He told himself he had no right to be jealous.

"She is not yours, Simon," he thought. "You are just her driver. Hold yourself."

He stayed where he was, watching.

After some minutes, he noticed something.

A woman entered the gallery quickly. She was moving fast, like she has been walking for long. She wore a simple dress, but the dress has quality and it fits perfectly on her body matching her movements . Her eyes were searching.

She walked straight to where Flora and the man were standing.

Simon frowned. "Who is that?"

The woman stopped in front of the man. The man turned and his face changed. He looked shocked.

Before anyone could speak, the woman raised her hand and slapped the man hard on his face.

Slap!!!

The sound echoed.

"What—" the man held his cheek.

"You left me stranded outside to be with her?" the woman shouted. Her voice was loud and full of pain. "You left me outside! You told me to wait in the car! And you are inside with another woman "

People started to murmur.

Flora stepped back, confused.

"Madam, calm down—" Flora started.

The man tried to hold the woman’s hand. "Please, let’s not do this here."

The woman pushed him away. "Don’t touch me! You left me stranded outside to be with her!"

Simon noticed the woman’s eyes. They were not just angry, they were broken. She was looking at Flora now, with jealousy and pain.

"You," she said, pointing at Flora. "Is this why he left me outside? Because of you?"

Flora raised her hands. "Madam, I don’t know, he is your husband.I met him once at a gala night, and now here again."

The woman did not listen. She started moving toward Flora, her hands shaking, ready to attack her.

Simon saw it.

Without thinking, Simon rushed forward and stood between Flora and the woman. He blocked her from getting close.

"Madam, please don’t," Simon said calmly but firmly. "Step back ."

She looked at Simon’s face, then at the gift on the shelf, the same gift he had stepped out of the car with " A Pure diamond bracelet"

She broke down and started crying.

"He is my husband!" she cried, tears falling fast. "He is my husband! But I cannot remember the last time he gave me a gift! I cannot remember!"

Her shoulders shook. The pain in her voice made everyone quiet.

"He buys gifts for other women," she sobbed. "He gives them bags, jewelry, but at home, he gives me nothing. Not even a kind word. He told me to wait outside in the cold while he came inside to chase a beautiful woman."

Flora’s face changed. Her anger left. Now she felt pity.

Just then, Amelia, her friend , noticed what was happening. She walked quickly to them with two security men.

"What is happening here?" Amelia asked.

The man tried to speak. "It is a family misunderstanding—"

Amelia looked at the crying woman and understood.

"Please, take this woman outside gently," Amelia said to the security.

The security nodded and tried to lead the woman away.

Before the woman left, Flora did something.

Flora looked at the red and gold gift bag still on the shelf. She brought it down.

"Here," Flora said, handing the gift to the woman. "Take it. It was never mine."

The woman looked at Flora, shocked. She collected the bag with shaking hands.

The man had already left. He walked out quickly, his face red with shame, without looking back.

Amelia turned to Flora. Her face was full of apology.

"Flora, I am so sorry," Amelia said. "I am so sorry you had to experience this in my gallery. This should never have happened. Please forgive me."

Flora nodded slowly. "It is not your fault, Amelia. It is fine."

But her voice was tired.

Flora stood there for a moment, watching the woman leave with the gift bag. She sighed deeply.

She turned to Simon. "Simon."

"Yes, madam?"

"Please call Maya. Let us go home. I am tired. Today has been too much."

Simon nodded. "Yes, madam."

He brought out his phone and dialed Maya’s number, and he also looked around the gallery. The crowd was now smaller. Many high profile guests had left .

He could not see Maya anywhere.

He walked to the art corner where Maya and Sophie were standing before. No one was there.

He went to the champagne table. Not there.

He went back to the restroom where he had left her. He opened the door and looked inside.

"Maya?" he called softly.

No answer. The restroom was empty.

His heart started to beat faster again.

He walked quickly back to Flora. Flora was standing with Amelia, holding her small purse.

"Madam, she is nowhere to be found," Simon said. "I checked everywhere. I went back to the restroom but she was not there."

Flora frowned. "Nowhere?"

"Yes, madam."

Flora brought out her own phone and dialed Maya’s number. She placed the phone on her ear.

The phone rang once. Twice. Three times.

No answer.

She tried again.

It rang and rang, but Maya did not pick.

Flora’s face became worried. She lowered the phone.

"She is not picking," Flora said softly.

Simon was silent.

Flora looked at Simon, her eyes suddenly filled with guilt and sadness.

"Is she still bitter and angry with me?" Flora asked.

Simon did not know what to say.

Flora continued, her voice shaking. "Since we left the house,she has not been herself. Where could she have gone to?

Flora’s eyes became wet.

"Could she hiding or she has left already. And she is not picking my call. Is she still bitter and angry with me? What have I done wrong?"

Simon looked at Flora. For the first time today, he forgot his own jealousy and heartbreak. He saw only a mother who was hurting.

"Madam, I don’t think she is angry with you," Simon said gently. "Maybe she just needed some air. Maybe she stepped outside."

Flora shook her head. "Maya never goes out without my consent."

She tried Maya’s number again. Still no answer.

Amelia came close. "Flora, do you want us to check the security cameras? We can see if she left the building."

Flora nodded quickly. "Please, Amelia. Please check."

Simon looked toward the big gallery doors. The sun outside has reduced. The wind was blowing.

Where could Maya have gone?.