“What do you mean?” he asked, hoping against hope that he had misconstrued her words. She took a breath as if preparing herself to say more. Her eyes held fear and doubt.
“I can’t marry you. I love someone else,” she disclosed with hesitation. Dante was thrown off by her confession at first but as he made sense of her confession, he couldn't help but feel hurt.
Maya explained further with tears streaming down her cheeks, “My dad forced me into the agreement. I never wanted this from the beginning. I am sorry if I’ve hurt you but I..I can’t do this. I love someone else and he would kill himself if I married you,” she implored with him, hopeless. She believed they were not a good match anyway. They were completely opposite like the two poles. His cold demeanor could never go with her bubbly, chirpy nature. He was a workaholic and she wanted to explore the world. Whereas he clearly lacked emotions, she was an emotional fool. She didn't want to marry a statue.
A solemn expression took over Dante’s features.
“Does your parents know?” he questioned. She nodded.
“But they don’t approve of him because he is not rich like us,” she explained, hastily wiping away .
“Perhaps, he is right,” Dante stated. She shook her head.
“They are wrong. He is a nice man and loves me,” she insisted like a child. Her affection for another man was only making him hurt more.
“Would he be able to take care of you?” he asked. Hope flared in her eyes as she nodded.
“Yes. He has just landed a job. He will take care of me and I’ll be happy with him,” asserting that, she joined her hands in front of him and implored, “please..please… I beg you, reject me..tell my dad you can’t marry me..he won’t listen to me, please.”
Dante felt as if someone had ripped his heart right out of his chest. It was torture to watch the woman he had come to love confess her love for someone else.
“I’ll talk to your dad,” he replied a moment later. He wouldn’t marry her against her will. He wanted her whole- not just her body. He carved her heart and affection too. But too bad, her affection wasn't meant for him.
A grateful smile blossomed on her lips. The same lips he had yearned to savor for so long. The same smile he had craved to see on her lips for him.
“Thank you..I’ll forever be grateful to you,” she looked relieved, as if a boulder had been lifted off her chest. He was a boulder for her.
“Leave now,” Dante stated coldly, not interested in her thank-you speech. The discussion was done. He will call her dad and cancel their wedding. Her smile wilted.
“I am sorry if I hurt your feelings. That wasn’t my intention. I know I should have told you earlier but I was scared of the consequences,” she explained, hoping he would understand her reason. Her dad could be very strict when the time requires.
“What made you confess now? Ain’t you scared anymore?” he questioned. His voice was icy just like his countenance. She shook her head.
“Not anymore. This marriage would ruin three lives. It’s better to make efforts now than regret later,” she answered.
“Hope you don’t regret this decision,” Dante stated.
“I won’t,” she replied with a confident smile. Her faith in her lover pricked at his heart. Jealousy seared underneath his skin.
Of course, she had a boyfriend. Now all her nervousness and reluctance made sense. She kept her distance because she never intended to come close. She never was willing to give him a chance.
He didn't ask her boyfriend's name even though a part of him burned with curiosity. He wanted to know what he possessed that he didn't. He wielded unmatchable power all over the world, his name is celebrated everywhere, and yet he lost to a college-going punk when it came to winning over the woman he had loved with all his heart.
As he watched her walk away, a hollow ache filled his chest. The bouquet in his hand- an innocent confession of his love- slipped through his fingers and landed on the floor with a soft thud. The flowers had lost their lush as if the news had hurt them too. As she disappeared behind the door, he turned around and stomped over the flowers on his way. The soft flowers crushed like his heart. Their petals tore apart.
He called off the wedding on the same night, taking all the responsibility. Mr.Diaz begged him to change his mind but Dante had already given her words to Maya. When Mr. Diaz failed to persuade him, he assailed Dante with a slew of curses. Dante listened to all of them without flinching. He was met with lots of criticism from within and outside his family but he endured them all. Only one person knew about his pain. Carlos. He had heard everything that night.
After some days, Mr. Diaz showed up at his door and asked for his forgiveness. He disclosed to him that Maya had eloped with her lover, leaving an apology letter behind. In the letter, she also explained Dante’s sacrifice and how he helped her by putting his own reputation at stake.
If only she knew she was running away from her destiny.
...........
Hey, do reward the book for quicker updates.
Four Years LaterMaya was washing the clothes. Her hands had begun to ache but she didn’t have the privilege to stop. She sighed at the sight of a heap of clothes waiting for her attention and resumed her work. The pangs of hunger assaulted her stomach. She hadn’t eaten anything since last night. Marrying Pablo had turned out to be her worst nightmare. Now that she had become mature and the rose-tinted glasses were finally off, she could see what a horrible beast Pablo was. He started showing his color soon after their wedding. He was immensely disappointed to know that Maya had brought nothing from her home. He was just using her for her money. His disappointment slowly grew into hatred and now he didn’t even hesitate from beating her. He didn’t even let her continue her studies claiming it to be an unnecessary expense. The only reason he was keeping her was his greed for her father’s property. As Maya was her parents’ only child, he was planning to claim her right on the property on
“Dante Martinez,” she whispered in disbelief, her eyes as wide as saucers.He had become even more handsome than before. Manlier. The raw energy emanating from him was palpable, reaching her even from a distance with remarkable strength. With his striking appearance, he could easily give even the Gods a run for their money. His straight nose and sharp jawline gave his face a regal air. His bearing bespoke of confidence and class. She gaped at him as he buttoned up his suit, every movement exuding elegance. With an effortless grace, he proceeded towards the building, his imposing figure surrounded by his bodyguards who kept the crowd from invading his space. The reporters threw questions his way but he didn’t bother to even glance at them, let alone answer. She couldn’t tear her eyes away from him until he disappeared inside the building.Would he recognize her? Would he help her?The thought suddenly struck her. She was desperate to get out of the dark pit she was curren
She picked a sundress with bright prints and proceeded towards the bathroom. Stripping from her dirty clothes, she stepped into the shower stall. A relieved sigh escaped her mouth as the first droplet of water hit her skin. Soon, she was wet down to her toes. Her knotted muscles worked loose. This all had felt like a distant dream at one point. Her heart ached deeply as she recalled how much she had craved serene moments like this. As the burden of grief grew heavier within her, her legs gave away. Slumping to the floor, she broke down into tears. She had lost her hope of ever finding peace again. That beast used every opportunity to unleash his brutality on her. She had stopped looking into the matter long back. Her reflection in the mirror was a ghost of who she once was- eyes dull, spirits broken, body marred with scars. She had come to hate the way she looked. Even though, most of the scars had fainted the fresh ones were still very visible. That's the reason she chose a dress th
She was called downstairs for dinner sometimes later. A maid showed up to escort her towards the dining hall. As they walked through the hall, the memories of her last visit flooded back. The last time she was here, she had come to ask him to cancel their wedding.She stepped into the dining hall and her heartbeat faltered at the sight of him seated behind the large table. Just then he glanced up from his phone and their eyes met. Maya felt an electric sensation coursing through her. His piercing gaze brought a wave of heat across her cheeks and she lowered her eyes. She chose a spot two seats away from him and sat down.Silence hung in the air as the maids served them dinner. While he was busy reading something on his phone, she couldn’t help but steal occasional glances at him from under her dark, long lashes. The maids retreated into the kitchen after serving the food, leaving her alone with him. Maya struggled to suppress her nerves as she found herself alone with him. She waited
She tossed and turned in her bed, worrying her lower lip. Tomorrow, she would have to leave. But where would she go? No one would take her in. Paul had made sure she lost touch with all her friends so that she wouldn’t have anywhere to go. That was partly the reason why she endured his torture.The dreaded morning eventually came and yet she wasn’t prepared to face the harshness of the world. With a heavy heart and even heavier legs, she got down from her bed and proceeded towards the bathroom. She decided to take a bath before leaving. Who knows when she will get to bath again?Taking off her clothes, she descended into the bathtub. She sighed at the feel of cold water enveloping her feet. Back in her dad’s home, she used to bathe multiple times in a day as she loved bathing. Her lips curved into a serene smile as she sat down in the tub. Stretching out her legs, she leaned against the edge of the tub and closed her eyes.After bathing to her satisfaction, she stepped out of the tub
“It’s nothing. I’ve applied the balm. Give it ten minutes and you’ll be fine,” the maid briefed as she gently wrapped the gauge around her ankle. Maya was still clad in her bathrobe.“Thank you,” Maya responded, relieved.“Also..” the maid began as she clipped the gauge. She met her gaze and continued, “….Sir told me to tell you that you are allowed to stay here as long as you want.”Hearing that, a bright smile lit up Maya’s face. He wasn’t kicking her out. She still had a roof over her head. “Thank you,” she expressed her gratitude, her eyes quickly misting over. The old maid smiled.“Don’t thank me. Thank sir,” she told her in a soft tone. Realization dawned on Maya. “Should I bring your breakfast in the room or do you wish to come downstairs and personally express your gratitude to him,” the maid asked. Maya took the hint.“I’ll be downstairs,” she decided.After thirty minutes, the pain in her heel had dulled to a mild tingle. She had already changed into an ankle-length dress,
Night arrived and Maya went downstairs for dinner. She had lots of questions swirling in her head. The first and foremost was about Dante’s woman. Where was his wife? She hadn’t seen any woman in the mansion yet who could be called his wife. Maybe she lived somewhere else or perhaps she was out of town. Her thoughts came to a halt at the sight of him. She offered him a gentle smile as their gaze met accidentally. He gave her a nod. Taking her usual spot, she sat down and upturned her plate. She threw an anticipatory glance at him. He was donning a white t-shirt and grey lowers. His damp hair cascaded over his forehead, stopping just short of his grey eyes, lending him a bad-boy vibe. She felt a stirring in her stomach.“Your baby is very cute,” she complimented out of the blue. There was a genuine affection in her voice.His eyes reflected a momentary wonder before he nodded his head in agreement, “He is.” “He has taken after you mostly. His mother must be disappointed,” she adde
She joined him for dinner in the evening to know his plan for Vincent. In just a couple of days, she had become really fond of Vincent. He was eating his food in silence.“Good evening,” she chirped as she pulled out a chair. Dante glanced at her briefly, murmured a greeting, and returned his attention to his plate. Some habits never change. He used to avoid eye contact with her four years ago too. That was one of the reasons she believed that they were not a perfect match.She lowered herself in the chair and began to load her plate.They were in middle of dinner when Vincent’s piercing cries blared through the baby monitor. Dante immediately shot to his feet and hurried towards his room. Maya followed him.He cradled Vincent in his arms and swayed him tenderly but the baby didn’t stop crying. She was hesitant to offer help as she didn’t want to be seen as an intruder. But when he failed to soothe the bay, she stepped in.“May I?” she asked. He looked hesitant but gave him to her any