Page 43 of Nothing Left
A waiter is passing by with a silver tray. I snatch two full glasses of red wine. Then I turn right back around.
I kick the bathroom door open with my heel. The two women are still standing by the mirror, whispering and laughing to themselves.
I raise both hands and launch the contents of both glasses directly into their faces.
“Oh my God! You psychotic bitch!” the blonde screams.
“My private life is none of your fucking concern,” I scream.“Do not ever dare act morally superior to me. Half the women here are sleeping with their drivers, and the other half are drinking themselves into an early grave to forget who they share a bed with. You don’t know a single thing about me or what belongs to me.”
I drop the empty wine glasses into the marble sink, shattering both of them. Without waiting for a response, I walk out of the venue. I hail a taxi and leave, refusing to stand there and be belittled and judged for one more second.
22
Maya
It’s like the intoxicating haze Graham kept me trapped in fades, and I can see my reality.
His mansion is extravagant, but it’s a prison nonetheless. No amount of luxury or million-dollar diamonds can ever erase that. I hand the driver cash, adding a hefty tip. Because of days like this, I remember how much a little extra money helps someone just trying to get by. Even though I am literally dripping in jewels right now, none of them are mine. They belong to Graham.
Graham, who ruined my reputation. Graham, who slammed every single door in my face so that he would be the only thing I had left. But he is also the only man who has ever cared for me. The only one who ever looked at me and treated me like I was irreplaceable.
My mind is a mess, but I am sure of one thing: I need to think, and I can only do that when I am far away from him.
The iron gates open the moment the car approaches. Graham has been blowing up my phone with a barrage of calls. I don’t answer because I know if I hear his voice, I will slide right back under his control. He is my curse. He is God’s ultimate test for me, and I failed it completely. But devils rarely come looking ugly; they come handsome, promising you the entire world. I never stood a chance against the trap.
Through the corner of my eye, I see one of the perimeter guards speaking urgently into his radio. He’s definitely letting Graham know I made it back to the house.
I need to leave. Right now. I have to get out of here before he storms through those doors and either kills me for running or covers my skin in worshipful kisses until I lose my mind and surrender again. I just need a moment to breathe.
A guard suddenly steps into my path, his hand catching my upper arm before he quickly yanks his fingers away as if my skin just burned him. His face looks frustrated; he must have been calling my name, and I was too stuck in my head to realize it.
“Madam,” he says, clearing his throat nervously.“One of your friends—I think her name is Stephany—dropped these off for you an hour ago.”
My brows furrow. Stephany? Stephany is William’s cousin. I wouldn’t exactly describe her as a friend, more like an acquaintance. I force my facial features to relax. William must have used her to smuggle something to me, knowing Graham isn’t fond of him.
“Ah, I see. Thank you,” I say as I hastily pull the parcel from his hands.
I know the guard has probably already informed Graham about the delivery, and I need to see exactly what is inside before he gets home… and potentially kills William for it.
The moment I reach the bedroom, I kick off my heels, tear off my dress, and scrub the makeup off my face. I pull on a pair of worn-out sweatpants and an oversized hoodie. Clothes that were already mine. If I am going to leave his world, I want to exit exactly like I came in.
Grabbing my small crossbody bag, I begin stuffing my stuff inside. Again, only the things that belonged to me before Graham entered my life. When I walk out of here, I refuse to take a single dime from him.
After I finish packing the pathetic little pile of my belongings, I sit on the edge of the mattress and tear open the parcel. Inside are three history books.
I open the first one, flipping through the pages until a small piece of paper falls into my lap. I open it, recognizing William’s handwriting instantly:
I don’t know if you’re in danger, Maya, but we have always had each other’s backs. I could never forget all the things you did for me. I happen to know a guy who knows a guy. Good luck!
Good luck with what? A cold sweat breaks out on the back of my neck. What the hell is this?
I grab the second book, shaking it until the contents slip out from between the middle pages.
A fake ID and government papers under a completely different name.
William just gave me the perfect way out. I close my eyes and pray that God protects him, that he doesn’t get in trouble because of me.
I then move quickly, shoving the fake ID and papers back into one of the books. I zip the book deep into the interior pocket of the hoodie stuffed inside my bag, burying it beneath a couple of old T-shirts.
