Chapter 11: Chapter 11

Do you still love her?

Tom's POV

When Maya asked this quesion, it really got me thinking. All these years, I have worked hard and achieved great wealth. I wanted to be rich for revenge. To let Tilda know that I could make it, too but countless times I have asked myself this question. If Tilda had not left me, will I have been able to make it this big. I could not answer that question which is why I could not bring myself to hate her or revenge as I had planned.

When Mark told me he was getting married to her, I was happy for them, even though I knew they didn't love each other. I did not feel jealous. I only felt grateful that her rejection has pushed me to be a better person.

I wanted to tell Maya that the only person I loved now was her but I couldn't bring myself to do so. We just met yesterday but I felt a great bond to her as if I had known her all my life. She's sooo naive which gives her such innocent look and Tracy has already told me about her past when I called her as I could not reach Maya. I was very worried and I didn't know her house too. I have understood that her past has also brought her very close to two strangers who are her guardians.  Now, she sees any man who gives her attention as those two men.

When I look into her eyes, I don't see love but I don't know what it is she sees about me. I don't know if I am ready for another heartbreak but if it comes from Maya I will understand because we are not dating so rejecting my proposal shouldn't be called a heartbreak but what will I call it?

I looked deeply into her eyes and she looked away. I think she felt uncomfortable..

"No, I don't love her anymore. But I don't hate her too. I feel grateful to her." I ended.

The real words I wanted to tell her was..."No, I don't love her anymore. But I don't hate her too. I feel grateful to her because, she left me and I found the rarest gem of all history. I found something new, something pure, something so affectionate and genuine and that is you.

I wanted her to know the peace that enveloped my heart when I saw her the first time and the rocking pace at which my heartbeats everytime I am around her but I had to swallow my words, knowing she wasn't ready for them yet.

What I don't understand is why Mark keeps treating her that way. I have always known him to be proud and arrogant but he usually doesn't take it on anyone on a personal level. Even in this company, with the kind of things I expect him to frown on, he usually doesn't especially when we had the first presentation with this company.

I expected him to scold Kira when she was flirting with him during the presentation but he gently turned her off instead, but keeps despising Maya who has been decent and hard-working girl all along. She has done nothing from the onset but has always tried to be the best she can. I am not saying this because of my love for her but just analyzing her personality says everything. Anytime I ask him anything about how he treats her, he will brush it off but knowing my friend, it's very unlikely.

As I kept thinking about it, there he was again...

"What is so special about the garden, making everyone leave the hall...was Mark's voice bringing me back from my deep thoughts.

"I have to go now," Maya whispered in my ear as she turned to leave but I pulled her back and kept her close to me.

You don't have to be afraid of anything or anyone when you are with me, I said lovingly to her, making her relax.

"Do you mind if I speak with you for a moment Tom, I mean alone, he said looking angrily at Maya. I sensed he was up to something so I decided not to give him a chance. "

You and I are best friends. We talk everyday and we are at the dinner party where as you said, we have to mingle with others so if what you have to say is Personal, let's talk during golf tommorow....I replied with an accused look.

"Since you don't want to make time, I will say it here. You and I have been friends for a long time and you know how hard it was to get to the top. So if I were you, I will stick with people who will help me stay at the top and not low life bitches who would bring you down the ladder of greatness, he ended looking disgustfully at Maya."

How dare he say such words about my Maya. I angrily moved close and almost slapped him on the face when someone caught my hands.

"No Tom, he doesn't deserve it. Please don't make a scene. It will only embarass me more than his hurtful words." I restrained myself from what I had intended to do upon seeing her pleading eyes. But decided to tell Mark what he needed to hear.

Thank you Mark, for reminding me of how I got to the top. Yes, purely hard work with no one's help so no one can as well bring me down. If I am even lucky to marry someone like her, I said looking at Maya. I know my business will flourish better than it is now. But as for you, I feel sorry for you, that you lack manners and think everything is about wealth and power. Tell me, how happy are you after all this achievement....I yelled at him.

"Mark, I got your drink but you were nowhere to be found. Come one now, we have to a few things to finalize before my flight tommorow." Was Tilda who had appeared from nowhere, dragging him away.

Before he left, he looked at Maya. There were so many emotions. Pain, bitterness, jealousy, anger but the scariest of all was love. Could it be Love he was feeling for her all along? I can't believe it. Mark has been hiding all the love he feels for her under a mask. No wonder he gets angry when I get close to her.

I don't blame him. Just like Tilda, they care Soo much about wealth and power so he can't accept falling in love with a normal girl. Poor Mark, he accepted to marry Tilda to strengthen their enterprise. If they get married, all their companies will be joined together. I have never seen anything bigger than that. They will have a business empire. But will that bring the happiness or it will only be another eternal torture?

Life has thought me so much. My dreams are different. I want to find love and enjoy it in the most respectable way. But if I find love, I will always choose it over wealth and if I have both, then I am the luckiest. I don't know if Maya will ever be able to return my love for her but if she never does, I don't want to lose her friendship. She is very intelligent and easy to talk to. Her maturity is not easy to understand. Such a fragile girl yet so strong. This makes her very special to me.

Mark's POV

I don't understand my feelings these few days. Since I met her, my life has turned upside down. I can't get my head straight. Why did I have to meet her again? When I splashed water on her the first time, I felt sorry and wanted to apologize. When I got my head out of the window, she was Soo beautiful. Even with the mud on her dress and all. I knew she will be my weakness so I despised her, thinking it will make the feeling go away but it didn't .

It only grew stronger. Then when I kept thinking of how I will see her again, I saw her in that office. I wanted to hug her or even kiss her to tell her how much I loved her but again, I despised her to kill the passion in me. I am such a coward. How can I make her suffer for my weakness.

Wealth and honor are very important to my parents so I know they will not accept her. I have accepted to marry Tilda because we make a beautiful couple. We both want the same things and we are ready to get married to each other without any love between us. It seemed ok to me from the beginning but after meeting Maya, my heart keeps going in a different direction.

Please forgive me, Maya, I didn't mean to be a jerk. Seeing you with Tom breaks my heart. I know he can love you and treat you in the best way but I can't stand you being with someone else. Maybe I should tell her but I will just make her suffer more because my family will be against her. What should I do?

I think I should call off the wedding....

"Mark, what are you thinking about? We have called you three times already" was Tilda's disturbed voice.