Chapter 16: Chapter 16

Tom, can I speak to you alone please....I asked looking him in the eye

"No, Maya, I want everyone here to be a witness to what we have to say to each other. If you love me, I want to know how deep it is. Are you willing to spend the rest of your life with me?" He asked with a pleading stare.

I looked at Tracy speechlessly begging her with my eyes to say something but for the first time, I was left to my fate. She had warned me earlier right? But I never took her warning serious. Right then Mark came back. His eyes were covered with so much pain and anger.

"Please Maya, I have loved you from the very moment I set eyes on you. Since that day, you have taken over my mind completely. I am always at peace whenever you are around me. Please I want to live with this peace forever. Please grant me this wish, he kept pleading."

I don't know what to say Tom, I don't think I am ready yet...was all I could say.

But the look in his eyes said it all. He was clearly disappointed as he looked at me straight in the eye making me unconfortable. "I will not give up Maya", he said and without uttering another word, he finally walked away.

How could a very happy day turn this way? Thank God Tracy came to my aid.

"It's okay," she whispered.

"You told him the truth and that's all that matters," she added with concern. I looked at all the faces around as they clearly showed dissappointment except for Mark who had a little smile on his face. I think I have had enough for today. Lets go home, Tracy.

Sure, but let me check on Tom. He seems to be in so much pain Maya. When she disappeared round the corner where Tom went, Mark signalled me to follow him. All eyes were on me but I didn't care anymore. I needed some fresh air. Thank God today is my last day here and I won't come to the office with people gossipping around me. I don't think I will be able to take it. They can gossip behind me for all I care.

I followed Mark from where he signalled me as he went out of the conference room to the elevator, holding the elevator door for me to enter.

Where are we going? I asked when I entered the elevator.

"Where do you want to go?" He asked.

Home ofcourse...I said

"So you forgot about our time out?"

How could he bring that up after all that has happened tonight. This guy is so insensitive but I don't know why I feel comfortable around him. As we stepped out of the elevator, he held my hand leading me to his car as he told the driver to go home. His action sent shivers down my spine.

Where are we going at this time of the night, I asked myself.

I have lived in this town for years but I have never been to this park. The night was cool bringing out the fragrance in my favourite flowers planted along the sides of the park. 'The Queen of the night' flowers smelt so good enveloping the whole park with it's fragrance. The carpet grass was well mowed with lovers benches around. There were few couples there as well so I felt comfortable.

I sat on one of the benches as Mark sat beside me. It felt so good after all that has happened tonight. This moment is just right for releasing all the tension. As I sat there thinking, Mark sat beside me with two glasses and a bottle of wine.

I don't drink alcohol.

"I know, this is non-alcoholic".

My respect for him grew so much. He didn't buy an alcholic drink. But how did he know I never took alcohol?

He gave me a glass of wine and I took a sip. It tasted great and at the moment, everything seemed so perfect.

So, why did you turn down his proposal? Mark asked suddenly bringing my mind back with all the memories.

I don't know Mark, but I don't feel the bond. I know I have hurt him so much and I don't think I can face him anytime soon. Thank God Tracy decided to check on him. Atleast he will have someone to talk to.

"If you ask me, you did the right thing." Mark said indifferently.

Really, I asked, happy that he wasn't judgemental of me especially with the fact that Tom was his best friend.

"Well, you can't teach the heart to love who it doesn't love"... He said with a serious look.

That's true but what if that person has been so good to you and is always there at every point in time. It's difficult to lose such friendships you know.

"Yes, but it's even more difficult pretending to love someone when you heart belongs to another". This time, his eyes were tearful. Is he just encouraging me or he is sending a message?

After that, we sat in silence with both of us engrossed in our own thoughts. The I remembered the question that has been long standing on my mind.

So why were you mean to me? I managed to ask.

He took a deep breath and started...

"You might not believe it but this is the truth Maya, from the moment I saw you, I knew you were going to be my weakness"

Weakness? I asked confused.

"Did you think I looked out the window of the car to despise you? I wanted to apologize for splashing the water and if possible, find a way to help you out. But when I saw you, my heart was singing a different song. I have never felt for anyone what I was feeling and I didn't want to end up losing Tilda so I pretended to be rude which is why I despised you. I wanted to let my know that you were not my type but I was wrong.

I felt sad and angry with myself. I hated the fact that I could not get you out of my mind. I was afraid I might try to follow my heart and end up losing everything. I didn't want to lose my parents trust as well. So when I met you in that office the next day, the feeling grew deeper. Cursing myself for not being able to control whatever I was feeling, I let it all out on you. But trust me Maya, for all the times I treated you bad, I never slept peacefully. I will wake up in the middle of the night sweating and thinking about you and looking for a way to apologize. Then I saw Tom trying to get close to you.

I got even more angry. Maybe jealous. Jealous of the fact that he didn't care about money and power and will easily let go everything for you if he has to. I felt like a coward and I always tried to convince myself that you are not the one for me. But that night after the office dinner, I couldn't go home without letting you know that I was sorry and I didn't mean any of those words. I was such a coward and could not tell you everything I had to say when I came there. I took comfort in the fact that you wanted to sleep and used it as an excuse to leave.

Please Maya, I am not in anyway asking you to love me the way I love you. I know that my life is already complicated right now. There are a lot of things I will need to adjust before I can publicly declare my love for you".....

Love, did he say Love? I wish I could ask him to repeat his last words. So he loved me too. I was so happy hearing those words. I think I got my evening back but just as he said, it's complicated. He is already engaged. It can't work. It won't work.

But it can't work, I said looking at him in the eye, you are engaged already.

"At that office dinner, I wanted to break up with her. But when I realized she had also made the same sacrifices as me, I had to reconcider. We don't love each other. She is still in love with Tom and here I am also in love with you but we decided to go ahead for the sake of our families and the business empire we want to build. But right now if you ask me Maya, I will not marry Tilda. I don't care what I lose. I can't go on like this. I will tell her everything when she returns from her trip. But Maya, I have to ask you something. Please give me you honest answer no matter what it is, I will respect it, I promise."

What?....I asked clearing my throat after quietly listening to him all this while.

"Do you love me"... I could feel my heart beat pause after hearing this question. Should I tell him the truth? He said he needs an honest answer. Before I spoke, He continued.

"I know it's too early but I also know that you can't get it wrong when you love someone. It starts from the first instance. Like the moment you see them and it isn't difficult to...

Yes, I love you, I said without waiting for him to conclude. I can't believe his whole being changed upon hearing these words. His eyes were glowing like a ray of sun shine and his mood was just unexplainable. Before I knew it, I felt his lips on mine. It wasn't a deep kiss but it was something I have never felt in my entire life. It had answers to every question on my mind. I knew this love is real and it's so pure.

We broke from the kiss but he still kept his head on my forehead as he spoke. I promise you Maya, I promise not to let you down but please let's keep this a secret until my breakup with Tilda. I don't want anyone to brand you as a girl who came between two couples and say things they don't know. I don't want them to know that you are the reason why I broke up with her even though it's the truth.

"I love you soooo much, Maya. He ended as he placed another kiss on my lips. This is my first kiss and it was so magical. I can't believe I got what my heart wanted. But I was also happy we were going to keep this secret for a while because it will hurt Tom so much if he finds out I rejected his proposal and dating his best friend who he has protected me from all this while. I don't know why the heart doesn't do what its told. I am very sorry Tom.

"It's late, let me take you home. Tracy might be getting worried by now," was Mark's voice bringing me from my thoughts.

Oh my God, I had totally forgotten about Tracy. She said she was coming and I left with Mark.

"Don't worry, I will see you in the office on Monday" he said.

I won't be there on monday.

I am talking about GMAN. Isn't there where you got your new job? I have 60% shares there as well.

My jaws dropped open when I heard those words but I shouldn't be surprised any more right? After all, he was going to build a business empire so why should I be surprised he has shares in GMAN as well.

When Mark dropped me home, he was right. Tracy was looking for me everywhere. She had my handbag which contained my phone so she could not call me. She said she asked from other workers who told her I was with Mark so she thought I will be at home so when she got back without seeing me, she had finally decided to call Mark when I opened the door...