Chapter 129: Chapter 129

Maya walked back home ignoring the strange look she got from both those in their car and pedestrians who held umbrellas but she didn't care as she enjoyed the water that wetted her hair and trickled down to her body making her gown stick to her skin.

She coughed, aware of the cold she has invited into her body but still, she craved the liberating feeling the water gliding down her body offered.

She walked as slowly as possible, allowing the water to soak her completely. She had left her phone in Jared's car and had assured him she would be fine.

She knew he would have realized that was a big lie because her phone must be going off now with phone calls and texts by a worried Jasmine and Jessica.

Her feet hurt reminding her of the distance she had walked, but she couldn't stop as she hoped that somehow she just disappeared, get away, maybe being isolated would help her sort her crazy confusing feelings, would relieve the pain that spread through her body like her heart was ripped from her body and stomped on repeatedly.

A cab driver screamed at her and her eyes widened in fright, as she realized she was on the road. She looked around her and she could tell that she was the scene drawing all the spectators who were looking at her concerned. They must be thinking she was a crazy woman who had escaped a mental asylum. But wasn't that what love was? Crazy and love fit so much in sentences, love stories, movies, and today the fucked up realization that she and Xavier were done in every sense. No possible excuse to get back with him, he was free from her, she was just another gossip that might linger in the lips of New Yorkers longer because he had given her a frickin ring though they all would still think of her as a glorified notch in his bedpost.

The urge to crumble on the floor and weep as she remembered that very day in her room when he had told her he wanted her, he was willing to go exclusive for her yet she had chosen this path, to leave, because she had thought that leaving would save her heart from this total devastation it was currently experiencing but she had been delusional thinking she could dance with a fire called Xavier and not get burnt. Somehow, she had fallen in love with him without being aware, maybe it was when he had overstretched her working hours or when she had run after him in her heels just to match his strides but even with this realization she knew if she could still go back to that night, she would have still used the door because she desired love way too much to settle for anything less.

She removed her boots as quietly as possible so none of the girls would see her in the stare she was in, her fingers fidgeted and she was aware her body trembled too but she didn't pay attention to any of this but the trail of water that led to the house.

She noticed wet boots like hers but in a messier condition making her curious. Who else was crazy enough to walk under the rain today?

She opened the door and shook at the concern and worry in Jessica's eyes, the fright in Jasmine as she took in her condition, the widening of Ashley's eyes, and behind them stood another person who thought wetting his body was able to prove any other point than you are human and you would get ill.

Tyler. His eyes were hard. There were dried tear streaks on his face. He had been crying and although he was present she could swear he didn't even know she was inside the room.

She gave Jasmine who was dragging her to go change her clothes, a confused look.

She shrugged, "Apparently you are not the only crazy person in New York, your boss is too. He stormed in here an hour ago like that. He wants to speak to you. Rejected an offer to sip coffee and had only come inside with 'lots' of effort from all of us." Her emphasis on lots made Maya's eyes widen. Seems like today was special and a good time of the year to go crazy.

She entered Jessica's room which she shared with the three girls, peeling off her sticky wet clothes from her body (Jasmine had abandoned her room too, saying she felt left out.)

She felt a dizzying ache in her head but determined to know what had gotten Tyler looking like he had just seen a ghost, she ignored the pain and wore a sweatshirt and matching joggers then dragged herself out of the room with great effort since it was almost like the bed was calling out to her.

"Kimberly," his lips trembled and his body was a quivering mess.

She rolled her eyes wondering who had even inspired the walking under the rain idea for him especially since he seemed to have 0 tolerance for cold. At this rate, he was going to have a bad fever if he stayed in his wet clothes for longer hours.

"You want us to talk, we would but first you need a change of clothes and a cup of hot chocolate, or coffee or tea. Your choice really but something hot definitely."

He nodded obliging her without any objection and she released a sigh of relief and dropped her very large t-shirt on his laps and a matching way too big joggers she had bought exclusively for comfort. She pointed to the restroom and then sat down watching him leave, while her mind skimmed on all the reasons why Tyler would be this upset but nothing came to her mind.

Jessica emerged from the kitchen with two cups of latte and she found herself grateful for the friends turned sisters that fate had made cross paths with her. How understanding they could be, no questions asked, yet full of so much understanding and the silent support they offered her at this moment, the way their eyes shone with pride aware she was suppressing her pain to help Tyler deal with his was everything.

Tyler reemerged from the room looking better than when he went in although the T-shirt was tight at his chest it was nothing too uncomfortable but the joggers were a perfect fit.

He sat down next to her and she stretched her hand to him offering him a latte. He bit down an excuse noting the stubbornness in her eyes. She won't hear him out if he didn't follow all of her dictates that he could tell.

So he gulped the foamy substance in one gulp, his eyes almost rolling to the back of his head at how hot it was but soon the hotness was spreading across his tightened chest and he couldn't complain about the warmness that spread through his body.

"Wow," she whispered shocked at how quickly he had gulped something that hot.

She'd be saying wow soon again, he could tell but she won't even know how to smile at that moment.