''You... How dare you—''
Diana could hear the lady's outburst from behind but the words whirred past her ears as the man pulled her with him.
''Ahh...'' her sliders slipped as she tried to keep up with his pace but she almost bumped into his back, ''You... Are you insane? Just let me go. I need to talk to her!"
Maxim's footsteps came to a halt.
She was about to pull her hand back but he wrapped an arm around her waist before throwing her above his shoulder like a potato sack as he walked all the way 11 floors down, under the amused and scrutinizing gazes of all the apartment staff and people who were passing by.
Diana's jaws remained dropped all the time. She was too stunned to speak.
It was not until they were out of the building did she realize what just happened.
Maxim placed her down, opening the car door for her.
She did not move from her spot.
And he stood there quietly, even patiently as he waited for her to get in.
''Look,'' Diana licked her bottom lips as she inhaled a deep breath to calm herself down, ''Thanks for that. I really appreciate your help but I could have managed it by myself. You can leave. I will deal with my matters before I come back,'' she walked past him.
''Are you going to apologize?" Maxim asked, without looking back at her. He was facing the car and she was facing the building, ''Is that what you intend to do?''
''Yes,'' Diana said.
''And then move into this place for this job?"
''Yes.''
"You don't have any issues with what happened just now?"
"Even if I do, I will find a way around it. Moreover, I think he misunderstood me for someone else because he was drunk,'' she said.
''So that's what you are convincing yourself with? Alright, let's suppose he misunderstood you for someone else. What if it happened in the future again? What if this was not the last time?" Maxim slammed the car door shut with a force that made her shoulders flinch slightly before she regained her composure, ''Also, as you said, you can manage it but what about Angel? Can she manage if something were to happen? There are men who are willing to make do with anything or anyone they get. Will you raise her in such a neighborhood? Do you think the world is just filled with all the glitz and sparkle you grew up in?'' his voice held restrained rage as he turned to look at her back.
''This is not school or university where no one messes with you because of your parents' influence,'' Maxim's eyes narrowed slightly, a mocking smile tugged up at the edge of his lips, ''This is not your castle, Diana nor is this the fairytale that a princess like you is accustomed to. This is the real world and if you want to play house that desperately, you should better move back to your castle and do it there!" his voice rose by an octave with every word he spoke.
Maxim closed his eyes once he was done speaking.
One minute passed. Two.
Both of them stood in their positions without moving.
Another minute passed and when Diana did not respond to him, he opened his eyes and walked towards her.
He grabbed her shoulders and turned her around, ''Will you say something now—'' his words got stuck in his throat when he saw the tears streaming down her cheeks.
She was biting her lips, stopping herself from making any sound.
Maxim's lips parted.
As their eyes met, she covered her eyes with her arms and wiped her tears with the back of her hands but the more she tried to calm down, the more tears fell.
This was the first time he saw her crying. She had cried earlier but those were mostly tears of frustration or exhaustion, like a body's natural response to a situation.
Now? She looked vulnerable.
And God, did he hate the sight of it? He sure did.
In the end, she covered her face with both her palms, ready to turn her back towards him once again.
But Maxim grabbed her wrists, removing her palms from her face, ''Stop it,'' his voice softened as he tilted his head down to look at her face when she lowered her head, "It's heartbreaking.''
''What?" Diana asked, biting her bottom lips hard to stop her tears.
''The sight of you crying. Your tears,'' he whispered.
A sob escaped her mouth, ''I...am not playing house. I need... a job,'' Another sob escaped her lips as she cried harder till she was gasping for breath, "And I don't want to stay… at your place anymore."
Unable to look at her face any longer, Maxim let go of her wrists.
She raised her hand to wipe her face but before she could do that, he wrapped an arm around her shoulder as he pulled her into his arms, his other arm wrapped itself around her waist.
Somehow, she felt small to him. Thin. Delicate. Her whole body was easily enveloped in his one arm.
"I hate you,'' Diana sniffed, crying harder as she felt his warmth.
Maxim closed his eyes, placing his chin atop her head, ''Fine, I am hateful,'' he whispered.
Diana buried her face into his chest, crying harder, sobbing her heart out.
It was like all her grievances were having a tear party suddenly.
She wanted to stop crying but she could not. For the past few weeks, she has been walking on thin ice around him, around her life, and around her circumstances.
And this time, she could not hold it in at all. Unlike yesterday, she did not even have it in her to wait till she made it to the bathroom.
Maxim's arm tightened around her.
Diana closed her eyes.
And they stood in that position in front of the apartment complex, under countless gazes for God knows how long.
''Look at them. Such a cute couple.''
''They look so intimate. Aww~"
''They look like models, don't they?"
''They could be models. Who knows? Look at that car. It must have cost a fortune and that rare number plate. Just who are they?''
"Although I hate public display of affection, this really makes me feel single.''
People roaming around the park in front of the apartment murmured to each other, their gazes fixated on Maxim and Diana who were standing in front of the building, hugging each other in the middle of the road.
Once Diana calmed down, she realized that people were looking at them. They must be thinking she was a psycho or something.
She raised her hand to pat his back, ''Hey... I am fine. Let go,'' she whispered, her voice coming out somewhat hoarse.