Maya's POV
"Your discharge note has been signed, get ready, and let's get out of here." Mom said with a smile. She came closer to me and passed her hands through my hair.
"Just a minute, mom," I said as I hugged her, rubbing my hands on her back. I broke loose and started to dress, changing from the gown to a simple outfit.
Just like I said, in a minute, I was prepared to leave.
I hugged my mom tightly and hurriedly made it out of the car then headed to the hall. I couldn't just wait to see Damien and plan how we were going to pay the person who ruined our marriage.
My mom followed behind slowly.
"Mother-in-law? Fil?" I called as I didn't see anyone in the living room. I turned and saw Eva.
Eva is Damien's maid, she is in her mid-forties. She has worked with the family for over twenty years. Her reason for still serving them is that they have been good to her. Well, she never really said what they did for her. I must admit she is a very hard-working and beautiful woman, and I like her.
"How are you?" She asked cupping my cheeks
"Maya?"
My Mother-in-law called, cutting off our conversation. She hurriedly walked over.
"Eva? I will see you in the kitchen later. Okay? And then you will tell me everything." I said smiling as she walked away.
"You are here already," Mother-in-law asked, placing one hand on my cheek. "Yes, I am, my mother-in-law.
"Anyway, is he awake?" I asked and suddenly her expression changed, she took her hands off my cheek.
"I promise I won't wake him, I am just going to check on him.." I didn't wait for her approval, as I dashed to his room like the spoiled child I have always been.
"I entered his room and didn't find him in bed. He must be in the washroom." I said to myself as I entered the washroom. I didn't find him there either.
I called several times but no response. Feeling sad, I left the room.
Immediately, I left the room, I bumped into everyone in front of his door.
"Maya, we are sorry. We didn't know how to tell you this." Mother inlaw spoke as tears sprouted from her eyes.
"Mother-in-law? Could you please stop apologizing? Tell me what's going on." I said as I crooked my head from side to side, glimpsing at everyone's sad face.
"I deserve to know, I'm still waiting." I just stood there confused, refusing to accept the thought in my head.
"Yes, you are right, darling. I will tell you, right now." She replied with a shaking voice.
"Damien… Damien…. could…couldn't…couldn't… ma…make it. He couldn't… survive, everything we said about the home treatment.. is a lie."
She said with her voice breaking. After she ended, she broke down on the floor. Mom continued to speak, standing next to her.
with me.
"Yes, honey he's dead.
"I started laughing for no reason. Mother-in-law? Wow, I am very impressed. How did you gather everyone here just to play a prank on me? Thank you very much for making me laugh. Now it's okay, tell me where Damien is, I seriously want to see him." I proclaimed, nodding dramatically at everyone.
"Maya?" My mother called.
"She isn't playing any prank on you. Everything she said is…is… true. Damien.. couldn't make it." My mom said with tears forming in her eyes.
"Father-in-law? Tell me it's a lie or a joke or something because my mind is shattering. Please say something."
I went closer, urging him to speak the truth.
"Am afraid but yes, Damien is dead." He replied placing both hands in his pocket as he walked away.
For some moments, I was still. Too frightened to accept everything they had said. It can't be true, he can't be dead.
"I want to be alone," I said as I entered his room, I leaned against the door and then dropped to my knees.
I cried uncontrollably then got up, walked to his closet, and ran my hands through his lines of clothes. His scent was all over, I could feel him as the breeze in the room changed. I just wanted to ask him one question. Why had he left me alone in the dangerous family?
"How can I possibly leave without him? I was too addicted to him, the only man I have been compatible with." I thought.
****
Four days had passed since the burial of Damien and few friends had visited with their condolences. After we had breakfast, we were all seated in the living room when a knock came at the door.
"I will get it," I said, walking to get it. The door opened to find two men in their middle ages. One man had no beard on his face while the other's face was covered with hair and his hair held in a ponytail.
"Hello Miss", the hairy man said accompanied by a gracious smile.
"May we?"
"Oh, yes… yes_'' I said, cutting him off and standing aside for them to enter. As they got to the living room, they shook hands with everything and settled down in a seat. I also sat down with my brows raised "who were these people and what did they want?" I questioned my instincts.
The hairy man cleared his throat, clasped his hands together, and spoke calmly yet firmly.
"Well I am James from Johnson's and Sons real estate development and my colleague here is Maxwell. He's the company's lawyer." He ended, as I nodded still lost.
"Yes, and we are here to see Damien." The supposed lawyer said.
"Well, my son is at rest, he's dead," Mother-in-law replied.
"We are sorry for your loss however, we can't postpone this discussion." The lawyer said, glimpsing at everyone's faces one after the other.
"We are all ears." Father-in-law retorted, breaking the silence and long stare.
"To make it short, Damien sold this house and Miss Maya's to my company in which the money was paid in full to him. From today, you have only three days to vacate both houses. The new owners will come for inspection on the third day. This is why we are here. The lawyer ended, leaning back into the sofa.
"What!" I said aloud, covered my mouth with both hands as everyone else was struck with equal shock.
"We will leave now," James said, leaving their agreement docs on the table and they headed for the door.
"No, wait, Maya did you know about this? My mother asked, casting a glance at me.
I nodded before the words came out of my mouth, "yes he…it's…it was a surprise we planned to tell you after the marriage."
I paused pacing ups and downs and rubbing my temples in distress.
"What in heaven's name are you talking about? My mother-in-law inquired, looking serious.
"He bought two apartments in Italy. We were supposed to move in after our marriage. That's what he said and…and I don't know anything about the documents." I said finding a place to sit as I couldn't stand a minute more on my feet.
"Good God! He even sold his warehouse, mom, we are homeless." I said, calling fresh tears.
"What do we do, because I don't understand this script Maya just read." Mother in-Mother-law commented.
"There are only two options left here and one of them is leaving on the street."
"And the other_?" My father questioned, cutting him off.
"There's no easier way to say this but I would anyway." Father inlaw said with an expressionless face. He pauses then leans back, scratching his unshaven beard.
"Call for King's intervention."
"That might be some kind of joke_" Father cut in sharply.
"How do we contact him?" I asked, dragging them out of their argument.
"Leave everything to me," Father-in-law declared and then excused himself.
That same evening, as we sat in the living room, my father-in-law received a package.
"Excuse me, sir, you've got a package," Eva said, referring to her father-in-law.
Everyone immediately turned their gaze to meet hers.
"Thank you," Father-in-law said and opened it.
"King replied." He said and then opened it to read.
It reads...."Dear Cruz and Martinez? For almost ten years, I have never been this happy. Oh no, it wouldn't be pleasant of me if I don't share my condolences. What did I say? I said, "even if it takes a hundred years, I'll destroy your family and take control over everything."You have it, who prevailed? You or me? Your family is under my control now. You will do exactly what I say. And I repeat everything, I say! But I have an awesome deal! I will grant you freedom and give everything back to you. I suppose I am being democratic.
Let me just state what I want in exchange for everything I have promised. 'Maya Martínez' the princess of both families. And yes, I know about your homes, I will also return that to you. Think about it very well. Maya or be under my control forever." Signed by KING.
"Did he kill Damien?" I asked, trembling as my wounds opened, and tears started to roll down my eyes.
"We are not sure yet, Maya." Mother-in-law cut in.
"What now?" My mother questioned as everyone kept quiet and the whole place went dead.
"I agree," I said plainly, breaking the loud silence in the living room.
"Agree to what? Are you insane?" My Father berated me in a serious tone.
"I will agree to what he said. I can't watch him rip our families apart." I said, rubbing the nap on my neck.
"No, you do not know what you are talking about. You are not going anywhere and that is that. "Mother responded sharply.
"No! My daughter, you can't do this. You can't live with that precarious man. Do you have any idea who he is? Do you know how dangerous he is?" My mom also warned, beaten by worry.
My patience ran out, I couldn't just stand them anymore. I rose from the sofa to face them, my eyes instantaneously changed their course to the person standing at the door.