MAYA'S POV.
I sat there longer than I would like to think, in tune with nothing except the anger that was still swirling in my stomach. I hated him, I hated how he made me feel. How he made me lose my mind with only just a touch. It took four dates with Duke before we got to second base but one night in Amari's arms and I was ready to become a whimpering fool at his behest. It is a wonder nobody saw the scene we created this morning, maybe someone did but it seems they may be paid quite well to turn a blind eye to the eccentricity of the rich or whatever.
I took up Mrs Marris' offer to show me my bedroom. She came up to me while I sulked on the ground where Amari had left me, asking if I would like a hot bath before breakfast. Embarrassed, I scrambled to my feet, trying to straighten my now very wrinkled dress. Offering her a polite smile, I nodded and followed closely behind her as she led me up the stairs towards the eastside of the mansion. The idea of a bath sounded superb as I was feeling a bit icky from the stress of the previous night.
The room she led me into was magnificent, seemingly fit for a queen. I did not expect to share a room with Amari, I was quite sure this was a guest room reserved for important guests. So, I felt quite special as I walked into it. It was painted in royal blue and cream with white trimmings along the window panes. A large king size bed laid in the middle with a wooden bed canopy which had royal blue drapes hanging over it. There was also a cream coloured couch which rested very close to the window with a small coffee table in front of it. The curtains were drawn, enchanted I walked towards the window. The gardens were directly below me, there were flower beds arranged in rows which went as far as my eyes could see. It also had a private balcony which had chairs and a table for relaxing. There were potted plants and vases filled with flowers arranged on the table and around the balcony, the flowers were fresh and their fragrance filled the room. The room had a walk-in closet which had a wall length mirror and was empty, it was big enough to fit my previous apartment into it. The room came equipped with an ensuite and walking into this bathroom was almost like walking into a second heaven. It had a jacuzzi, 'bloody Mary' , a jacuzzi in a guest bathroom. My mind screamed 'luxury' as I toured the room. It was to be my own for the coming six months and I could literally see myself soaking in the jacuzzi without any care for the world.
Mrs Marris or Lillian as she preferred I called her, as Mrs Marris sounded a little formal to her, not me, not that I am complaining. She offered to look through the house for some clothes which I could wear after my bath as I had nothing to change into after my bath. Yesterday went by in a rush, everything happened so unexpectedly so I didn't have time to pack up a bag, I had no idea that I needed to pack up a bag. Amari hadn't seemed to care about that, he had left the house not long after our morning interlude, passed by me without a word. He didn't even have breakfast, dressed in his suit with a phone pressed against his ear and a briefcase in hand, he was off.
I still had my job at D & Scones and I had no plans of quitting. I needed a backup plan after the deal with Amari was over, I couldn't trust Alexander as his favourite past time was fucking me over. I had an evening shift today, so I was going to stop by my apartment on my back from work and pick up some of the necessities I needed for my stay here.
Stripping down, I disposed of my gown by the foot of the bed along with the other accessories, my shoe laid haphazardly at the corner of the room where someone must have placed it the previous night. This was one of the most refreshing baths I have had in a while without having to worry about the hot water getting finished. With my fingers pruned, I couldn't stay under the shower any longer so I wiped off with a white towel which had been folded on the bathroom cabinet. The cabinet was quite far from the shower so water couldn't get to it. Once dry, I tied my wet hair with another towel and then covered up with a bathrobe before stepping out of the ensuite.
On the bed, laid a tray filled with plates of bacon, runny eggs and pancakes, there was also a cup of steamy hot chocolate almost as though it was delivered as soon as the shower was turned off. Beside it laid a pink gown with some underwear which still had their labels on them, I noticed that my gown and accessories no longer laid at the foot of the bed where I had initially left them. I made a mental note to ask about them when I saw Lillian and also tell her that I preferred washing my under clothings by myself.
Breakfast was amazing, I set the tray aside intending to drop it off in the kitchen on my way out. The gown was a little bit snug and the neckline lowered exposing more cleavage than I would have preferred. 'Beggars can't be choosers' I muttered under my breath as I strapped my shoes on. Using the little supplies I had in my purse, I applied my makeup before loosening the towel which was still around my hair. I could never get a style right when it came to my hair especially when it was damp so I opted to brush it down. Admiring myself in the closet wall length mirror, I felt ready to face the rest of the day with a smile, or not, but I had to.
Before leaving the room, I ordered an Uber as I did not know the directions from Amari's house to my neighborhood. I could have used a GPS but I still didn't have a ride to take me so the Uber seemed to be my only option. I exited the room with my purse and the tray in hand.
There was a side door at the dining area which led into the kitchen. As I drew closer, I heard an unfamiliar voice which seemed out of place in the kitchen. It sounded soft and delicate although impatient as it asked questions about a certain person. Curious, I ambled towards the kitchen making sure that my footsteps were light. I stopped by the doorway and leaned on the wall out of sight so that they could not see me.
"Where is she?" the voice asked.
"Have your breakfast, dear" Lillian replied
"Come on Amma, Damon won't tell me anything"
"Then you leave it! Now have some pancakes you seem a lot slimmer than the last time I saw you" Lillian answered
I could hear some shuffling and then a discontented sigh. This person seemed to be curious about me and also had a good relationship with the residents of this household. Maybe an old friend, from their conversations I could tell that she and Lillian were quite close. I retraced my steps and walked towards the kitchen again, this time making sure that they were aware of my arrival.
I thanked Lillian for the food as she took the tray from me before turning my attention to the other occupant in the room. She was beautiful, yes beautiful in that show stopping way that got men star strucked when she smiled in their direction. Her red hair hung in loose curls around her shoulders. Her eyelashes were long and curled upwards, I could swear that if her eyes were closed they would rest against her cheeks making her look so innocent and delicate, almost like an angel. She had a very slender waist and rounded hips which was accentuated by her small breast. It didn't help that she wore a form fitting emerald short dress which made her green eyes glitter.
She was not smiling. She stared at me, her eyes fawning over my full length, giving me a once over before deciding dismissively like I wasn't worth her time. I felt naked and judged.
"Amma, is that her?" she asked as she cut a piece of pancake from the plate Lillian had placed in front of her.
Lillian glanced at me, waving her hand in apology before she nodded at her. I stared at her, I hated when people ignored me when I was standing right in front of them and I seemed to be getting a lot of that treatment lately.
"I was scared for nothing, it seems like I have no competition" she added
"Competition?" I echoed confused. I couldn't remember ever signing up for an Olympics match so I did not understand what she meant. Turning her attention to me, she gave me a sweet smile that would have brightened her face if it wasn't for the frigid anger that swirled in her eyes.
"Looking at you, I am quite disappointed. I did not know Damon's taste has changed; he now also goes for the thick ones." She paused, her smile dissolving as she another once-over at me, " Such a downgrade"
I stared at her dumbfounded. She didn't have the right to insult me just because she looked like a supermodel. I have never been ashamed of my weight and have never been called fat, but standing next to her it would almost seem like I was.
"Don't get too comfortable, he will be tired of you before you know it". She taunted.
Her words inflamed me.
"How would you know?" I asked.
"I would know so well, darling" she replied with a mocking smile lingering at the corner of her mouth.
"Maybe he got tired of you"
"I watched them come and go, every one of them thinking they could tame him"
"Well I am not them" I replied, crossing my hands around my chest as I glared at her.
"Maybe you are, because he spent the night wrapped in my arms." She wiped her hands down on a napkin. "Hi, I am Avery Blakeley". She said with an outstretched hand
She was the lover, the one he had spent the night with. I stared at her outstretched hands before taking it. Mirroring her expression
"Maya Remington" making sure to enunciate 'Remington'.
Her eyes flashed with anger at my words, she looked like she wanted to bury me alive although the smile never left her lips. Lillian stared at us in alarm, I am sure she could feel the tension which hung heavily in the air. Taking Avery's arm, she pulled and led her towards the dining room along with the plate of pancakes she had been eating.
I stared at their departing form, cursing Amari internally.
I lied, she wasn't beautiful. She was just an ugly demon in an emerald dress.