Eric was in a hotel, outside the country. He had left the US days ago because he had some pending business that he had to take care of.
He also desired to take his mind off the problem he was facing. He had feelings for Maya who had gotten more beautiful and confident, those qualities of hers made her more attractive to him.
Though he liked the innocent her, the present Maya was feisty, always fighting back which made him more excited but a bit rejected. She had been pushing him away since she met him, and though they had sex, it seemed like the mate bond was responsible.
She didn't accept his rejection, and that was why she still had an attraction to him. He understood her pain, she didn't deserve everything he did to her.
He had no choice.
Eric stared blankly at the documents in his hands, he wasn't reading any of them but instead thinking about Maya. She had been on his mind since he departed from the country.
He wished to call her but decided to give her a little space.
"Concentrate Eric, you've got to get this done," Eric told himself and decided to read the documents properly.
After reading them, he picked up a pen and started signing. As he signed the first paper and was about to sign the other, his phone rang.
Ignoring it, Eric continued with his work, knowing fully well that it was his father calling him but unfortunately, the phone kept ringing.
"Why can't that man let me be?" Eric frowned and dropped the pen. He stretched his hand a bit and grabbed his phone.
He answered the call with a frown on his face.
'Father, all I want is some peace. I'm out of the country, why do you still disturb me? You gave people at your beck and call to attend to your needs, you have Fred!' He said and rolled his eyes.
Alpha Damien wanted to speak but he interrupted him.
'You said that you wanted the company to make more money but here you are, distracting me after only a few days of my absence. Father, I'm tired of your childishness.'
'Mind the way you talk to me, boy! I only called because I have good news,' Alpha Damien replied.
'The only news that can be good to you is always bad.' Eric said, knowing his father's character.
'Whatever, haven't you tried checking social media? That rejected girl is trending on the internet and I promise, it's not for good reasons.' His father said, excitedly.
'Rejected girl.' Eric's eyebrows raised but lowered then he realized who he was referring to.
'Maya isn't a rejected girl, don't use that term for her, I'm the fool for rejecting her. I lost such a gem.'
'I think that gem is drowning in the mud.' Alpha Damien cackled, sinisterly.
Eric quickly hung up and checked the internet, he was so shocked by everything he saw about Maya.
"What the fuck is all this?" Eric gasped.
*
Eric booked the first flight back to California. He was feeling heartbroken for Maya after receiving that call from his father and seeing the massive hate she was receiving.
Her company had been doing well and she had maintained a good reputation all through the years, it wasn't fair that they would completely turn their back on her in such a terrible way.
Many of them were buyers of her cars, they hadn't had any accidents or complaints, why did one car crash cause such turmoil and cyber bullying?
He understood that an employee died which must have been tragic but they accused Maya of killing the poor employee not thinking reasonably that there could have been a fault in the car which might have been beyond Maya's control.
'She must be crying so hard in her room. This must be taking a toll on her, she has been doing so well.'
Though her company was a competitor of his company, he didn't care.
She worked so hard to build the company, he was sure of that.
Maya had always been resilient, determined, and hardworking. She always wanted to be independent and that company was built up so fast and her ideas were out of this world.
It amazed him how good she was.
Despite that power and her presently feisty attitude which was quite alluring and arousing to him, Maya had a fragile heart.
She might hide her feelings from him because he had hurt her in the past but he still knew her. She might have grown but her heart was still pure and weak.
He had treated her so badly but she still sort of accepted him. Though he was aware that she never accepted his rejection, she still allowed him to touch her.
That showed how good her heart was.
'They are hurting my princess' heart. Just hang in there, I'm coming to you.' Eric said inwardly and a gloomy smile appeared on his lips.
The plane moved roughly and he swayed a bit. The thought of those comments came to his mind and he wasn't happy about any of them.
He had to do something to stop those bloggers and people from saying such horrible things about Maya. She was kind-hearted and had put so much effort into that company. Once the plane landed, he would make some calls to kill the news or help her in some way.
Eric wondered why her stupid fiance as he called him hadn't done anything to help her. It was so strange that he hadn't said anything in her defense.
'That bastard can't even make a video defending her. He must have his company and didn't want the public to come after him.' Eric thought and sought a frown etched on his face.
'Such a coward.'
Eric sighed and closed his eyes gently, he couldn't help but urge inwardly that the plane would land.
The first thing he wanted to give her was a warm hug. She might have some hatred for him but the mate bond could give her some comfort.
Mates were there to share each other's pain and though they hadn't marked each other, he still had some connection to her. For the first time after years, he could be there to comfort her.
The company must have cost her a lot of things, from sleep to time to ideas. Eric had experienced it all, it hurt him that he couldn't be there to support her.
His hand clenched as he thought of Johnny holding her when she needed someone.
'Damn it, can't this plane move any faster.' Eric thought and released a low growl.
*
The USA. California.
He reached California in the morning but he didn't return home. Instead, he lodged into a hotel, freshened up, and headed out.
He didn't have any time to sleep but that didn't matter. The most important person to him was his mate, Maya.
After leaving the hotel, he called Fred to bring one of his cars. Fred came quickly but wasn't able to ask any questions because Eric was in a haste.
Eventually, Eric got to his mate's house and tried entering her house but the password had been changed. He tried up to six times but nothing worked.
He put his face close to the doorbell camera.
"Maya!" Eric called and tapped on the doorbell sound to enable an audio. " I know that you can hear me, open up."
'Go away!' Maya replied.
'I heard everything that happened and I understand how hurt you are, sincerely I do. Please, open the door and let me in.'Eric pleaded.
'Eric, this isn't the right time for your stupidity.' Maya sneered.
Her words sort of hurt Eric but he refused to succumb to defeat.
'You're hurt by everything but remember that I will always be here for you whenever you come in search of me. No matter how much you push me away, I'll never stop returning."
Maya laughed dryly over the phone. He could sense the pain of her laughter.
'You damaged me and still act like nothing happened, how dare you? You have no right to show your disgusting face here or give any support because you broke me first! You made me feel so inferior and useless, when you rejected me, I had the urge to die.'
'You don't deserve me or my attention, you don't deserve anything good. Don't ever come here again because I'm sure that you're enjoying my downfall.' Maya sobbed.
'Never. I'm not relishing your pain. Maya, give me a chance to explain myself. You mean the world to me and I'm sorry for how much I hurt you in the past.' Eric apologized, hoping that she would give him a chance to comfort her.
'Baby, give me a second opportunity.' He pleaded.
'It's too late for a second chance, please leave me alone.' She replied and there was instant silence.
Eric stepped back dejectedly, he sighed and licked his dry lips. He didn't have breakfast or take anything before seeing her, he felt so dehydrated and more rejected than ever.
"I guess this is karma." Eric chuckled, bitterly and went into his car.
He drove off but the same black Ferrari car that was tailing Maya, followed him.
'Mr. Strange, I'm going after him like you requested. What shall I do next?'