The night passed peacefully, with Maya and Alex sleeping soundly, their bodies entwined under the warm blanket. Maya's head rested on Alex's chest, his arms wrapped protectively around her. The first light of dawn filtered through the curtains, casting a soft glow over the room.
Alex woke up first, his eyes slowly opening to the sight of Maya nestled against him. Her serene beauty took his breath away, and he couldn't help but gently caress her cheek. As he watched her sleep, he whispered softly, "I can't lose you."
Maya stirred at his touch, her eyes fluttering open to meet his loving gaze. A soft smile played on her lips as she saw the adoration in his eyes. Without a word, they leaned into each other, their lips meeting in a hungry, passionate kiss. Their bodies pressed together, and the world outside ceased to exist as they made love once again, their connection deeper than ever.
Afterward, Alex reluctantly pulled away, knowing he needed to start his day. He kissed her forehead and whispered, "I'll be back soon," before heading to the bathroom.
Maya lay on the bed, a contented smile on her face, replaying the morning's moments in her mind. But her tranquility was shattered by the sudden ringing of Alex's phone on the nightstand. Curious and still basking in the afterglow, she picked it up without thinking.
Before she could say anything, a harsh voice on the other end said, "Boss, where should we dispose of the maid's dead body?"
Maya's heart stopped. The words echoed in her mind, and she felt a cold chill run down her spine. Alex had killed the maid who pushed her into the pool. The realization hit her like a punch to the gut. Tears welled up in her eyes as the phone slipped from her trembling hand.
When Alex emerged from the bathroom, he found Maya sitting on the bed, tears streaming down her face. His heart sank, and he rushed to her side. "Maya, what's wrong? What happened?"
Maya looked at him, her eyes filled with a mixture of pain and anger. "I heard the call, Alex. You killed that maid. How could you?"
Alex's expression hardened, a storm brewing in his eyes. "She tried to kill you, Maya. I couldn't let that go unpunished."
Maya shook her head, her voice trembling with emotion. "But killing her? Alex, that's not justice. That's... that's murder."
He reached out to touch her, but she pulled away, her tears falling freely. "I can't believe I... I let myself fall for you. I hate myself for loving a murderer."
Her words cut through Alex like a knife. He watched helplessly as she cried, feeling the weight of his actions pressing down on him. He had acted out of love and protection, but in doing so, he had become the very thing he despised.
"Maya," he said softly, his voice filled with regret. "I did it to protect you. I can't stand the thought of losing you."
She looked at him, her eyes red and swollen. "But at what cost, Alex? I don't know if I can live with this. With us."
Alex's heart broke as he realized the depth of her pain. He wanted to hold her, to comfort her, but he knew that his actions had created a rift between them that might never be mended. As Maya sobbed quietly, Alex sat beside her, the silence between them heavy with unspoken words and shattered trust.