As she stood there trying to make sense of it all, she thought to herself.
'Why did fate bring Cole back into my life now? I had started to move on, finding happiness with Lucas, or so I thought. But it was all a lie, he wanted me for his own gain. And now, Cole is standing in front of me, telling me he still thinks about me."
As Maya and Cole stood there, lost in their own thoughts, Lucas approached them, a hint of concern etched on his face.
Maya's eyes widened in shock as he approached them, his presence a stark contrast to the emotional intensity of her conversation with Cole.
"Maya, where have you been?" He asked, his voice low and gentle. "I've been looking all over for you."
Maya hesitated, unsure of how to respond. She didn't want to reveal her conversation with Cole.
She was unsure of how to navigate this awkward encounter.
"Just getting some fresh air," she replied, trying to seem nonchalant.
"Lucas, this is Cole, my very good friend and Cole this is Lucas," she said, trying to sound calm despite the turmoil inside her. "My..boss's son."
Lucas's eyes widened in surprise as Maya introduced him as her boss's son.
He seemed taken aback, he had expected her to reveal a deeper connection between them.
But he said nothing, his expression neutral.
His eyes flickered to Cole, a hint of surprise and curiosity in his gaze, a hint of tension in his handshake.
But he didn't protest, didn't correct Maya's downplaying of their relationship.
Instead, he shook Cole's hand firmly, his eyes locked on his.
"Nice to meet you, Cole," he said, his tone polite but cool.
Cole reciprocated the handshake, his expression equally neutral. "Likewise Lucas."
The two men stood there for a moment, hands clasped, eyes locked in a silent understanding.
Maya felt a shiver run down her spine as she watched them, sensing the unspoken tension between them.
Then, Lucas released Cole's hand and turned to Maya, his eyes narrowing slightly.
"Can I have a word with you? In private?" His voice, low and urgent.
Maya's heart skipped a beat as she hesitated, she had no idea of what to do. But something about Lucas's tone, his eyes, made her feel she had no choice.
"I'll be right back." She said to Cole.
She nodded, and followed Lucas to a quiet corner of the room, leaving Cole standing alone, watching them with an unreadable expression.
Lucas's eyes bore into Maya's soul as he asked, his voice low and husky.
"Why didn't you introduce me as your husband? Is everything okay?"
Maya's voice trembled as she spoke, her eyes welling up with tears.
"I am disappointed in you, Lucas. I thought what we had was real, I thought our connection was genuine."
Lucas took a step closer, his heart pounding like a drum. "What are you talking about? Our connection is real."
Maya's laugh was bitter. "You lied to me, you lied about what you wanted. I thought.. you loved me."
Lucas's eyes narrowed, his grip on her arm tightening. "I still do, I care about you. Who told you this?"
Maya shook her head, her eyes flashing with anger.
"You care about me? You have a funny way of showing it. You broke my trust, and now..now I don't know if I can ever trust you again."
Maya's voice was laced with hurt and anger as she continued.
"And I know why you've been so sweet to me, Lucas. I know it's because you want me to bear your child."
" You want an heir, a legacy. You don't care about me, or my well-being. You only care about what I can give you."
Lucas's face fell, his eyes filled with regret.
"Maya, I…I can explain. I really care about you."
His mind raced as he tried to figure out who could have revealed this to Maya.
As he looked at Maya, he couldn't deny it. He had started out wanting a child.
But as he got to know her, as he fell deeply in love with her, his motives changed.
He wanted her for herself and not what she could give him.
"Maya listen to me, I know I didn't start out with the purest intentions. But I swear to you, I fell in love with you."
"I love you for who you are, not just what you can give me."
Maya's eyes narrowed, her expression skeptical. "Save it Lucas," she said, her voice cold. "I don't want to hear it."
Maya's gaze faltered, and for a moment Lucas thought he saw a glimmer of hope.
But then her mask slipped back into place, and she walked out on him.
Lucas's face paled, his eyes filled with a deep sadness.
He knew he had lost Maya's trust and he didn't know how to get it back.
Lucas's eyes followed Maya as she moved through the room, her smile and laughter a stark contrast to the pain and sadness he felt inside.
He watched as she effortlessly charmed the guests, her beauty and grace captivating everyone around her.
But Lucas's gaze was tinged with sadness, his heart heavy with regret.
He knew he had hurt Maya, had treated her poorly right from the beginning and now, he was paying the price. He felt abandoned.
As he watched Maya with Cole, he couldn't help but think about how she must have felt when he treated her badly.
He imagined her pain and her sense of worthlessness.
His mind raced with thoughts of how to make things right.
Lucas was willing to do whatever it took to regain Maya's trust, to prove his love for her.