Maeve arrived the next day at Christian's penthouse. She let herself in, having a special access card for the familiar layout. The morning sunlight cast its warm glow into the living room. The view of the hectic city in its early morning rush looked like blurred pin needles moving in the distance. It was quiet almost serene. The only sound that could be heard was her footsteps through the kitchen and the equipment being used efficiently. She hurried with coffee, knowing that anytime soon Christian would emerge from his bedroom.
And true to her thoughts he did appear from his bedroom, a magazine in one hand, while a vodka bottle in the other. She half expected several ladies would follow in tow as what he wore just some sleek boxers like before.
Maeve's gaze bypassed him, focusing on making the coffee and heading to the coffee shop afterwards. She blended the milk, the noise drowning out the silence. His stare burned through the back of her head but she refused to pay it no mind. Christian leaned against the counter frame, observing Maeve's diligence. Her concentration looked slightly intriguing to him.
As she worked around the kitchen in Christian's gaze, they lingered on her poised figure, her auburn hair tied back in a neat bun, while her hands moved with precision. He grew tired of waiting and pushed off the counter frame, with a slight knock he came closer. "Is the coffee ready?" he asked
"Yes, just wait a minute and I'll bring it to you," she said, however, it didn't stop him from standing next to her, observing as she created the artistic milky foam design before serving him. Their fingers touched briefly but she retracted immediately like her hands had been scalded by the steaming heat. He stared at the design before taking a sip of the coffee. The slow nod of approval filled with her immediate relief.
As Maeve cleaned, she glanced at the abandoned magazine left by Christian when he entered the living room earlier. It had been placed on the counter. A fashion magazine, how peculiar.
"Pour yourself a cup, it would be a shame to waste the remaining brew." Christian had said to her. Maeve startled, giving a swift glance in his direction. He now sat at the kitchen diner sipping the coffee she had served him.
"I will be leaving soon for work." she declined his strange offer. A couple of days before now. He had strongly instructed that she was not to be here as soon as she was done cooking.
"I would like to talk to you about something, it would be better if you grab a cup of coffee." his tone lowered seriously. Maeve joined him with another steaming hot cup of coffee in her hands.
"You seem out of sorts today" Christian observed her through lowered gazes. Her poise was captivating.
"I don't have the time for leisure conversations so if you will just get on with what you have to say," she said harshly, impatience gnawing at her.
Christian laughed, he was amused by her refute. The endearing response struck him as laughable. "If you don't watch your tone soon. Your hard work going to take the hit." He threatened ever so casually. Maeve gave him a deadpan stare. She swallowed the number of cusses under her tongue. Her work with this hotel brought more profit so she couldn't just throw it away.
"I'm just tired" She answered finally. Christian couldn't help but smile warmly at her restrained attitude. He felt pleased with her response.
Christian's eyes narrowed towards her still composure. He couldn't tell what was going on in her mind. Compared to before, had the years reformed her into this new character? He wondered. Maeve on the other hand was at wits end with the crippling silence between them. She tried to calm her nerves severally but with every minute that went on, it felt like hell.
"There's something I came across," Maeve instinctively prickled, sensing a change in his tone. "You renounced your family ties," he concluded.
Maeve's composure remained steady. She hadn't expected that was what he would talk about, it left her surprised and curious, why he would bring that up? It's been five years since it happened. "That's old news, and don't tell me, you made drink a cup of coffee for that." She said, flabbergasted.
"It very much is what I wanted to talk to you about." He said to her in a point-blank tone.
"You have no right to ask anything about me. And I'm sure you already know what happened. Why else ask me directly?" her tone was icy but calm. She was very sure he had pulled up a number or two and investigated what happened. It had been no secret of hers. Anyone who opened the tabloids would come across the topic.
There had been much emphasis on her renouncement being she wanted to escape with another man she loved. Many others speculated it was just a ploy to get her name in the spotlights and front of any cover magazine. Maeve was sick and tired of looking at the outrageous slander directed at her. What many thought was no issue to her as long as it wasn't brought to her face.
"I don't also believe the outrageous words in all the tabloids" Christian admitted as if reading her mind.
"Don't chastise me," she said dryly.
"No really I don't, but what I am so curious about is, why the renouncement? you could have just thrown a fit and still be riding rich on their backs. But you threw it all away and don't fool me with the word you changed because it doesn't seem that frivolous attitude left at all. What's the end game for you?" he asked, his tone dismissive yet provoking.
Maeve's jaw clenched, her voice stiff and under her breath. "That's my business. You son of a-- Ahhh! " she screamed in frustration as she stood up from the counter stool. Christian's gaze trailed her every movement. Watching her unravel a lot of anger that she still tried to suppress.
Maeve fingers balled into a fist and she pointed her index to his face. "who do you think you are to talk to me that way."
Maeve's voice lowered as she muttered between gritted teeth. "Even if I had an end game why would I ever confide in an estranged family member? who disappears as he likes, then pokes into my business when he feels his curiosity has been stroked." she lashed out aggressively.
Christian's face darkened. "You don't understand the point, Maeve," he said unbothered by the fury she had displayed at him. "Leaving the family makes you an easy target. The Donahue family has had a history between them and the world. Not a fun history if I might add and as long as you have the Donahue blood running in your veins, there will be people lurking by to take out their anger on you."
"I have done fine for five years since I left that family. I doubt they would want to come for someone who has no value in that family." she retorted.
"Renouncing the family was a drastic decision on your part. I don't know what made you do such a stupid thing but if I were you, I would go back where you can be protected and I dare say it must be soon" he warned her. Maeve was baffled.
"My reasons for leaving are mine alone. I would very much not like to bring up this conversation again" She packed her things from the kitchen and just about when she left his apartment. " since we aren't related anymore not that we were originally. You don't have to speak for my well-being. I can take care of myself fine and well. Also lest I forget, leave your comments to the receptionist next time, will you? Seething down the elevator.
She didn't have it in her to answer the passerby's greeting and stormed her way out of the hotel.