Chapter 1

Sound of my phone buzzing woke me up. I searched the bed for my phone, my eyes still closed. I answered it without opening my eyes.

“Hello?” My harsh sleepy voice is cringeworthy.

“Maria, are you still sleeping?” He scolded me on the phone.

“No, dancing.” I joked sitting up on my bed.

“It’s three in the afternoon.” He sounded disappointed with me.

“Come on, I've jet lag.” I frown, even though he can’t see me frowning. I looked around my room yawning, then I caught my reflection in the mirror on the side wall and cringed. If I go out like this everyone will think that the city is under zombie attack. My hair is so messy and I’m damn sure it’ll take an hour or more to make them free of knots.

“Anyway, are you coming to the office tomorrow or not?” He asked, knowing well that he can’t make me come to the office today. I put my phone between my shoulder and ear. I ran my hands through my hair trying to free the knots.

“What are you going to do, Billy? You know you can’t even fire me.” I smirked knowing my advantage well. My fingers got struck in the middle.

Oh shit!

“Maria!?” He pleaded this time. My phone slipped while I was trying to remove my fingers with the other hand. I took the phone and placed it back in its place.

“Okay, I’ll come.”

“Thank you!” He thanked me excitedly. “I’ll see you tomorrow then.”

“Okay, bye!” I hung up. I frown looking at my hair. I need someone to brush my hair. I got out of my bed sighing. I opened my bedroom door and called for the person I'm looking for. “Elena?”

I hear no response. I opened another door hoping I'd find her there. Well, no she isn’t there.

“Elena? Mara?” I called again. I went into the kitchen, I didn't find anyone. I turned back to leave but found a note attached to the fridge door. I removed the note and read it.

Went to the park. Be back soon.

I smiled looking at the smiley face drawn after the message. I opened the fridge to feed my hungry stomach. But to my disappointment I didn’t find anything, not even raw vegetables. I found some chocolate bars but they aren’t gonna fill my stomach. And Mara will disown me if I eat all of them. Just for now, I grabbed one chocolate bar. I decided to get some groceries. After eating, sorry licking the chocolate off my fingers I jumped into the shower.

"What to wear?" I asked myself as I tightened the towel around me. I took out blue jeans and a red top with butterfly sleeves. I looked in the mirror and there’s no way I'll get these knots free. So, I’ve decided to put it in a bun. I put a note on the fridge.

Going to get groceries.

I locked the apartment and gave some work to my legs. Grocery store is only a few blocks away. Twenty minutes later I was out of the store with my hands full. I was walking around looking around. I stopped in front of the cafe I used to go to but to my bad luck it’s under renovation. In disappointment I turned to walk away but bumped into someone.

“Ouch!” The person yelled in pain. The grocery bag almost slipped from my hand.

“Sorry, it’s my fault. I didn’t see.” I said as I pulled the bag up to my chest.

“It’s okay.'' A familiar feminine voice hit my ear. “Maria?”

She called my name. Wait? She knows my name. I looked at her and her face was familiar. Then it hit me, we both went to the same high school. And were best friends until fate decided to separate us.

“Julia?” I was shocked, I didn't expect to see her here. She and her family moved to California to be with her grandparents. She threw her arms around me. I couldn’t hug her back because my hands are busy.

“Oh my god, I missed you so much. I tried to contact you but I couldn’t find you. How are you? What are you doing now? Where are you living?” She asked excitedly question after question. She was as excited as I was. It’s been so long since I've seen her. I was about to reply but was interrupted.

“Excuse me?” A middle aged man passed by us. We smiled embarrassed realizing we blocked the path.

“We need a lot to catch up. Let’s go to my place.” She invited me. I want to go, but ...

“No, maybe next time. I‘ve to go.” I declined her offer. Maybe I should invite her to my place since it was only a few blocks away. Well, maybe that’s not a good idea.

“No, you’ve to come. Please!” She took my hand and dragged me to her car. I gave in and went with her. We both sat in the back seat, she told her driver to drive home.

“Nice car.” I commented looking at the features of the car.

“Thanks, I’ll let my brother-in-law know about that. My husband and I moved back to New York two days ago. So, he lets us borrow his car and his driver.” She smiled brightly. I sat straight after hearing that.

“You got married and didn’t invite me.” I faked a frown and folded my hands.

“It’s not a big wedding with only a few family members. And I told you I couldn’t find a way to contact you.” Well, I shouldn't blame her then.

“Sorry.” I apologized. The car stopped in front of a two storey house. We both got out. It’s beautiful and has some familiarity. “It’s beautiful.”

“Well, decoration and everything is according to my husband’s taste. I like it too, so I didn’t say no.” I followed her inside. It gave me a feeling of home and I felt being in the embrace of the person, once I was close to. “Make yourself home. Any drinks?”

“No, why don’t you sit with me and tell me about your love story.” I pushed her to sit with me. She blushed, her face turned red.

“My love story started after marriage. Ours is an arranged marriage. He doesn’t want to marry, I don’t know his reasons then, I’m not ready to marry yet. But you know, parents.” She interlaced her fingers, her smile didn’t fade away.

“Julia, are you happy?” I placed my hand on hers in concern.

“Yes, very much. We learned to love each other. I can’t live without him now. I love him that much.” I nodded, smiling at her.

“Wait, I’ll make you some coffee.” She quickly went into the kitchen to my right. I looked around, and this house feels cozy and comfortable. It’s been so long I've felt like this. Maybe five years. There are small frames on the wall to my left. I got a glance of white dress on one of the frames, a wedding photo.

I stood up from the couch and walked to the frames. In the first one, it was Julia’s teenage photo with a dog. Maybe it’s when she moved to California. Next one is with her parents. My eyes moved to the next one, my eyes widened when I saw the person who Julia married. It’s their wedding photo. My heart beat goes up, I can hear it. In the text frame, it looks new and has happy faces, Julia stood between two men. Oliver Miles and Raymond Harper. Two men involved in my past. Those two men who I’ve been avoiding for the past five years. One I loved more than anything in my life, I still do and the other…….

“Julia?” I gasped when I heard that voice. The voice I used to love to hear everyday. The one I dreaded to hear everyday for the past five years. My cheeks felt wet.

“Oliver?” I heard Julia's voice. I wiped away the tears with the back of my hand. I shouldn’t be here, I need to get out of here.

“Where’s Raymond?” I heard him ask.

“I don’t know, he didn’t tell me when I asked.” Julia told him, like complaining. “Hey! That’s not for you.”

“Do you have a guest?” What should I do now? How will he react when he sees me? Does he still love me, like I do? Why will he love me? He’s the one that cheated me. He never loved me.

“Where’s she? Do you like the photos, Maria?” Julia asked me and I heard Oliver coughing vigorously. I turned around slowly. “Are you okay?”

Julia is patting Oliver’s head as he is coughing. She took the coffee cup from him and put it on the coffee table. Oliver lifted his head and met my eyes. He didn’t change a bit but looked more handsome than before. His eyes widened in shock.

“Maria, this is my brother-in-law, Oliver and Oliver this is Maria, my friend.” Julia introduced us like we didn’t know each other. Well, she doesn’t know that. He smiled excitedly. I glared at him, even though I love him, he cheated on me with his secretary. He opened his mouth to say something but my phone rang stopping him.

“Excuse me?” I moved to the corner. His eyes never left me. I answered my phone. “Hello?”

“Hello, Maria?” The person said. I pulled my phone away from my ear and saw it’s an unknown number.

“Elena? Why are you calling from another number? What happened to your phone?” I looked to the side and saw Oliver and Julia talking. He kept on sneaking glances at me. I don’t want the worry in my face to be evident.

“Umm… Well, it broke. We’re in the hospital.” Her voice is shaking.

“What happened? Where’s Mara?” My heart is beating fast. If anything happened to Mara….... No, I shouldn't think of anything like that.

“Mara is fine. You don’t need to worry.” I sighed in relief. “But I think you should come to the hospital.”

“Okay, which hospital? And where’s Mara? Give her the phone.” I couldn’t relax until I talked to her.

“St. Peter's hospital. And here.” I waited for Mara to speak.

“Mommy!” My baby spoke through the phone.

“Baby, are you alright? Nothing happened to you, right?” I shifted my weight as I felt uncomfortable under Oliver’s gaze. Julia is nowhere in sight.

“No, mommy. He saved me. He, there is blood, mommy. I’m scared, mommy. Come fast.” My five year old daughter started crying. My heart clenched as I heard her crying.

“Shh.. I’m coming, baby. Don’t cry.” I saw Julia coming out of the kitchen.

“Maria?” It’s Elena again.

“Elena, I’m coming. Take care of her.” I cut the call and rushed to Julia’s side. “Julia, I need to go. Something came up.”

“Is everything okay? You don’t look good.” I wiped away the sweat that formed on my forehead.

“I hope we meet again.” I lied. I don’t want to meet the people I’m avoiding again. With the last look at Oliver, he’s looking at me with confusion written all over his face, I rushed out of the house like a mad person. I don’t care what he thinks, my daughter needs me, that's all I care about.