Home / Romance / Maria / Chapter 11 - Chapter 20

All Chapters of Maria: Chapter 11 - Chapter 20

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New development

"Jackson, you home?!" Harry's voice rang loudly and sent his eyes prying open. He jolted awake, but his body still very limp. The last thing he remembered was being at the anniversary party and now...he glanced around, he was in his bedroom, close to something really warm. He wiped the sleep off his face and opened his eyes wider, something was under these sheets, apart from him. It wriggled and exited soft moans. He pushed the sheet a little lower, it revealed Maria, his PA sound asleep as her face meets his chest.His bare open chest! He sprung up immediately and she opened her eyes too, the movement of the bed must have waked her.How on earth did he end up on this bed with his PA? He disregarded the question when Harry's deep-voiced words percolated through again, startling her more than he did him. He watched as she hurriedly sought composure, pushing down her hair and wiping her sleepy face, she definitely knew what happened."What? How?? You-" those were the words he could mak

Danger in the well.

Maria/Aanu

Just one day of having Maria as his PA and articles like this already flew around, it wasn't unexpected in his line of profession, the only bewildering question was when she had time to draw such a conclusion. He drew down his curtains and closed the windows shut. It was raining outside, and the pitter-patter sound of the rain against his window made his head ache. Could it be a lie? Just another make-believe of low-budget journalists? The article spread like wildfire and was begging to get more response and attention than he expected. They've even had time to dig up pictures of him refusing to shake or hug ladies over the last decade, it was common courtesy for him, but instead, it added to their unreasonable conclusions. He kicked his flip-flops off, and jumping on his king-sized bed, he was swallowed by the velvet sheets, just as he loved it. Void of any disturbance, the thoughts in his head were the only thing he needed to curb—if they could be. He couldn't wait for Maria'

If the roles were switched?

Maria/Aanu

She had dropped on the bed like a dead body as soon as she got to her apartment. It was a nerve-wracking day. First, the actors she held dear turned out to be complete nutjobs, then her boss got drunk and she pulled him all the way home, then the drunk blockhead pulled her into bed with him, making her faint heart skip several beats. She couldn't believe how little it took for her to fall asleep next to him. She had to be losing determination for that to have happened. She could have easily broken free from his embrace and stinky breath, she thought then wondered why she didn't. It was a compromising situation and it could have happened to anyone, Maria concluded, kicking her shoes off.She had ordered a mini pizza on her way home, now she just had to sit and not overthink. She, however, failed. Maria had a trait of overly analyzing her every move and criticizing the things she did that can't be undone. Growing up with the mindset that all things had to fall in place, this trait of

One problem down

Maria/Aanu

Words couldn't be scarier. Having something for someone 'in mind' could mean anything. It could be equivalent to 'i'd ruin your life' or 'i'd make you suffer!' Words, sentences swarmed her mind but her face remained straight and posture unyielding. She made a big mistake tonight and that's okay, or was it? She had 'accidentally' flirted with her boss after falling asleep next to him, what a preposterous story. "Uh...okay." She hummed fiddling with her fingers."You may leave." His voice from menacing to stern and emotionless, he said to her and she stared like it was an alien language. This again is completely against her will."Uh-uh.""Or you wanna stay the night?" Yikes, no! She screeched, but internally. She would have termed his response sarcasm if he didn't have a devilish grin plastered on his damningly good-looking face. Why did she have to notice that at such a crucial and uncomfortable moment?"Yes, boss." She turned to leave, still dripping wet, but hot nonetheless. "9

DATE- date.

Maria/Aanu

Maria had never choked on her saliva just as she did when Harry asked her to dinner. Was it a work-official dinner or a date dinner where she could freely talk about the things she liked? Thousands of questions ran through her mind, till she heard her name being called by someone."Maria?" In a question-like voice, Harry called out looking confused. Oh shoot, she still stood before him. "It's okay if you don't want to, I just-""No, no," That wasn't it in the slightest. If only he knew how satisfying his asking her was. "I'd love to. Do you have a place in mind?" She politely asked."Not yet...I was thinking if you'd agree to come over to my place. I-uh...cook a lot, I could make you something."Choke. She choked again on her saliva, it felt like a battle in her throat.Okay, this was clearly a DATE-date, and as much as Maria wanted to avoid those kinds of dates, she didn't feel like she should let go of this one. "Uh, sure. I'd love to, text me your address." Happy, co

A present.

Maria/Aanu

There was something about this woman that was intriguing. Was it her boldness or how she readily tried to hurt his pride, or how she always defied him? That brief moment of nerfed intimacy he had with her didn't cease to taunt him, perhaps because it's been a while since he'd been that close to a lady. It was...fast and confusing and if there was anything he was sure of, it was that he hated it. Jackson was scared of a change in plans, in routines. A little tweak in programs that had already been set in place could shatter him completely. What he needed now was a hot bath, dinner, and sleep—a long nightmare-free slumber. Earlier today, he had received a notification from his father compelling him to visit and a warning of the dire consequences that followed if he didn't. Jackson's true nature was defiance and pride but towards this man, all he felt was faint cold fear. Never has he once underestimated his ability to pull strings—his father, in other words, was the puppeteer

No day off.

Maria/Aanu

Her legs were numb and her body tired from the day's activities, the fun parts, and the parts that she was too complicated to be talked or thought about, at least not until she was freshened up and wrapped up in a blanket on her warm cozy bed. That period of introspection was something everyone needed, that time when you carry out personal criticisms and calculations about what really matters. The ride seemed longer than she expected. Not only was it longer, but it also bore with it two depressing messages from Jackson, just a few moments away from each other. The first— an invitation to somewhere she was unsure of, while the second was a message of urgency, she could feel the rush in the text after counting the exclamation marks that ended it.Only God knows what he wanted this time, she has asked for a day off. Like a halo, her thoughts were afloat in her head, churning and turning with the need to be attended to. It's been just a short while here yet so eventful, she kept feeling

Something to say?

Maria/Aanu

The D- day. It's been what? A year or two since he last saw his father, now he had to do it today and successfully hold back the emotions rooted deep in his heart. He had to smile, nod, and answer unsolicited questions just to protect that particular person—his mother. His bed seemed to swallow him deeper at that moment, making it even harder for him to get out of it. He hoped he could just lay there as time passed, registering in his head that nothing really mattered and that his life was his. Not the world's, not his father's, not America's, not ACE's, His. But that was too farfetched, it shouldn't be, he was only human after all.Was inviting Maria with him cowardice? It, indeed, was. A part of him was scared of the unfamiliarity or hostility that he'd be met with, he needed a familiar face to create a balance for the short period he was going to spend there. And he knows for sure her presence would piss off the old weasel. Anything he could to make a dent in his emotion

Harry is a Jones?

Maria/Aanu

How did her life go from living in a cramped two-room apartment to living the moments in houses she thought she'd only see in her dreams? That remained inexplicable to her. The fact that she existed in this time, in a mansion she once thought only the movies could offer, it was incredible. She had been angry after he informed her of the location, but as soon as she set foot on this heavenly ground, all of the anger waned drastically. All she felt was gratitude and happiness.Mr. Jones seemed to be a nice man, one of the nicest she had met since her stay here. If the mother was nice, and the father was— summing up looks and courtesy— near perfect, where then did Jackson get his nasty attitude? She was led to the dining room by the man that welcomed them outside the building. His name was Theo and from what Maria noticed, Theo was someone Jackson cared about. Something inside her moved when she watched Jackson hug him. Already sitting on one of the expensively carved chairs was Mrs. Jon

The proposal

Maria/Aanu

*A FEW MINUTES EARLIER* Theo accompanied Maria into the dining hall after father had said he had something important to discuss. Something didn't feel right, Jackson couldn't tell if his father was tense or pretending to be. In a while, they were at the lush green scene behind the buildings, his favorite place inside the mansion. He remembered sneaking out on late evenings to throw himself upon the soft grass as they cuddled him deeper, making the best blankets. He did this to feel like he was in control, like he could at least do something that he wanted to do. Theo was the person who watched out for his father's arrival and snuck him back into his room whenever he lost track of time.Those were the few good times that he could remember. Jackson's father took steps in sync with Jackson's, tucking his hands inside his pockets. He released them with a shrug and dropped them to his sides. Jackson wanted him to talk already, staying next to his father made him seeth in silence."I

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