Giving Him A Chance

Maya's POV

"Thank you, Aya. You have no idea how happy you've made me tonight. I promise—you won't regret giving me this chance to know you."

Adonis's voice was soft, but the emotion behind it was undeniable. And that smile—God, that boyish, lopsided grin that made him look less like the confident heir of the Monleon empire and more like the boy next door falling in love for the first time—had me completely undone.

I bit my lip to keep from smiling too wide, but I failed. My grin bloomed across my face like wildflowers in spring, impossible to contain. I hated how easily he could do this to me—melt me with a look, disarm me with a word. But even more than that, I hated how much I wanted it.

A part of me—stubborn, guarded—still whispered warnings: What if he's playing with you again? What if it's all just another game?

But a deeper part of me, quieter and braver, whispered something else entirely:

What if he means it this time?

And if I were being honest with myself... I wanted to know the real Adonis Monleon. I wanted to understand what made so many girls in our community hopelessly drawn to him—even when he was arrogant, even when he didn't care.

Because if I could fall for him when he was at his worst, what chance did I have now that he was beginning to show me something tender? Something real?

I looked out the window and saw our small house growing nearer—and, to my surprise, a strange ache bloomed in my chest. I didn't want this ride to end. I didn't want the magic of tonight to vanish the moment I stepped out of his car.

"I hope you won't drive me away if I decide to visit you," he said suddenly, voice lighter now—teasing, almost shy.

There was something so unfamiliar in the way he spoke to me—gentle, respectful. It was the same tone he used with Ariana when he was being a soft, protective twin. And the way he said Aya—my nickname, my name softened in his mouth like a secret—made me feel seen. Wanted.

And I hated how badly I wanted to believe every word he said.

"I can't promise anything, Adonis," I said as the car rolled to a stop in front of our gate. "But I'll try. And I hope you meant everything you told me."

I glanced at our small house, no bigger than his bedroom, and felt the sharp sting of the contrast between us. His life was wrapped in privilege and acres of land. Mine was held together by hard work, dreams, and my grandfather's sacrifices. But despite the difference, I didn't feel ashamed. I felt proud.

Because love doesn't measure worth by square footage or bank accounts.

"Thank you, Maya," he said, his eyes warm as he turned toward me. "I know words aren't enough... so I'll show you, little by little, who I really am. And I think... you might be surprised."

Then, as if he couldn't help himself, he winked at me—and I swear my heart forgot how to beat.

Before I could respond, he stepped out and circled the car. My breath caught when he opened the door and offered me his hand. I hesitated for a moment... then placed my palm in his.

The contact sent sparks racing up my arm, like every nerve in my body had just remembered how to feel again.

He helped me stand, his touch lingering just a second too long. And just when I thought the night couldn't undo me more, he leaned forward... and pressed a kiss to my forehead.

It was soft. Gentle. Almost reverent.

But it lit something wild inside me.

And just like that—he pulled away, gave me one last look, and whispered, "Good night, Aya."

Then he was gone.

His car disappeared down the dirt road, but I stayed frozen in place, heart pounding so hard I could barely hear the world around me.

"Wow," a voice called from behind. "I leave you alone for twenty-four hours, and suddenly you're swooning over Adonis Monleon."

I jumped slightly and turned to see my best friend, Lisa standing with her arms crossed, eyebrows raised in dramatic disbelief.

"I swear, you better start talking. Now. Spill. Everything."

I laughed—breathless, dizzy, still clutching the warmth Adonis left in my veins. Lisa was grinning now, clearly ready to drag every detail out of me. And I already knew Ariana would be calling her later, demanding an update.

The thought made me smile.

Somehow... against all odds... this night had shifted something. And I wasn't sure where it would lead. But maybe—for the first time—I was ready to find out.

Lisa didn't belong to the inner circle of the elite kids in our town, but her life was comfortably more than average. They owned their own home and a pair of modest cars, had a helper at home, and her mother held a managerial position at a bank in the city. Her father worked abroad—steady, loyal, and always sending gifts come Christmas. Compared to us, they had more than enough

But she never once made me feel the difference between our lives.

She was the one who taught me how to use a laptop, how to text properly, and even how to navigate the camera settings of her cell phone. Thanks to her, I didn't grow up ignorant about gadgets, even though I didn't own any.

During breaks at school, while others lounged around eating at the canteen, I was tucked away in the library, finishing assignments on the public computers or reading donated paperbacks. Lisa would lend me her laptop whenever I had something big to submit, letting me work while she borrowed her mother's instead.

That's just the kind of friend she was—generous, sharp, and fiercely loyal.

"I—uh—let's talk inside," I stammered, knowing full well she wouldn't let this go. "I'll tell you everything. I know you're going to roll your eyes, but I swear I'm still trying to wrap my head around it too."

We slipped into the house, and the second the door clicked shut behind us, she pounced.

"I can't believe this. One car ride, and you're glowing like a firefly in mating season," she teased, plopping down on the bamboo chair with all the grace of a queen settling into her throne. "You've been dreaming about Adonis Monleon since we were twelve, Maya. I knew one day he'd break that arrogant shell of his and come crawling to you."

I groaned, half slicing, half stabbing the squash for dinner. "You make it sound like he proposed or something. He just offered friendship."

Lisa laughed. "Please. A guy like him doesn't offer friendship to just anyone. He's testing the waters. Trust me, that wasn't a 'let's be friends' kind of ride home."

I sighed. "I don't know what to feel. I mean... he was sweet. Like, genuinely sweet. He even opened the car door for me and—get this—kissed me on the forehead. I nearly fainted."

Lisa gasped dramatically. "Forehead kisses?! Maya, that's intimate! That's 'I care about you but I'm trying to be respectful' energy. Girl, he's smitten."

"I hate that I liked it." I sat beside her, feeling my cheeks heat up. "He talked about the past. About the stupid bet. He actually apologized. And for once, it didn't feel like he was trying to mock me or get a reaction."

"Maybe that slap knocked some sense into him," Lisa said thoughtfully. "I've always told you—he acted like a jerk because he didn't know how to deal with his feelings. Some boys pull pigtails. Adonis? He ruined reputations."

I winced. "Yeah. Not the healthiest form of affection."

"But he came back. And now, he's trying to undo it. That has to count for something."

"I want to believe him," I admitted softly. "I want to believe that the version of Adonis I saw today is the real one. The one who watched me with those serious eyes, who told me he regrets what he did... who said the kiss we shared wasn't part of the bet—it was real."

Lisa let out a dreamy sigh. "Why are you fighting this again?"

"Because I'm terrified." I looked down at my hands. "What if he's only doing this because of guilt? Or boredom? Or worse... what if it's just another game?"

"Then let him prove otherwise." Her voice softened. "But don't close the door before he's even had the chance to knock."

I smiled faintly, grateful—and still shaken.

"And by the way," Lisa added brightly, "Ariana told me about the barbecue party."

I groaned. "Of course she did."

"She said you're one of her guests of honor, and she's giving you two weeks to prepare. That's enough time to get a new dress, fix your hair, and maybe even find the courage to dance with her brother."

"I'm not going."

Lisa stared at me.

"You are going," she corrected.

"No. I want to avoid Adonis."

"You mean you're afraid to see him again because your heart's already halfway to surrendering."

I didn't answer. She didn't need me to.

Lisa leaned back and smiled. "Just remember the kiss, Maya. Not the pain. You've already lived through the worst part—maybe this time, you get to live through the part that makes it all worth it."

And for a brief second, I let myself wonder...

What if she was right?