CHAPTER 16: FRENEMIES.

It was closing hours. Maya was on her desk finishing up some work when Deryn called her.

"Hey, Deryn. What's up?" She asked as she murmured what she was typing, checking for errors.

"Are you busy?" He asked.

"Lucky for you I just closed from work," Maya said with a smile when she pressed Ctrl+S to save her work.

"Stop by the house when you're leaving the company. I have something for you." Deryn sounded promising.

Maya was tensed. She was not a fan of surprises and suspense,

"What is it you have for me. Tell me." She said as she moaned.

"It's a surprise. What good would it be if I told you." Deryn said as he chuckled in-between.

"Okay, I'll be right there. Just give me a few minutes."

"Take your time, just please don't be late. I'll give you the grace of 7 pm." Deryn said as he laughed.

Maya chuckled, and then she hung up the call. Mr Weeks came in and he said with a smoky tone,

"Hey, can I come in?"

"Sure," Maya replied.

"Who were you talking to?" Mr Weeks asked as he came in.

"It's just Deryn."

Mr Weeks mood changed, but he did not want Maya to notice so he said,

"So, I wanted to ask you if you could go with me to the billionaires' fundraising event." Mr Weeks said rapidly.

"Slow down, billionaires fund-raising event?" Maya asked confusedly.

"That is if you're less busy." Mr Weeks hesitated.

"So the billionaires of this city hold fundraisers. Shocking," Maya said as she smirked.

"What's shocking about it?" Mr Weeks asked, with a peal of brief laughter.

"Tell me, where does the money go to? Into your pockets or?.... No, tell me, surprise me." Maya said, hoping to get a different positive answer.

"Maya, it's for the city. You should know since you come from around here." Mr Weeks expected Maya to know these things since she said was an Indigene.

"This city doesn't need that much money you billionaires generate. Other neighbouring places are suffering, those are the places that need you and your likes' support." Maya stressed.

Mr Weeks listened to her astounded by the way she sounded. She reminded him of his late wife.

"Why aren't you saying anything back?" Maya asked, surprised at Mr Weeks reaction.

"You sound like my wife." Mr Weeks said as he turned away from Maya.

Maya immediately began to feel remorse,

"I'm sorry Sir," Maya said.

"Hey, there's no need for that. Will you go with me? You could tell them about the so-called poor neighbouring places." Mr Weeks suggested.

Maya thought about what Mr Weeks said and Deryn's invitation,

"What time is the fundraising?" Maya asked.

"Now,"

"Do you think we would be back before 7 pm?" Maya asked.

"I don't know. I don't wanna promise." Mr Weeks said.

Maya put her priorities first. She knew she had the best interest at heart for Pine Hills so she decided to go with Mr Weeks.

Mr Weeks had high hopes so before he asked Maya to accompany him to the billionaires' fundraising event, he bought her a beautiful dress that she could change into.

Maya was agape, she was in love with the dress. It was a long Golden dress that exposed her cleavages, it had a spaghetti hand and a slit that started from her thighs,

"Mr Weeks you did not have to do this." She said with her hands on her mouth. She was in love with the dress.

"I insist, come on Maya. It's a billionaire fundraising event. I don't want you looking like you just came back from a hectic day at work. I want you to look sexy, I want everyone to adore you." Mr Weeks said.

Maya felt a spark between her and Mr Weeks. Mr Weeks went closer to Maya as he wore a diamond necklace around her neck, he said,

"I want everyone to be jealous of you, like you were my own gracious queen, that no one could ever have." Mr Weeks said as he turned Maya around.

"It's beautiful," Maya said, adoring the new necklace Mr Weeks gave her.

"Like the owner." Mr Weeks said with a cheerful smile as he left. Before he left he said to Maya,

"I'll be waiting for you in the car. Now get dressed."

MR LIN'S MANSION

Mr Lin came back from work and he kept on shouting Flora's name like a mad dog. Flora came down looking like a deranged human being. Her hair was all messed up, one could tell that she was tired of her miserable life with Mr Lin,

"I bought you a dress, some shoes and some pieces of jewellery, put them on. We're going for an event right now." Mr Lin ordered.

Flora took the dress, shoes and pieces of jewellery and she went to their room to get dressed. She did whatever Mr Lin asked of her because she did not want any complications anymore.

CLUB DENAIRE

Club Deniare was a prestigious organization set up by the top billionaires of the city. They had a president and every position one could occupy to run an organization. They came together to discuss arising matters of the city. This time around, they came together to start a fundraiser for the well-being of their city.

Everyone looked their extreme best, including Maya. She came in with Mr Weeks, everyone couldn't stop staring at the both of them. They exchanged greetings with some people present. Shortly, Mr Lin and Flora arrived. Mr Lin held Flora by the hands and whispered into her ears bitterly,

"You ought to smile when I tell everyone you're expecting my baby."

Amidst all that had happened to Flora, she still found a way of looking perfect as always, she wore a fake smile and she said,

"I won't forget."

They walked around, greeting other people while Mr Weeks and Maya went to have their seats,

"It's really beautiful in here," Maya said delightedly.

"Yes, it is Maya." Mr Weeks replied.

Mr and Mrs Charlotte came to meet Mr Weeks and Maya,

"Mr Wayne, what a charming lady you've got here." Mrs Charlotte said, admiring Maya. She admired her jewellery and her dress, not to mention her astounding beauty.

"Is she your wife?" Mr Charlotte asked.

Maya and Mr Weeks were lost for words until Mr Weeks said,

"No, she's not Mr Charlotte." He hesitated.

"Oh, then who is she. Oh my, she looks very gorgeous and breathtaking." Mrs Charlotte said as she rubbed Maya's head.

"I'm his very good friend," Maya said with a warm smile.

"Okay Mr Weeks, then you have a very charming and beautiful, good friend." Mrs Charlotte emphasized the good because she wasn't buying it.

While Mr Lin exchanged their greetings with the other distinguished guests, Flora sighted Maya. She couldn't believe her eyes, first, she saw her singing during his launch, now she's seeing her with her secret lover. She was boiling with rage when her husband said to her,

"There's Mr Wayne Weeks, let's go greet him then we can have our seats."

Flora did not want to go, she was ashamed of herself. She did not want Maya to see her, and the last thing she wanted was for Mr Lin to tell Mr Weeks that she was pregnant.

"We'll be right back ladies and gentlemen." Mr Lin said as he and Flora went over to meet Mr Weeks and Maya.

Meanwhile, Maya got a call from Deryn so she told Mr Weeks that she would be going to the restroom. Flora and Mr Lin reached Mr Weeks' table only to find out that Maya was not there. Flora felt relieved,

"Ahhh, Mr Lin, Miss Flora. What a pleasure to see you both." Mr Weeks said while he tried not to make eye contact with Flora.

Flora hoped her husband would not say anything about her pregnancy. So she decided to say something different,

"Mr Wayne Weeks, there was this lady I saw seating here with you. Honey, did you see her too?"

"The winner of his local competition. What's her name again?" Mr Lin said.

"Maya. What about her?" Mr Weeks asked.

"Where is she. I would like to speak to her." Flora said.

"On what occasion?" Mr Weeks said surprised.

"Well, I haven't congratulated her for you know, winning your competition and your heart as well," Flora said, trying to make it clear to Mr Weeks that she knows his current fling. She was disgusted just by remembering the sight of the two of them.

"Winning my heart?" Mr Weeks said confusedly.

"Flora!" Mr Lin said, trying to caution Flora.

Suddenly, Flora began to feel dizzy so she excused herself and went to the lady's room,

"Excuse my wife Mr Wayne." Mr Lin apologized.

"No worries, I understand women. Sit, let's talk." Mr Weeks implored.

IN THE LADIES' ROOM

Maya was inside a toilet, on the phone with Deryn.

"....I know Deryn, I'm sorry but work held me back," Maya said.

"Come on Maya, you just started today. There's no need to overwork yourself." Deryn begged.

"That's me, Maya the workaholic." Maya jokingly said.

"I'll call my dad and tell him to let you go. I want you here with me."

"No, don't!! Remember you said on or before 7 pm. And it's just 6 pm so I'll be there. I promise." Maya hesitated.

Shortly, Flora rushed into the restroom, forcefully opened a door to one of the toilets and threw up inside the toilet,

Maya heard someone come into the restroom so she decided to speak in a lowered tone.

"Where are you?" Deryn asked Maya.

"At the office, why'd you ask?"

"I could swear I heard someone throwing up. Plus, I can hear echoes of your voice."

"It's definitely the connection. Okay, I'll see you later." Maya said as she quickly hung up.

She left the toilet to hear a lady in another toilet throwing up. The sound was horrible,

"Hello, is anyone there?" Maya asked as she went door to door to find out what door the noise was coming from. She finally found it and opened the door.

She helped the lady to raise her hair while the lady vomited,

"Are you okay? Do you want water? Can I get you anything?" Maya faltered.

"Fuck!" Flora cussed. She continued cussing and throwing, while Maya helped her hold her hair. She cried as she said,

"I'm a fucking mess."

She stood up to clean herself and to her utmost surprise, she turned back to see Maya, Maya was also appalled to see Flora. They both screamed furiously when they saw each other.