Shawn P.O.V

The last two days were… eventful. I didn't have a chance to catch my thoughts amidst the speed of the last two days. I was now laying down on the bed, staring up at the ceiling, clutching my phone in my hand after ending the call with Maya and calling it a night.

I let my memory meander over the recollection of the events, interpreting my feelings over it.

When I stepped into the therapist's office, an edgy sensation unraveled inside me. I couldn't deduce how I was going to get the explanations to all my questions in there. Maya sat next to me, the distance between us barely measurable. Her bare skin grazed mine and an electrifying sensation shivered down on me. I cursed my uncontained emotions for letting loose.

The moment she began to narrate the mishap that was her life, I felt my heart stop beating for a moment. A numbness blanketed me. As she went on, without taking a pause, I simply stared at her, feeling my heart break a little more; moment by moment. I couldn't believe my ears. This must be some sort of a joke. I secretly prayed to myself.

The moment I realized it wasn't, an unbearable rage urged inside of me. I was angry. Scratch that, I was furious. The names struck me familiar and after pondering for a few moments, it hit me. They were the same ‘cousins’ we met during the New Year's Party. She was worked up, agitated, frightened even. I assumed they had bad blood but now knowing the actual reason behind it, I needed nothing more than to beat the living life out of them.

Evermore than the rage, I felt an emotion overpowering all others. Hurt. Hurt for the girl that sat right in front of me, who had been through hell worse than unimaginable pain yet she sat there, unmoved as he dug out the deeper graves.

I was left in awe for most of the time. My brain didn't want to process the information just revealed, out of denial. She suddenly grew quiet, looking out of the window. The moment I processed the last statements, that's where I got it, all of it. The answers.

I couldn't believe she would think that about us. My heart argued that she wasn't wrong from where she was coming from, considering the secrets just revealed, on the other hand, my mind argued against it.

That wasn't her decision to make if I wanted to be dragged into the mess, not that there is in the first place. I couldn't hold it against her anymore for running away. My heart and mind unanimously approved that she wasn't wrong in doing so, regardless of how wrong it was.

A sudden contact on my legs caught me out of my thoughts, and I looked up at Maya, motioning us that it was time to leave. I got up and bid my goodbye to Sophia and headed towards the door when Sophia called me from behind.

“Shawn, would you mind if I talk to you for a minute?”

I stared at her in surprise for a moment before finally nodding and turning to Maya.

“You go ahead. I'll meet you outside.” I said and walked towards Sophia.

She mumbled something that I quite didn't catch. I didn't put a lot of thought into it either and heard the door slamming back.

She motioned me to take a seat and I did.

She fiddled her pen between her fingers and ran through her notepad before finally beginning, “I generally don't disclose my private sessions of my clients with anyone but I have to make an exception.”

I adjusted my composure, waiting for her to go on. Isn't that a tad bit unprofessional? The thought crossed my mind but I pushed it aside.

“Maya had been coming over here and not once was she willing to talk about her past. She would occasionally provide a few bits but that was it. I knew there was more to it.”

“But today not only she was able to acknowledge her demons but she was able to let it out from the darkness. It's a major pull-through. And I'm pretty sure you are the reason behind it.”

“You're giving me way more credit than I deserve. It was all her. She came ahead and did it.” I answered distastefully.

“She sure did. And she found courage in you. If just by being here, she came forward and willingly acknowledged her rough past without hesitating, then you must be emotional leverage to her.” 

I raised my eyebrow in slight confusion.

“Not many find strength and comfort in someone to let their guards down and be vulnerable. Maya has built a very strong one, yet she doesn't hesitate to be vulnerable with you and I'm guessing this wasn't the first time.”

I nodded. We both had been vulnerable in front of each other and shared stuff that we never did to anyone.

“People seek solace and comfort from the one they become vulnerable with, especially cases like this when they speak out about things they are afraid of. Right now, Maya seeks that comfort from you. I have no doubts that you wouldn't, but they need to be handled sensitively and with utmost care. She will question everything, if confessing was a good idea or if it was worth anything. She needs reassurance, and no one would provide it better than you.”

I tried to make sense of whatever she just told me. It kind of made sense but at the same time, it didn't.

“Now that everything's being said, you should return to Maya. I am guessing she had already started questioning and regretting it.” She chuckled softly and I responded with a forced smile.

~

The tension amidst the air inside the car was palpable. The drive was unexpectedly quiet. Although she denied that she wasn't crying just before I got out of the complex, I knew better.

Sophia's words echoed around my head. She was right. Maya was questioning her actions. Her restless tapping feet acknowledged that. I contemplated Sophia's suggestion about being careful and sensitive around her for the time being. But I didn't agree. She didn't need me to be careful around her. She needed to feel normal. Additional sympathy would only add to her misery.

I wanted to be mad at her. When I saw her after almost eighteen months, I wanted to be mad at her, for as long as I could. To nullify any logical explanation she could have come up to explain the act she pulled through. I wanted her to feel as terrible as I felt all these months. Believe me, I wanted that so much.

But after the confession, it was as if all my rage and hurt transformed into something. Being mad at her for a reason as this just seemed cruel. It wasn't sympathy. It was something that broke my heart and healed it all at the same time. Something that evoked me to reach out and kiss her pain away. To shower every form of love on her I possibly could, to make her feel that she mattered, more than anything else could in my life. It was an unexplainable feeling. But it was there, and it overwhelmed me.

No matter how much I try to, I cannot make myself hate her or dislike her with utmost intensity. It wasn't even two days and she managed to perish my anger as if it didn't exist in the first place. In addition, she handed down a new sort of emotion that was comforting and confusing, all the same time. After a lot of thought, I reached a conclusion. Maya Matthews had me wrapped around her little finger. 

And the worst part is? I didn't mind it. At all. I fucking loved it.

I drifted off into a state of blissful silence, smiling until I am no longer conscious.

~

“Next Saturday. Got it. Thank you.” I cut the call and unplugged my earphones. I finally got a meeting with Doctor Dannell. The drive to Maya's apartment was long. Annoying, if I may add. I wasn't looking forward to the 'friendly' dinner.

If I had to be completely honest, I didn't like Neil. Or whatever his name was. The idea of Maya sharing an apartment with a stranger for over a year wasn't the most welcoming feeling. I felt a sharp rise to my annoyance, just by thinking about his name. It was a foreign feeling. I hated that feeling.

The sole reason why I agreed to this nuisance was to get a little more time to spend time with her. I smiled at the irony. I was mad at her and didn’t want to be near her again but the next thing I knew, I was driving to her. I bet I looked pathetic. But for obvious reasons, I didn’t care.

I climbed out of the car and made my way towards the staircase. I heard hurried footsteps trudging down the stairs and the next thing I knew, Maya had her arms wrapped around my shoulders and mine around her waist and I was twirling her in mid-air. Her bright giggle reached my ears and that brightened my dull day, and it was moments like this, I didn’t want anything else but this.

“Hi!” She chuckled softly, her feet landing on the ground.

“Hey” I found myself instinctively planting a soft kiss on her forehead and she shot me the brightest smile of all. This feels so good.

She took my arm and led me into her apartment and I followed her lead. The house was nothing fancy as I imagined it to be. The house had a rustic decorative theme. The walls were covered with neutral schemes, adding sobriety and tranquillity to the ambiance. Few mid centuries modern lighting hung from the ceiling, adding warmth to it and few foliage plants hung at the wall in a steel pot, while some of them were on the corner of the floors. A grey couch was aligned at the center, white and black furry cushions aligned in a straight, consecutive fashion, in front of a black fireplace. The open kitchenette was right behind the couch, the dining table placed in a few measurable steps.

 It gave a feeling of warmth which we felt when we got home. It radiated a peaceful home ambiance that offered plenty of comfort and tranquillity.

“Nice place.” I complimented, taking in the scenery.

“Thanks. It was all Maya. My apartment seemed like an abandoned shelter before she came in here. She made it feel like home.” Niall said, popping out of nowhere.

“Why am I not surprised?” I smiled to myself. Always the perfectionist.

“Shawn, could you please come here for a second?” Maya called from somewhere that I presumed was her bedroom.

Niall huffed loudly before disappearing into the kitchen and I walked towards her bedroom, to find her looking down on something placed on the nightstand.

She turned around after sensing my presence, a faint smile tugging at the corner of her lips.

“What’s up?” I asked, shoving my hands into the pocket of my jeans.

“Umm… This might be a little weird but… you know what? Never mind.” She turned around swiftly, terminating whatever she was about to do.

I place my hand on her arms, turning her around. “Speak,” I demanded, with a smirk that I knew she secretly loved.

“Umm I-... Last year I bought something. On your birthday. It was silly since I knew I wouldn't be able to give it to you, but I bought it anyway. I don't know what I was thinking before buying it. But I- I want to give it to you now.”

My eyes widened. That was the last thing I expected. I simply nodded in return like a maniac.

She stretched her arm and handed me something. It was a personalized black braided leather bracelet with a huge gold bar attached to it. I took a closer look. There was a black arrow engraved and on top of that was a name. Shawnie.

Chloe called me that. I am not sure what possessed me, but I couldn’t stop the tears barging out of my eyes. It was almost impossible to stop. Maya didn’t say a word. She simply came forward and hugged me, tightly, as if trying to hold all the broken pieces in place. I instantly held her back, with the same strength, and snuggled inside the crook of her neck. She stood on her toes, trying to allow better access.

“What’s happening to Chloe?” She whispered, her hand caressing my back in a soft motion.

“She isn’t doing so great. She is in a lot of pain, Maya. And I don't know what to do to ease her pain. I feel so helpless.” My voice was barely audible.

“You’re doing everything you can. She loves you so much.”

“I love her so much. I am scared, Maya. I don’t want to lose her too. She is all I have.”

“You wouldn’t. She isn’t going anywhere. And I'm here for you. I’m not leaving. Not anymore.”

“You promise?”

“I promise.” She squeezed me tighter.

It was peaceful to stay that way with her. She returned me to peace and took away the restlessness that I had been carrying for the past eighteen months. I finally felt peace. I finally felt at home. 

We eventually pulled out and it felt empty. Great, now I am desperate.

“Well, since you gave me such a nice surprise, I have one for you too.” A mischievous smile crept up at my face and her eyes widened.

“What is it?” She jumped on her feet.

I chuckled and checked my phone. One more hour.

“You would know it very soon.” And with that, I left the room leaving her jaws dropped on the floor.

“Hey!” She called from behind but I continued walking, still smiling.

~

Maya was engrossed in washing dishes. She had a serious obsession with washing dishes. She wouldn't let anyone help her with it. And I knew better than to enter the lion's den. I had a will to live.

I stood on the balcony, looking down, waiting for the surprise to arrive. To my surprise, Neil walked in and stood next to me.

“You want one?” He stretched his arm, revealing a cigar. 

“Nope. I'm good. Thanks.”

“Of course you don't. Goody good boy.” He mumbled under his breath but I heard it anyway.

He turned towards me in a swift motion and stood in front of him.

“Let's cut to the chase. You can't just walk right into her life whenever you want. I took care of her when you weren't here. So you don't fucking don't get to come and take her away. She is mine. It would be nice if you can get that into your brain, mate.”

I stared at him, without an expression. Is he being serious? 

I resisted the urge to punch him with all my guts. I looked behind his shoulder and watched Maya dancing while washing her damn dishes.

“With all due respect,” I began with sarcasm, “I appreciate you taking care of her when she didn't have anywhere else to go, man. Seriously, thank you for that. But I don't owe you anything. You cannot tell me what I could do, and whatnot. And I'm not leaving her, but I would love to see you try though. And she isn't yours, to be clear. She is her own person.” And with that, I walked off from the conversation, smiling victoriously.

“Hey.” She called as soon as she heard my footsteps.

“Hey back.” I beamed a smile at her.

“Did he give you a hard time?” She motioned towards the balcony.

“Nope. He was as sweet as sugar plum.”

The doorbell rang and Maya excused herself to answer it.

I smiled as her figure appeared smaller as she walked. The door opened, revealing four figures standing in front of her. She froze on her step.

“Sup bitch?” The she-devil smiled mischievously at her.

Hey guys! I am back after a long time. (It's just been 2 weeks lol XD)

Which fandom do you ship the most? This is honestly difficult for me to choose since I have at least one couple that I ship the most in every show/series that I watch. But... I would go for Klaroline (Can never choose between Delena or Stelena because I don't know why, I equally loved them both. Don't come for me XD)

Snek peak: You are going to love what's coming next  ;)

I hope you liked this chapter.

Feel free to vote and comment.

I'll see you guys soon.
Stay tuned♡.

~Loveya~( ˘ ³˘)