by Ciara Cole
“This isn’t an illusion,” Alain told her while resting his hand possessively on her pregnant stomach. “It’s proof that what we have, has the right to bloom. Neither of us have the right to say it’s not worth a chance.”
Maya stared at Alain while fighting down her anger, so deeply embedded within her since she’d found out about him yesterday. “You’re too good at saying all the things I want to hear. But no matter how much sense you make, I’m standing by my decision. You can still play your role as the father of my baby, but there can’t be anything romantic between us.”
She could see how hurt Alain was by her words. But what could she do? He just kept giving her more and more pain. Right from the start, she’d opened her heart to him without question. Like a fool, she’d told herself she didn’t need to know more than the fact he wanted to be part of her world. She’d established so much of her future based on everything he’d opened her up to. Now it all felt like ashes, because she didn’t know what was real and what was not, anymore.
“Don’t make any rash decisions right now,” he said in a calm voice. “I take the blame for everything. Because of my damn ego, I risked sacrificing your trust. Give me one more chance, and I promise I won’t make the same mistake again.”
“I’m done with promises,” Maya said, and moved to the door as quickly as her heavy body would allow. She knew if he was still close by she’d never be able to think things through. “Just give me a bit more time,” she added with less hostility than before.
Maya saw him wince, and knew he didn’t want to leave, but she was glad Alain finally chose to respect her wishes, and after a deep sigh he was gone out the door. Tears spilled silently out of Maya’s eyes as she leaned against the closed door, and somehow, she sensed Alain’s presence right outside on the other side, and imagined him resting his head against the frame, unable to just walk away. All Maya needed to do was unlock the door again and take him back in but, she found the inner strength to hold back.
Minutes later, she heard faint footfalls of Alain finally making his departure and her heart sank with every receding step. Was it well and truly over between them? Or was she making the biggest mistake by pushing him away? What if he never came back?
She’d have to pay the price, come what may. Maya wanted to win back her pride and self-esteem, battered after several months of never being secure about Alain. Maybe they could work things out, maybe not. But she couldn’t hinge her whole happiness and existence on another human being, not after he’d used gimmicks just to protect his ego.
Perhaps, if it wasn’t for her own hidden insecurities and how she’d never really felt worthy of him, then she wouldn’t have reacted so negatively to everything. She’d seen glimpses of the world where he truly belonged, when she’d viewed his profile both online and in every magazine he featured in, which she got her hands on. That life of glamor, affluence and accomplishment where someone like Maya couldn’t even dare dream of attaining on her own.
Maya had been awed and frightened by the prospect of wanting to lay claim to being at Alain’s side. She couldn’t really picture herself as a billionaire’s girlfriend or wife, that was if Alain was even thinking that far.
She’d seen pictures of women he’d been with prior, and she even began to question what he’d ever seen in her. Maybe she’d started out as an exotic diversion, but then she went and got pregnant and now, he felt duty-bound to take responsibility for the baby. How could she bear being the one to make him trapped?
Even with how much she told herself she’d made the right decision, Maya spent the next few days in constant turmoil. She wasn’t completely alone – she had Nikki and the support of a few other friends and family, but it wasn’t the same. How had she grown so dependent on Alain’s presence in her life, that it physically ached to be separated from him this way?
To make matters worse were the headaches that started to get at her as she got well into her third trimester. Her doctor had told her to be more careful about her posture and to get plenty of rest and relaxation, but none of those remedies seemed to be working.
Deep down, Maya knew her tension headaches might not be entirely pregnancy related. She couldn’t count how many times a day she stared at the phone wanting to call Alain up. She didn’t even know if he was still in the country or had returned to Europe on one of his constant business trips.
Thinking of how in the past many months he’d always been too busy, Maya’s resolve hardened and she changed her mind about calling him. She could handle this alone, she vowed.
Finally, Maya decided she needed some time away. She didn’t plan on going anyplace far, just somewhere quiet she could have to herself for a few days. Even Nikki wasn’t told exactly where it was – Maya didn’t want anyone trying to butt in thinking she shouldn’t be alone while heavily pregnant. It was exactly because of everyone making such a fuss, that Maya decided on the little retreat.
The spot was a secluded, out of town location that was almost rural in setting. Maya instantly felt revived by the fresh air and the sense of being cut off from the stress of city life. The property owned by one of her aunts who’d passed on and left the place to Maya and her sisters. The others hardly spent time there, not fond of the rustic life with barely any amenities, but the thought of living rough strangely appealed to Maya.
It was like being one with nature, and during her time there she let her thought wander over the past year. About how she’d always been independent – maybe too independent. Her last boyfriend, Sam had even told her, he’d sometimes felt lacking because she never seemed to need anyone or anything. Her self-sufficient nature, made it so that even when she cried, or felt down and alone, she never really expected anyone to give any comfort or even care.
Slowly, Maya realized how much she wasn’t perfect either. As such, she started to feel guilty about giving Alain such a hard time just because he’d made mistakes. She wasn’t ready to simply excuse them all away, but she began to understand that she couldn’t stick totally to the negative side of things. In many ways Alain had been a pillar of support at that time when she’d lost her bearing. His patient and steadfast nature had encouraged her to seek an inner purpose and do something with her life other than just working for a paycheck. He made her want to make the best out of life, and of herself.
She felt bad now, when she thought of when she told him she could always find a father for her baby. To her, Alain was the best father. It hurt her to think of his pained eyes and how he looked like he already thought she was slipping away from his grasp.
She thought of his many calls since the two weeks she’d spurned him and told him to go. Sometimes, she picked up and managed a stilted conversation keeping him posted about the pregnancy. Other times, she simply disregarded the call, telling herself not to be softened by his apparent solicitude. Where was he all those months, when he’d left her on her own while he’d tended to his precious company abroad?
Maya had dozed off with all those thoughts swirling, and when she roused from her nap it was to a splitting headache, worse than any of the ones she’d had of late.
She cursed herself for taking the risk of coming out this far out of town on her own. The acute pains that racked her skull almost made it impossible to reach for her phone on her bedside drawer. Finally, she grasped the mobile and pressed the needed number. She felt an almost dizzying relief that almost an instant later, a deep voice came on the line.
“Maya?” The sound of hope in Alain’s voice made her heart churn along with her head. He sounded so glad to hear from her she wanted to cry at all her foolishness. How could she have been so stupid as to let her pride stand in the way, after accusing Alain of making the same mistake?
But just as she readied to pour out her emotions and tell him she was sorry for being so blind and judgmental, she felt her vision blur as her head swam round and round. “Alain, I don’t feel so good,” she worded, and then gasped in pain, the phone slipping out of her fingers. The last sound s
he was conscious of as she drifted into blackness, was Alain’s voice calling for her. Then, nothing.
Chapter Fourteen
In the dim hospital room, the machines beeped softly along with the mounted TV with the weather forecast on, the volume low. Maya felt groggy as she came awake, and looked around unsure for a moment, as to why she was there.
Bit by bit, the events of the last many hours came flying back to her memory. Unable to keep her heavy eyelids up, she let them drift closed again as sleep again took over.
Somehow, Alain had found her. Maya had no clue how, considering she hadn’t told anyone where she’d be. He’d appeared right in her bedroom and carried her limp body up in his arms. She was barely conscious of his soothing voice, tinged with its own worry and fear. She was placed at the back of the car, her head resting on Alain’s laps as they were driven to the hospital.
From there it was a blur of activities. Tests to check if the baby and mother were okay, and then the doctors diagnosing high blood pressure as the culprit for Maya’s collapse. Thankfully it was nothing some rest and proper diet couldn’t fix, and would have no adverse effect on the pregnancy or delivery. Maya had felt relieved to know that, even as she shifted in and out of alertness. One constant thing, was the feeling of a familiar touch of hands, linking with hers and offering warmth and strength even without saying a word.
Maya felt safe just knowing Alain was right there next to her, making sure everything was okay with her and the baby.
When she woke up again, she turned her head to the side and saw the flowers, cards, balloons and even stuffed animals piled there. She turned to the other side, and smiled weakly when she saw Alain seated right next to her bed. His head rested forward on his chest, his arms folded as he nodded in obvious exhaustion. Maya’s smile deepened even as she felt bad for causing him to worry and lose sleep. She lifted a hand to reach out and brush back his dark, silky locks when suddenly, she let out a shocked gasp.
Her outstretched hand was dazzling thanks to the biggest, most fabulous engagement ring she’d ever seen in her life. Her jaw dropped in amazement as she tried to remember where the hell it had come from. It was so beautiful, set in a gorgeous cluster that winked and stunned.
Managing to break out of her daze, Maya again reached for Alain’s lowered head and ran her fingers through his hair, marveling at how the diamonds gleamed against his dark mane.
Roused by her touch he came awake, his head lifting. He looked disoriented for a moment then shook himself alert, before breaking out in a huge, disarming grin. “Never have I been gladder to see those beautiful brown eyes,” he told her huskily. “You know how scared out of my mind I was?”
He leaned forward to drop a tender kiss on her forehead, and Maya’s heart fluttered. Damn, did she love the hell out of this man.
“Would you by any chance, have something to do with this?” she asked in a voice slightly thick, as she wagged her ringed hand under his nose.
Alain smiled, looking unrepentant as he grabbed her hand and kissed each finger. “I was hoping you’d like it.”
“I’d be crazy not to like it – it’s beautiful! But, what does it mean?”
“What you think it means,” Alain said deeply, in response to her shy query. “That I don’t want to spend another moment apart, and that I’m settling on making you mine for keeps. No more games, no hiding. I love you, Maya Sherwood. Will you marry me?”
Chapter Fifteen
That was a year ago. Not long after that, Maya had found out, through Alain’s admission, how he’d been able to know she’d be at her aunt’s property. Alain confessed how he’d been having her followed, and Maya had been shocked.
But then he’d explained, that because he’d had to be away so much, he never felt really at peace unless he knew she was doing okay. It was one of the hired detectives who’d informed Alain of Maya’s exact location. He’d rushed there just in time and found her unconscious before bringing her quickly to the hospital. Thankfully it had all turned out well in the end. Thusly, Maya didn’t really have the heart to stay mad at Alain for tailing her without her permission.
And as to Alain’s marriage proposal…Maya’s answer had been, “Yes, with all my heart.”
Since then they’d moved to Europe, where Maya now ran a renovation garage. Alain enjoyed helping on his own time, but it was really Maya’s brainchild.
Now that their son Marcel Adrien Bernard was almost ten months old, Alain again proposed to Maya at their new home in front of the baby. Curly haired, blue-eyed Marcel giggled and clapped his tiny hands as he watched mamma and papa, Maya letting Alain twirl her high up in his arms as they went round and round, laughing happily. Of course, her answer again was yes. It was about time for a wedding, she told him.
It was tough picking where to go for their honeymoon. They’d never really taken a decent holiday together. It had to be somewhere extra special. Maya had always longed to visit Hawaii, but she wasn’t sure it would be Alain’s cup of tea.
To her delight, he thought it was a splendid idea.
Alain assumed she’d want something small and private for the wedding, but Maya seemed full of surprises. Once Marcel was born, Maya had decided she wasn’t going to keep to the shadows. Alain had sensed her unease with being introduced to his lifestyle, but apart from her initial diffidence she’d made sure that Alain continued to enjoy the limelight that his business and interests in car racing brought to the forefront.
Now that their son was older and needed less round the clock watch, Maya could delegate more time to the army of nannies, friends and relatives happy to give a hand with the baby while Maya introduced herself to Alain’s world of European high society.
Secure in Alain’s affections, she never felt like she had to compete with all the beautiful supermodels, actresses, heiresses and other females always swarming around Alain while in a social environment. Of course, Maya always aimed to look her best and always be someone Alain could be proud of. She maintained her looks and figure, and kept up with the finest trends in fashion. She frowned on any extravagance though, and was determined that through her business pursuits she was less of a liability to Alain and instead, more of a partner in so many ways.
Alain called this, their first real courtship and Maya tended to agree. They were together as a couple that held no secrets or masks between them, and each day brought new ways to learn and love. Their honeymoon, best of all, was a time for the fullest of bonding between them. It would be the most memorable few weeks of Maya’s life.
It almost felt like suddenly, they could now make time for romance. Since the beginning it had always been about starting her new business, having a baby and just making it through the challenges in her private and professional life. Now, it was all about love and passion and togetherness.
Like something out of a fairy tale picture book, the next few months passed in a dream. Maya and Alain planned a lavish wedding even royalty would envy, and invited friends from far and wide to the location wedding at a picturesque English castle.
The headlines told of billionaire Alain Bernard marrying his girlfriend of over a year and mother of his son, Maya Sherwood. The pictures all over the internet and glossy magazines showed a gorgeous brown-skinned bride in a breathtaking white lace designer wedding dress, while her incredibly handsome French groom, dressed in his impeccable Giorgio Armani suit, was by her side sharing vows, smiles and joys.
The details of the honeymoon though, were far more closed to the public. All that was known, was it was somewhere in the central Pacific, perhaps on an idyllic island of corals and volcanic peaks.
“If they guessed it was Hawaii, then they were spot on,” joked Maya, seated next to Alain in the private jet as they hovered over their destination.
“Well, it would take them at least a few weeks before they find out for sure. Before that, best not to let anything leak out from friends or social media.”
“You know me. The mistress of discretion.”
/> Alain laughed at that, and Maya beamed at the sound. She couldn’t have enough of this Alain, with his unrestrained mirth and almost boyish appeal. Maya was sure their upcoming triad of sun, sea and sand on their small island, would create the happiest, most long-lasting memories that would keep them smiling for ages to come. Maya planned to take tons of pictures, all the more to treasure each blissful moment.
Maya was determined to try everything. Though she’d done some traveling since she’d moved to Europe with Alain, she’d never done much in way of adventure. In Hawaii there was certainly no shortage of activities and of course, romance.
Thanks to the fantastic weather, all they needed to do was pick what to do for whatever time or day it was. Ever indulgent, Alain ensured that Maya had her fill of every kind of thrilling experience she longed for. Helicopter rides over the gorgeous islands, scenic rides through amazing terrain, scuba diving and wind surfing, dolphin and whale watching and so much more. Maya especially loved the sense of rich culture, and of being stuck in time, within a paradise location dotted by volcanoes and the black sand beaches created by them.
How totally amazing it was, to pick a day to leave behind the hotels and spas, all the golf and tennis and instead, go on a drive south to Mount Halekala. There, they got to see the huge crater that could easily fit in the city of Manhattan, and simply enjoy the more laid back, undeveloped areas of the island. Maya already felt like she’d want to return to Hawaii for every holiday from now on.
What would always stand out for Maya though, was the very first night of their honeymoon after arriving at the breathtaking island Maui. They were afforded an incredible sunset view just off the beach where they attended a luau, a traditional Hawaiian party. On offer was some of the best food and drink Maya had ever tasted, while they enjoyed the lively show and music. Sharing this tropical nirvana with her dream man who was now her husband, made Maya almost want to pinch herself every five minutes.
