Chapter 18
MAYA
I get into Zach’s car feeling like I dodged one bullet, but now I’m heading towards a different type of danger.
It feels like I’m about to jump headfirst off a cliff. Cross another line. I’m wound too tightly, my nerves tangled up with adrenaline and caution as I watch Zach outside pacing the street.
I feel even worse for burdening him. He’s got so much to deal with, so much to prove to his twisted family. I’m just giving him more work and stress he doesn’t need.
A few moments later he gets into the car, and gives me a reassuring smile. “Ready?”
Ready for what? But I nod, because there’s no use in asking questions. I don’t have any other option, so I give in and try to go with the flow.
His big hands take the steering wheel, and that huge watch glinting in the light, makes this moment even more surreal.
“You look scared.” Zach glances at me as he drives. “Don’t be. You’re staying somewhere safe.”
“This evening hasn’t gone the way I thought it would.” My fingers thread together, on my lap, my thoughts racing faster than the city lights in the window. “I don’t mean that in a bad way.”
He doesn’t say anything, but this entire time, he’s always the one willing to help and talk, and I’ve constantly pushed him away. I’m not scared. I feel safe with him, but I’m more worried than anything that the security guard will tell Katherine, and I have no way of explaining myself.
I also never told Mom that the apartment was being fumigated, and now I’m glad I didn’t, because I don’t know how I’d explain this. Me being in Zach’s car, the son of the man who wronged her, not sure of where I’m going. No questions asked, because he asked if I trusted him.
Everything I promised myself I’d never do, out of loyalty to my mom, and here I am, doing it.
Letting Zach Knight help me. I stare straight ahead, my jaw and neck muscles feeling tight, even though I should feel relieved that I have a place to stay tonight.
There’s no way I could have stayed at the office once the security guard caught us.
Zach has fixed it, again.
Because he has money.
Because he has the Knight name.
But it’s not just that. I’ve been reducing him to that, but the truth is, all he’s ever shown me is kindness. All he’s ever done is help me. From the moment Cecil’s laptop went flying out of my hands and hit the floor, to giving me a project at work, and now he’s saved me again.
I’m not falling apart, though some days it sure feels like it.
I’m a practical person, which is why staying in Katherine’s office made so much sense.
If I had the security codes to the executive rooms upstairs, I would have slept there and Zach wouldn’t have found me.
I wouldn’t be in this situation now; staying at his apartment for a few nights.
And if the security guard had found me, and Zach hadn’tt been around, I would’ve ended up paying five hundred pounds a night for a hotel room. Tomorrow night, it would’ve been a thousand. That’s rent money I can’t afford to throw around.
The car slows, then stops.
“Tribeca?”
He nods. “I live around here, not far.”
“You’re taking me to your place?” I cry, heart thumping with shock, or maybe excitement.
“I told you you’re not staying at my apartment.” He gives me a knowing, cheeky stare. “Would you like me to take you to my place?”
I thump him lightly, while my heart still thunders inside my chest. I can’t believe this man. I’m emotionally worn out, and he’s joking around.
“Relax. I’m about a ten-minute walk from here. Same neighborhood.” He stops abruptly, as if he’s ashamed to admit his wealth.
I’m still wrapping my head around where we are.
That he owns a place here.
Not one place, but ‘a few’.
And this isn’t even his home.
We get out, and I stare at the apartment block, my neck craning as I take it all in. This can’t be real. It looks like the expensive apartments I dream about. “Wow. I never thought I’d actually get to spend a night in a place like this.”
“Yeah?” he says, casual and dismissive, almost like he’s ashamed.
Maybe because I’ve been pushing back on him and his wealthy background.
Instead of focusing on that, I should be thankful that I’m standing in front of a gorgeous apartment block, and about to stay in an apartment he owns, because he’s generous, and caring, and he didn’t hesitate to make sure I had somewhere safe to sleep.
He’s still got a heart of gold, despite his privilege. It didn’t change him. I feel a weight roll off my chest. “Thank you, for this. I really appreciate it.”
“My pleasure.”
We go inside. He talks to the concierge at the desk, and we get into the elevator which softly hums softly as we ascend.
“The concierge is there twenty-four seven,” he tells me.
I feel so abundant, in this surreal moment, getting into an elevator with Zach, going to my apartment. It’s not mine, but for a few nights I’m going to pretend it is.
“I had it cleaned,” he says. “It was between rentals.”
I stare at him in disbelief. “When did you do that?”
“I made a few calls while you went to the washroom.”
I’d gone into the washroom to splash cold water onto my face, because this evening had taken on a fork in the road I hadn’t seen coming, and all the while he was arranging all of this.
“That was fast.”
“It was already clean, but I had someone quickly give it a once over, and fill the fridge with a few things so you wouldn’t go hungry.”
We get out and he hands me a small black fob. I turn it over in hand.
“Hold it against the panel, it’ll beep and the door unlocks.”
I stare at him speechless. “You’re so … so … such a decent guy. You haven’t changed one bit.”
He’s always been around to help me, even when I didn’t realize I needed help, or support.
I remember back on the Knight Estate, when he told me I could take books from the library even after his father caught us.
We were almost holding hands when Zach’s father walked in and saw us.
He didn’t like it. The cold look in his eyes chilled me to the bone.
I didn’t want to get my mom in trouble, so I rushed out of there.
After that, Zach told me we couldn’t meet in the library.
We couldn’t meet anywhere in the house. He told me he still wanted to meet, and he asked me if I did.
Of course I did. I found myself looking for him as soon as I got back from school. I’d search for him on the weekends, and we’d talk whenever we could. Stolen conversations and laughter. And later, stolen, forbidden kisses too.
“It’s nothing, Maya,” he says, pulling me back to the present. “I want you to be safe. I want you to sleep in a bed, and I want you to be comfortable.” He shrugs like it’s no big deal.
My throat tightens. “No, seriously.” My voice is in danger of turning high. “Thank you. For this.”
“You’re welcome.”
To my relief he doesn’t push, doesn’t probe, doesn’t ask. Because he knows me, and he knows exactly how I’m feeling right now. So overcome with emotion that I might cry.
My mouth falls open as soon as I walk into the apartment.
More floor-to-ceiling windows. I set down my small bag of clothes, my insides quivering with excitement.
I struggle to stay calm, to not run around screaming with joy.
The floors are pale wood, the surfaces are clean stone.
It’s pristine, modern and quiet, and it feels completely unreal.
And what I find most unsettling thing of all is that Zach didn’t hesitate to let me stay here.
“Oh, Zach,” I whisper, trying to keep my voice steady. I can’t hold it in any longer, and I step towards him, about to wrap my arms around him.
He steps back and I freeze, embarrassed. I suddenly become painfully aware of myself. “Do I smell?”
He blinks. “What?”
I sniff myself awkwardly. “I showered at the gym this morning.”
“No,” he says quickly. “You don’t smell.”
“You sure?” I take another sniff because I could die from the utter humiliation. I think he’s just being polite.
“You smell ... delicious. Fresh and fruity ... like you always do.”
He knows my scent. Fresh and fruity. I let out a nervous breath. “I’m so grateful, Zee.”
It falls out. The nickname I had for him. Something from our past. For a second I think I’ve crossed that line, after all, even though he cautioned me to “keep this professional.”
But if he hasn’t kept it professional, how does he expect me to?
I wait with bated breath, for him to correct me, but he doesn’t. He doesn’t even flinch. He just looks at me, and I get a warm and fuzzy feeling all over. In this moment, it feels like we’ve taken a step back into who we once were.
“I really appreciate this,” I murmur, my voice a whisper.
“I know. You’ve told me a hundred times already.” He’s acting like it’s no big deal, but this is a huge deal for me. “You’re helping me with the client data report, so …”
As if that means he owes me anything.
“That’s my job.” My heart feels like it’s going to burst with gratitude. Unable to stop myself, especially since he told me that I smell decent, I lean in to give him another hug.
This time he lets me.
In an instant, his arms wrap around me like a warm blanket, and I feel so safe, so secure and so well taken care of. We stay there, arms around each other, close but careful. I tentatively look up at him, my cheeks burning, because I can’t ignore this pull between us anymore.
His brow creases, and I remember myself. And who he is. Who we are. It’s been a long day and I’m exhausted, so I break out of our embrace first.
“Well,” I say softly. “I guess I’ll see you at work tomorrow.”
He adjusts his tie as he moves towards the door. “If you need anything, the concierge can help. And if you’re not sure about anything, call me.”
“I will.”
He pauses. “I mean it, Maya. Call me.”
“Okay.”
After he leaves, I wander around the apartment in quiet awe. A notification pings on my cell phone. It’s Fleur.
Fleur: Are you okay?
Okay? I am more than okay. I am living the dream, but I restrain myself and delete the row of smiley faces on my message.
Maya: Yes
I don’t tell her where I am. I don’t tell her any of this.
This is my secret. Just for me.