7 Memories From Last Year-Part 4

Maya's POV

I am about to go back to the terrace and wait for Adonis because I don't want to linger and listen to their conversations anymore since it only causes me pain. But when I heard Cassandra's next words, I was stunned and didn't know how I was going to walk away from this place with my head high.

"Even though I know the truth, I am still furious with Adonis. I know Jake and Adonis made a bet that he could kiss Maya tonight without a sweat." She said.

"He had done it once; why must he do it more than once? It seemed to me he was enjoying the whole kissing scene with Maya," Cassandra added.

My entire limbs shook, and I felt my whole world collapsed. How could I be so naïve to listen to his words? And I realize he planned everything perfectly, and I am such a fool believing in him that he likes me.

"Just stop thinking about it, Cassandra; you know Adonis, maybe he was just trying to make his acts look legit to avoid doubts from Maya."Her friend responded.

"And you can't deny it; she has the face of an angel and who knows Adonis enjoyed kissing her." Her friend added, and I don't know how I feel at the moment. No matter how much I hate him, I still hope Cassandra's companion is right.

"Stop that, Leah, you are my cousin; side with me and not with Maya," Cassandra yelled at her.

"Relax, Cassandra, I am just trying to state the obvious here: Maya is beautiful, and you have witnessed many of our friends trying to ask her to dance, and she only agreed to waltz with your Prince Charming," Leah replied.

I felt happy and sad simultaneously, and I couldn't believe someone like Leah would appreciate my beauty.

I took my courage to pass in front of them rather than pee on my dress, and they fell silent when I got inside. Cassandra's eyes widened and before I could go to the restroom, she stood up and walked towards me with a stern look on her beautiful face.

"Well, I guess you heard what we have been talking about, and how do you feel about it, Maya?" She asked me, and I remained mute.

"Answer me?" She shouted at me, and I wouldn't say I liked the tears that poured down my face.

"Wow! Bravo! You are crying, meaning you are hurt, and that is good because this incident must serve as a lesson to you: stop flirting with Adonis because he is not into you." She yelled.

"Adonis won the latest iPhone edition because you let him kiss you, and his act fooled you. I pity you, Maya, but you deserve all this because you are a social climber. Wake up from your fantasies, farm girl." She added, and her friends clapped their hands. And she bowed in front of them, and I could hear their laughter echoing in the living room as I ran back outside.

I better pee on my dress than be humiliated by them; my tears continued to fall on my cheeks, and I didn't care to wipe them aside. I go to the distant end of the veranda on the backside of the mansion as far away from the party, where I know no one is there to witness my breakdown.

I cried until there was nothing left in my tears. I trusted Adonis, but he only fooled me around; for him, I have been just a part of their stupid game. I hate them for playing with my heart, and because they are rich, they even targeted my innocent heart to be broken by their foolish bet.

It hurts because Cassandra was right; he is the only boy I want, and I fantasize about him every day since I felt something towards the opposite sex. He is my only crush, and he will always be in my heart; no matter how painful it is to be played by him, I still long to be with him.

But I realized what he had done tonight was below the belt and too extreme to handle. It is time to wake up from my dream and face the reality that Adonis is a star that I cannot reach, and all I can do is look up to see his glitter from a distance.

"The first kiss I shared with Adonis was a lie. It felt so real to me, God, why it hurts this much." I mumbled to myself in a whisper.

My whole body stiffened when I felt someone standing beside me, and I got so afraid it was him, but I felt comforted when I felt his presence move closer to me. He put his blazer on my shoulders, and I can smell his familiar scent. And I was relieved that he came.

"Maya, why are you staying alone and crying in this part of the mansion where the party is on the other side." He said, and I turned around to see his handsome face. I can't stop myself from weeping again, and he takes me into his arms.

"Richard! What took you so long?" I said while I put my arms around his waist.

"My flight was delayed, and I just arrived. Mama told me you attended the party and I can't find you there. Why are you crying?" He asked.

I don't wish to tell him his best friend did this to me, and I wonder why they are so close when they have distinct personalities. He is warm and friendly, while Adonis is cold and distant.

"Okay, if you do not tell me what is going on, I will not force you to confess to me all about it, but I want you to stop crying." He said, and he kissed my forehead, and I nodded.

He is not only rich, but he is handsome like Adonis, and he is also as tall as him, and they have the same body physique. They are popular with girls in our place.

I got so lucky to have him as my friend Richard "Rich" Clay Fernandez is the son of Donya Esmeralda, who owns the Hacienda Hernandez.

"Now, can you accompany me downstairs?" He asked, smiling at me.

Rich is one of the wealthy boys in our community, but he is different. And I don't know why I felt closer to him, and his friendship made me realize that not all rich are snobs.

He has the same personality as Ariana, very down to earth that is why we became friends.

He took my hand and squeezed it, and I felt relaxed, and he lessened the pain that I felt.

"Mom told me you will work on the flower farm this summer." He added, and he never let go of my palm.

"Yes, and I am so excited about it, Rich. I miss the sunflowers and the roses, your mother's Waling-Waling, your mom's favorite orchid," I said, and he smiled at me, showing his perfect white teeth.

We were still holding hands when I saw two figures on the terrace kissing hungrily with each other, the exact location where I shared my intimate moments with Adonis.

And I couldn't be wrong, and I know him so well even if was standing with his back to me, busy giving pleasure to Cassandra. It made me realize Adonis tricked me, and I was just a bet on a prize he needed to win. I can hear the moaning of Cassandra even with the background music, it seems she is doing it on purpose to hurt me more.

Her palms are around Adonis's neck while he is stroking her whole body, and I look at his hands travel along with her thighs. I tried to look away, but my eyes tricked me, and I remained focused on them until they sensed our presence. His face hardened when he turned around and saw Rich holding my hand, but he recovered quickly and smiled at us.

"Wow! Maya, I haven't thought you were such a flirt, you spent your time kissing with me a while ago, and now you are with another man, and he is my best friend." He said with disgust on his voice.

I could feel his anger towards me, and he had no right to call me a flirt. I can feel my entire face flushed because I felt so hurt by his words and actions. How could he kiss her? And it made me realized they belong to each other.

"Hey! Easy Adonis, you have no right to call Maya that way, and I think you should apologize to her," Rich said, and I could tell he was controlling himself.

"Why should I say sorry to her? We shared a kiss, and I know she enjoyed it very well. Come on, Rich, I am your best friend. Why are you defending her?" Adonis asked.

"She is way out of our league, Rich; she is poor, and she doesn't belong to our society. Why are you wasting your time to be with her?" He added, and I could tell Rich was trying to hold back his wrath because I could see his fists curled into his side.

"Watch out with your words, Adonis; what is going on with you, why are you acting this way? Maya is my friend, and I respect her. If you want us to remain friends, stop being a big jerk. It seems like I don't know you at all, Don." He responded.

"Let us go, Maya." Richard said as he looked at me with concern in his eyes.

I was astonished to find Adonis looking so disturbed. I expected him to banter with his friend, but he just walked away, dragging Cassandra with him, who was giving me hard stares.

I saw Cassandra give me a sinister smile. I felt grateful for Rich's presence; without him, I wouldn't know how to face them. They both wounded my innocent heart, and I promised myself to stay away from them from now on. What I had witnessed made me realize it was time to tame my heart to forget Adonis Buenavista Monleon.