Surprise

"OMG!!! What are you doing here?!" shrieked Maya when she saw who was standing at the door. " I have missed you so much… When did you land? Why didn't you call me?" bombarded Maya without pausing. " Breathe little sister, I wanted to surprise you. The last thing I expected was to see you faint just before my eyes," answered Aryan with a serious expression. Maya subconsciously lowered herself into the bed to avoid her brother's accusatory gaze.

She was supposed to take care of herself. Dr Campbell was ignored throughout the exchange. He cleared his throat and said, " You are fine now, but you would need a more comprehensive check up next week. Please do make an appointment with my assistant." Aryan thanked Dr Campbell as he walked him out of the apartment.

Maya was just getting out of bed and walked into the hall when Aryan started his lecture, " DO you want me to tell Mama and Papa what happened? I didn't even tell Ash as I know he can't keep it to himself. Why are you so careless with your health? What would have happened if I was not here at the exact moment you fainted? Why are you living such an isolated life? Come home and be with us. You never needed to work anyways. You have us." pleaded Aryan with concern.

Well he would have found me, thought Maya to herself. She was overjoyed her brother was here but he was too overprotective as usual. He never understood why she always fought to be independent. Maya was someone who wanted to be recognised as an equally important person in the Manick family. She didn't want to sponge off her parents or her brothers. Hence why she chose the hard road and the isolation that came with it.

" I know. Thank you Aryan. Let's go out. I will buy you lunch. Don't worry I promise to take care of myself," swore Maya as she led Aryan out of the apartment. Aryan and Maya went to a sushi restaurant nearby. She ordered both their favourite dishes. " So why are you here brother? I know you're super busy," queried Maya.

" I am just here to check on you and our bank in Hamburg," stated Aryan nonchalantly. " How is everyone back home? How's Anya?" questioned Maya. " She is growing cuter everyday," smiled Aryan. Looks like everyone is hung up on their Princess Anya.

Both the siblings had a nice meal together as they chatted about everything and anything. As they entered the apartment building, Maya slowed down as she saw the person standing in front of the lift. It was him, it seemed like weeks since she saw him, but it had only been a day. He looked unwell and haggard.

As Maya was observing him, Aryan walked up to him and thanked him. Maya was stunned. Why did he thank him? she thought. Aryan saw the puzzled look she had and explained, " He was the one who found you and was about the call an ambulance as I was coming up your building. He saw you faint and caught you before you hit the ground." " You helped me?" she questioned. " Mmmm," answered Lucas.

As she stood in the lift she contemplated her situation, she felt her anger evaporate a little. She was still lost in thought as she walked out of the lift behind both of them. As they reached the door, Aryan walked in. Maya stayed back. She looked at Lucas and said, " Are you sick? Why do you look bad?" Lucas looked up at her and smiled a little, " I am fine, don't worry about me. It's just the flu. How are you? Do you faint often?" he enquired seriously. " Do take care. I am fine. Thank you by the way. I have dizzy spells but I have never fainted so far," she replied.

As Maya prepared for work the next day, she remembered that Lucas had a flu so she thought of getting him a chicken soup as a thank you. She knocked on his door and walked in with the chicken soup in hand. " Here is some chicken soup for you, do take it when it's hot," she advised as she left it in front of him and walked out. " Thank you," said the beaming Lucas. She cares about me, he thought to himself.

He finished the soup immediately and felt much better. He was certain it was because of the person who brought the soup rather than the soup itself. Maya had to go back into his office again as she needed his approval for the next project.

" You look much better now," observed Maya as she handed the documents. " They say that if the person you love brings you soup, it can cure anything," flirted Lucas cheekily. Maya just rolled her eyes at his cheesy lines. Lucas was ecstatic that she didn't get angry and shout at him like before. Progress, he thought to himself.

" Go out with me," declared Lucas. " No I don't want to," stated Maya. " I deserve a chance to explain my side of the story. I know what you saw but I still should be able to prove my innocence," he continued. " I know you were innocent in that situation," plainly she said. " Then why did you leave me and walk away?!" exclaimed Lucas as he stood up. " It just proved that we don't know each other," she rebutted. " I don't know you? I know every nook and crook of you. I remember being very experienced in knowing you," stated Lucas with an undertone as he walked towards her. " I am not talking about that! I am talking about us individually. Our character and personality," said Maya as she was being forced into a corner by him.

" I love you. I am pretty sure you love me too. I lost you once and I am not going to go through that again," promised Lucas as he caged her against the wall. Maya's heart was beating erratically due to the close proximity. She still stood her ground with the scrap of sanity she had. " If you so call loved me why are you cozying up with my cousin? Is cheating on me once not enough?" questioned Maya angrily as she folded her arms against her chest and looked away.

Lucas turned her chin towards him. He smiled cunningly, " Someone is jealous I see. I never cheated on you. That was an accident and you know it. I fired her immediately and she will never be able to work into another tech company for the rest of her life. As for your cousin, I was just being more patient as she was your cousin. You being the operative factor here." Maya just rolled her eyes at him as he laughed and kissed her cheeks. " I am not falling for this again. I am tired of being taken for a ride. You want me to believe that you actually love me then prove it. Only when I am certain of your intentions will I decide on our future," she declared vehemently.

" Me tracking you around the globe, arguing with my family, moving halfway around the world, investing in unknown companies and facing losses worth millions has not proved my love for you?" he asked her earnestly. " Nope. I am not moved by business tactics. I expect feelings and emotions," she replied. " Feelings and emotions eh? Is this enough?" asked Lucas as he pulled her into his arms and kissed her passionately. It was as if he was declaring his love and the hurt he felt when she left through the kiss. Maya was stunned for a moment then she was immersed in the kiss as she felt him hugging her closer and melting her into his arms.

" I love you and this few months without you have been driving me insane. I couldn't live. Life felt empty. I know you think I don't know you, don't worry I am planning on using this lifetime to get to know all of you. I not only want you in my life I need you. I am willing to go against anyone in this world to be able to have you. I have spoken to your family and your parents have given me their approval. Be with me Maya," solemnly declared Lucas as he looked into her eyes.

Maya was speechless.