Chapter 31: Another Gift From Ariana
Maya's POV
"Thank you, Rich, for this marvelous night." I said as he assisted me in getting out of the car.
"You are always welcome, Maya, I am so pleased that I came with you. Now, I can say you are a natural dancer." He spoke, and I looked at him in the eyes, and I can tell Rich is so delighted for me, and how I wish it was him I adore instead of his best friend.
"I better get moving now, it is getting late, and you know my mother, she always waits for me to come home every time I go out with friends." He said, and he smiles at me before he returns to his car and drives away from me. My legs got tired from dancing, and I can feel it as I walked going inside our home. I reach inside our house, and I am so careful not to wake them up.
I have a half-day work on Saturday, but I felt like I am so drained already even before I started working, I tried my best to look energetic even though deep inside me seemed like dying. How could I feel this way? I need to enjoy my life and stop thinking about him. My friends supported me last night to have fun, and right now I am going through like I am losing hope again. Why can't I just forget him, and now I realized the pictures I saw when he attended the Gala were not fake? Of course, I knew it was real, and I know I am just trying to justify Adonis's actions?
I received nothing from him, not even a two-letter word like hi, so all the things we did together were just pulling out of his plans of hurting me again, he never changed, and all he wants is to ruin and hurt me. I realize I can't blame him because he gave me a chance to say no to him, when he said if I will ask him to stop courting me he will do it, but I am such a fool to believe in him once again. I don't perceive if Jake is part of his scheme this time. Maybe they bet for a house and lot. I have been just a subject for his entertainment and fun.
I didn't use the bike he had given me, I put it on the back of the home since I don't want to remind myself that I was the willing victim of his stupid games. I am tired of Adonis Monleon. I don't know when he is going to stop bothering me, and I hope this time it will satisfy him, for I can't take another humiliation once again. I walked in, leading to Hernandez Hacienda with a heavy heart. I felt my sweat dripping as I continue walking, going to the farm. If I used to enjoy watching the beautiful scenery now, it seems like I see nothing.
Jocelyn greeted me, and I tried my best to be enthusiastic about talking with her, and I got so glad when she went to the other side of the field, for I am not in the mood to talk. I should hold myself from feeling this way because my friends have nothing to do with my sadness. They are there to comfort me, and they are always there to back me up every time I feel down. And I want them to cease worrying about my feelings towards the bastard heir.
"Hey! How are you today, Maya?" Rich greeted me the moment I came out from the staff house.
"Hello, Rich, I am fine, and I enjoyed last night, thank you again." I said.
"I am glad you did, I noticed you didn't bring your bike this time, does that mean he is back?" He said.
"No, he is not back, and I don't care if he will come back or not, I hate that bike, Rich and I don't want to ride it again, and can I beg a favor from you?" I sought him, and I can feel my hands are trembling.
"Hey, Maya, relax, don't get so upset with Adonis, okay? Now tell me what is the support you long to ask from me?" He asked.
"Can you keep the bike?" I said and his eyes widened.
"Maya, don't do that, I know Adonis gave that bicycle, so you can have a ride, if what you think was right, then at least you've got a bike." He said smiling at me, and I try my best to control my irritation with Adonis, and Rich has a point, I didn't ask his best friend to give me a bike, so I should take advantage of his gift, I perceive the bike is not enough to take away the pain that I feel inside.
"I am sorry, Rich, I perceive I am not in the position to feel this way, but I can't stop myself from hating him." I declared.
"I understand you, Maya, now can I at least take you home? I don't need you to walk since we are going to attend a party tonight." Rich said, and I almost forgot the party and I hate myself for saying yes to Ariana, I don't want to go to the Monleon Estate especially now that I despise her twin brother again.
"Can I just say I have a fever?" I begged him.
"Maya, Ariana is your best friend, and for how many times you turned down her invitations, and I wish this moment you will not disappoint her." Rich responded.
"How did you learn she requested me to visit her at their mansion?" I inquired.
"Aya, she constantly complains to me, and she even urged me to convince you to visit here, but I always understand that you don't have any time to see her because of your busy schedule, besides, I realize how tired you are every day." He declared, and I smile at him for understanding me in avoiding Ariana's invitation. He takes my hand and pulled me into his pickup truck. I realize he is doing too much for me, and I should appreciate all his efforts.
"Take this, Maya." Rich said after I climbed out of his car as he handed me a paper bag, and my eyes got so big.
"You don't need to give me something, Rich." I responded as I receive the paper bag from his hand.
"I'm sorry, Maya, but that gift comes from Ariana, she came here early and asked me to give you that paper bag. She wanted to see you, yet she does not want to disturb you while you were working." He answered me, then he gets inside the car, but he opens the window and looked at me.
"I will pick you up later, Maya, so you better make ready." He declared, and I nodded at him and wave my hand as he drives away. As I get inside our bedroom, I open the paper bag and I got so excited and happy when I find a light yellow knee-length dress. And I can't stop gaping at myself, it fits on my body perfectly.
"Thank you for this wonderful gift, Ariana, and I love it." I texted Ariana and I say thank you to her, she replied immediately.
"You are always welcome, Maya, and I am so glad you like the dress. Please don't forget to bring extra clothing and swimsuits, for we will have a pool party." She said in her text and I suddenly got so nervous. I don't want to swim at the swimming pool of the Monleon since I need to wear a swimsuit, and I don't have a new bathing suit, and all my swimming attire came from Ariana or Lisa.
"Wow! Nice fit, sister! And I guess Ariana gives this dress to you, for I can tell the brand is so extravagant. But even if you are wearing clothes with an unknown brand, your curve will always prevail over the brand itself." Mary declared the moment she saw me wearing my new clothes, and she looked at the tag label at the back of my new dress, her obsessions with expensive material things makes me wonder why she wants those things.
"Thank you, Mary, I didn't expect Ariana to give me another gift, this is too much." I said to my sister, and she is looking at me with admiration on her face.
"You don't need to worry about it, Maya, she is born rich, so she doesn't care if she will buy you gifts as many as she can, she is happy to give you those gifts, and all you can do is appreciate and be thankful for her generosity.
But I understand my sister. She knows we don't have enough money that is why she never asks for her allowance, but it doesn't stop her from admiring the cars, clothes, perfumes, and bags of the affluent individuals in our place. I know she loves watching celebrities.
She enjoys her chance with the wealthy kids even though she perceives they want her around to be their assistant, she just likes to be with them, while I always evade them. I don't have a choice, but to bring extra clothes, but I plan on putting back my new dress if ever Ariana and my friends will force me to swim. It has been a long while since we had a pool party.
Those memories are still fresh on my mind, as usual, I was gawking at her brother during the entire celebration. And I wish this time Adonis will not come, for I don't know how am I going to react once I am face to face with him. And I can't trust myself. I realize I have a tendency to change my mind the moment I will see Adonis Monleon.
Gifts
-- Gift
received Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone