I don't think I've ever seen Maya calmer. Not even when she was with Julie.

I know I shouldn't be in her room. If she knew I was behind her, she would have taken a bat at me.

In my defense, I was knocking. But it was useless since she has headphones on and I can hear the loud music all the way to the door.

She is sitting at the table with her back to me, pencil in hand, drawing something. I don't want to get closer to her as she might notice me and then I would have a problem.

But at least for a while, I can enjoy this view.

Strands of her hair fall from a high bun and she is wearing a large black T-shirt and shorts that are only visible when she is sitting. Her foot lifts up and hits the ground to the beat of the music.

She looks so focused. I'd really like to see what she's drawing, but for now, seeing her like this is enough for me.

Every day I see a different side of Maya and I have to say, I prefer this one to any before. I don't know why.

There is something fascinating about it. In one moment she is calm, lost in her own head in a place where no one can get to her. And in the second, she is able to erupt like a volcano.

All in one person. In little Maya.

Her hand moved to the phone on her left and she lifted it up to see the screen. Maybe check the time, maybe see a message.

She put it back on the desk and put the pencil down. "You still don't know what privacy is." She spoke, which slightly unnerved me. How does she know I'm here? She hasn't even taken off her headphones yet.

The phone. She saw me in the reflection of the screen. Of course.

She turned in her chair and took off her headphones. "You want something?"

"I came to ask what you have planned for today."

"Didn't you look in my diary?" She said sarcastically. "It's Wednesday. Eddie's is closed. I'm off." She turned back to the table and closed the black book she had been drawing in.

"So no plans." I acknowledged.

"Well aren't you smart?" She snorted.

"That and quite a few other things." I shrugged. "There's a series we haven't finished. You going to join me?" I'm not in the mood to go anywhere today. Just sit down, maybe order some food and relax. It's been a crazy few days.

"Why not." She stood up and put the notebook in a drawer before walking over to me. "But I want a beer."

"It's one o'clock in the afternoon." I laughed.

"Is that judgment I hear in your tone?" She curled up and crossed her arms over her breasts.

"I wouldn't dare." I raised my hands in a defensive gesture.

"That's what I thought." She slipped past me and when she was far enough away I laughed softly.



I don't know what's going on, but Acker is not unbearable.

Maybe it's because he doesn't say anything since he's interested in the show, but still.

We ordered some Chinese food and opened a few bottles of beer. He's not a bad drinking buddy either.

Neither of us noticed the time. We watched episode after episode until much later when Acker pointed out that it was almost eleven.

I don't think it's healthy to watch one series for so long, but it was worth it.

"I'm really interested in what the next fourteen series are about." Acker spoke as we finished watching an episode and decided that this was the last one for today.

"If Jensen Ackles is going to be there dancing macarena for five seasons, I'm absolutely fine with that." I reached for a beer from the table and took a sip.

I should finish it and go to sleep. I'm a little buzzed.

"I didn't expect anything else." He laughed and reached for his phone.

"What?" I asked as Acker frowned.

"Nothing, that's the problem." He let out an irritated breath. "Theo can't find whoever is stalking you." It's obvious he's annoyed. I can't figure out why.

"Maybe it's a sign." I shrugged my shoulders.

"And when did I ask for one?" He snorted.

"Or maybe Theo is just incompetent. It's a possibility."

"If you knew what he was doing, you wouldn't say it."

"But that's the thing." I looked at him. "I don't know what he's doing."

"Is that some type of way of getting out of me about his job?" He asked with interest, but I didn't answer him, so he spoke again. "You'll go to the police with what I tell you right now, and Killian won't even care that you're Theo's sister."

I still don't really know who Killian is, but he doesn't sound like someone I'd want to cross paths with.

"It's mostly gathering information so we're three-four steps ahead of everyone whether it's smuggling drugs, weapons, or people. Anything illegal basically. And also getting rid of some evidence."

"You mean people." I myself didn't believe what I was saying.

"Sometimes." He shrugged. "It depends on the situation. Anything else you want to know?"

"No." Yes.

"Are you sure?" He asked as if he knew I still had questions.

"Yes." No.

"Okay then." He placed the empty beer bottle on the table. "Now it's my turn."

I'm sorry, what?

"Why Seattle? Theo said you wanted to get away from your parents, which I understand, but why Seattle?" He frowned trying to read my expression.

I was stunned for a while. Surprised by how quickly it turned on me.

And when I finally managed to focus on the question he asked, I felt an unpleasant feeling in my chest, as if someone was squeezing all my organs.

I didn't choose Seattle. I was glad to get away from my parents, that's all that mattered to me. And after what happened, I couldn't leave. I know he wouldn't want that.

But dead people can no longer want, right?

"I saw an ad on TV and moved here." I put the beer on the table and got up from the couch. "Good night."

*****

It's been over a week since Theo left. Acker was still behind my ass, but I didn't mind since I wasn't really going anywhere. I wasn't in the mood for it.

I went out with Julie a few times, otherwise only to work and home.

I got a few more messages from my stalker, but I didn't open a single one.

I need to be calm for these few days. And he is not exactly helping me.

"Maya." I looked up at Julie who was trying to get my attention.

"Huh?"

"Where are you?" She laughed.

I frowned and looked around the cafe, confused.

"I mean with your head." She took a sip of her coffee.

"Oh. Sorry. It's been a long week." I shrugged my shoulders.

"You know you can talk to me about it right?" She asked cautiously. "Thursday is..."

"I know what Thursday is." I jumped into her speech. "I don't need you to remind me of that."

"I didn't mean..." She stopped and let out a hurt breath.

I know she didn't want to, but I'm in no mood to want to talk about this. Now or any other time.

"I just want you to know that I'm here if you need me." She tried to smile.

"I'm okay." I lied.

"Okay." She knows she doesn't have to discuss it any further. "So how's it going with..." She looked over to the bar where Acker was sitting, flirting with the waitress.

"We don't talk much. He just follows me around like a lost puppy." It's not annoying unless he's standing behind me like my personal bodyguard or worse when he looks like my boyfriend and chases all the guys away.

"So he hasn't let you out of his sight all week?" She raised her eyebrows in surprise.

"Unfortunately, no." I reached for the cookie that was with my coffee and unwrapped it. "I don't understand why he's still doing it." I took a bite. "I've given him two days, but it doesn't look like he's going to stop anytime soon... And you're not listening to me, Julie." I frowned when I noticed her gaze and attention were somewhere behind me.

"Um, maybe we should go." She nodded, slight fear in her eyes. "Like right now."

"Why?" I started to turn, but she caught me.

"Not a good idea."

"Julie." I said in a warning tone.

She let go of me slowly and closed her eyes tightly as if something were about to explode. Or someone. That someone being me. I turned and my eyes fell on a couple by the door.

I snorted and looked back at Julie. I ran my tongue over my front teeth and clenched my fists.

"We should leave, right?" She asked cautiously.

"Why should we?" I said slightly irritated and took a sip of my coffee. "It's only Ray." I said between my teeth. "With a woman holding his hand."

How long would it take for the police to arrive? Surely I could get rid of his body by then, right?

"Okay, we're going." I finally decided and pushed myself away from the table.

"Maya, wait!" Before Julie could finish, I bumped into someone's shoulder.

I wanted to apologize, but when I looked up at the guy I bumped into, it passed me by.

"Maya." He looked at me like a ghost.

"Ray." I didn't even try to smile. Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed that Julie quietly got up and left somewhere. Where is she going! That traitor.

"I didn't think I'd see you here." He laughed nervously.

"It's the nearest coffee shop." And he knows it very well. What is he playing at?

"Sorry, hi, I'm Lana." The woman next to him smiled and held out her hand to me.

I had the opportunity to see her up close. Really curly hair fell over her narrow shoulders and into her flawless face. She had blue eyes and a toned body on which I did not see a single tattoo.

She's not Ray's type, that's for sure, but she's definitely mine.

"Maya." I smiled at her and shook her hand.

She seems like good company, it's not her fault she got involved with someone like Ray. Some guys are good at pretending to get what they want.

"Your tattoos are amazing." She laughed and looked at my hands. "Am I right, Ray?" She looked up at him.

"I made them, so yes." Fucker. "Lana I'm sure Maya has something we should go sit down."

"Why are you in such a hurry?" She frowned.

"Because I don't want to keep her up." A vein appeared on his forehead and I tried not to smile.

"Excuse me, Maya, do you have a minute? I've been thinking about tattoos and you seem like the kind of person who knows about them." She ignored Ray, which warmed my heart. "If not now, we could meet if you're up for it. Me, Ray, you, and if you have someone you can..."

"Maya doesn't have..." He cut in on her, but he too was cut off a second later.

"There you are." An arm appeared around my waist and I looked confused at Acker to my right who was grinning from ear to ear.

What the hell is he doing?

"Do we know each other from somewhere?" He narrowed his eyes at Ray as if trying to remember where he had seen him.

"I don't think so." He answered slightly off. "I'm Ray." He offered his hand to Acker, whose face changed for a moment. Maybe I just imagined it, but jealousy flashed in his eyes for a small moment.

"Sebastian, Maya's boyfriend." I almost swallowed my own tongue and suffocated.

I don't know who was more surprised, Ray or me.

But it was Ray's eyes that were almost on the ground with his chin.

"I...I...I didn't know that..." He gave me a look that literally screamed 'you killed my puppy'.

"She's not the type to shout it out to the world." Acker said for me because I can't get a word out right now and I'm just a little bit enjoying the sight of a hurt Ray. I shouldn't feel so excited, but too bad. "Sebastian." He held out his hand to Lana, who introduced herself and smiled at him.

"You both have such stunning tattoos." She examined his hands.

"Thanks." He laughed. "I made most of them myself." He said proudly.

Acker made his tattoos himself?

"Really?" She looked at him in surprise. "So that's something you have in common." She nudged Ray, who was still looking at me with betrayal in his eyes. "I was talking to Maya about wanting some tattoos. Maybe the four of us could go out sometime? A double date?"

Oh Lana, how oblivious you are. Cute, but oblivious.

"I don't think..." I started, but Acker's grip on my waist tightened which shut me up.

"That's a wonderful idea." He said. "Ray definitely has Maya's number, let him give it to you and we'll make plans."

"Great." She smiled. "Oh, I hope we didn't keep you up."

"No." He waved his hand at it with a laugh. "But we should head out to catch our reservation and get changed first. It was nice meeting you. Lana." He smiled at her. "Ray." So that was quite an unpleasant look he gave him, but Ray probably didn't notice.

"Take care, Lana." I got out before Acker started dragging me away from the cafe. When we were a block away, I stopped. "What the hell was that?" I frowned. "My boyfriend?"

"Don't look at me." He raised his hands in a defensive gesture. "Julie said you needed rescuing."

That little traitor. I will sort it out with her later. We're going to have a really long conversation about borders.

"That was the guy from the photo, wasn't he? And the same guy you were talking about when you were drunk as fuck."

"It doesn't matter. You said yes to a double date! What were you thinking?" I raised my voice at him, which attracted the attention of a few people passing by.

"Do you really think they will last long enough for the double date to happen?" He laughed.

Oh.

"Plus, his expression was unforgettable, don't you think?"

"Do not do it again." That's my way of saying 'thanks for saving me from a situation that would have ended up with me in handcuffs at a police station'.

I turned and started walking away from him.

"You're welcome!" He yelled after me and I tried to hide the small smile that was showing on my lips.

Why am i smiling?

Ugh. It's annoying.

I stopped in the middle of the sidewalk when my cell phone rang and an unknown number appeared on the screen. I answered it without thinking and a woman's voice came from the other end. "Miss Maya Carter?"

"Yes, that's me. How can I help you?" I asked, slightly confused.

"This is the Seattle Police Department..."

Well shit.