I'm pissed. And no, that's not a weak word.

I haven't spoken to Sebastian in two days. Why, you may ask. Well, it's for one simple reason.

He's cheating on me.

And before anyone tells me "Maya, it can't be true, he loves you", I have proof.

I saw him with some woman in town a few days ago, and when I asked him where he was that day, he lied. I know he lied. It also didn't help his case that he carried the smell of a woman's perfume behind him.

I want to hit him, scream at him, maybe even kill him.

How could he do such a thing to me?

I was standing in the bathroom, in our new apartment, which had already been furnished for a few months, and I was looking at myself in the mirror.

You would think I would cry, that I would be devastated.

Well, here's the news, I'm not one to cry in front of the mirror. I'm the one holding back the tears because I have work to do. I don't have time to cry, I'll leave it for later.

Right now I'm waiting for Sebastian to come back so I can get everything out.

How dare he cheat on me? What did I do wrong?

No. I didn't do anything wrong. He did. He screwed up. And he is going to get fucked up.

When I heard the front door open and his voice, I squeezed the sink so hard that my hands were white. "I'm home!"

I bounced off the sink and straightened up. With a deep breath, I stepped out of the bathroom.

I found him in the kitchen, just taking off his jacket. He had a huge smile on his face when he saw me.

Don't worry, it'll be gone in a second you cheating bastard.

"Weren't you supposed to work today?" He walked up to me, put his hand on my hip, and tried to kiss me. I turned my head to the side in time, so his lips missed me. "Not in the mood for kisses, got it." He laughed as if everything was fine. But when he saw that I didn't find it funny at all, his smile dropped and he had a worried look on his face. "Is everything alright, babe?"

I practiced in the mirror what I would say to him. How I would scream at him that he broke my heart, that how could he do that, but I couldn't get a word out. I stood in front of him, my arms crossed over my chest and I was silent.

"Maya, what's going on?" He frowned.

What is going on? What is going on! What is happening is that he is cheating on me. How could he?

I felt in my chest that I was seconds away from collapsing. I felt my heart slowly falling apart the longer I looked at him.

So, rather than him seeing me cry for him, I did what I do best. I hit him.

My hand flew to his face. I put everything into it, so I wasn't surprised that he stumbled and had to hold on to the kitchen counter to keep from falling. He had a surprised expression on his face.

"What the hell Maya?" He immediately grabbed his cheek. "Why did you hit me?"

Without a word, I moved from where I was standing. I didn't even take anything and went straight to the front door. Right now I can't breathe the same air in the room he's in.

"Maya, wait. What's going on?" He ran after me and grabbed my hand.

At the slightest contact, I wanted to take off my skin. He has no right to even touch me. "Don't touch me, Sebastian!" I broke out of his grip. "Don't ever touch me again!" With tears in my eyes, I screamed at him. "Asshole." I shook my head and ran out of the apartment.

I couldn't look at him for a second longer.

I didn't stop until I was in front of Julie's apartment. I was trying to hold back tears the whole way so I wouldn't look like the biggest wreck today in public.

After a while, Julie opened the door, and the smile she had on immediately dropped when she saw my face. "Maya?" She asked with concern in her voice.

"Sebastian is cheating on me." And when I said those five words out loud, they became reality, suddenly I couldn't stop the tears that flew from my eyes.

"Oh, Maya." Julie immediately hugged me and I let the tears fall one after another, uncontrollably.

I don't know how long we stood there and Julie let me cry on her shoulder. But after a while, she pulled away and pulled me to her apartment.

"Maya?" I looked up at Eddie, who was standing in the kitchen with a bowl in his hand.

"Oh." I looked between Eddie and Julie. "I didn't know I'm going to...go." I started to move, but Julie stopped me immediately.

"No. Stay. Eddie was leaving anyway, wasn't he?" She looked at him and gave him a look that said move it.

"Yes, absolutely." He put the bowl on the counter and picked up his jacket from the couch on the way to us. "See you later." He placed a quick kiss on Julie's hair before leaving the apartment.

"Sit down, I'll bring the wine." She pointed to the couch before going into the kitchen.

I was already sitting on the couch when she returned with a bottle of wine and two glasses. She doesn't seem to care that it's only three in the afternoon.

She handed me a full glass before speaking again. "You want to tell me what happened? Why do you think he's cheating on you?"

"I don't think it," I said between sobs. "I know it." I put the untouched glass of wine on the table. "I saw him with a woman. She was absolutely beautiful, exactly his type. When I asked him where he was that day, he lied to me, Julie. And I smelled her on him. I smelled her." I exhaled shakily.

"But why would..." She didn't finish the sentence and exhaled heavily. "I'm sorry Maya. I'm so sorry." She leaned towards me and hugged me tightly.

"Why would he do this to me? If he didn't love me anymore, why didn't he end it, why did he have to..."

"Shh, it's going to be okay." She ran her hand over my back.

It's going to be okay. Of course, she says that when it's not happening to her.

Between all the sobbing and tears, I fell asleep. I wished I didn't wake up again.



I don't know what the fuck happened, but I haven't been this confused in a long time. Maya hit me as if I had killed her puppy and then flew out of our apartment.

I didn't even have time to stop her, and since she didn't take anything, I had no way to call her.

I called Julie but she didn't pick up so I went to her work.

I walked through the bar's front door, but she was nowhere to be seen. Luckily for me, Eddie just came out from the back with his head in some papers. I walked over to him while he was talking to someone.

"Eddie." I stopped by him. "Do you know where Maya is?"

"Just check it. Thanks." He handed the papers to the barmaid, who then left us alone. "Yes." He said...irritably? What's up with everyone today?

And before I knew what was happening, his hand flew to my face. For the second time today, I got hit so much that I almost fell.

"What the hell, Eddie?" I screamed and grabbed my jaw, which I'm surprised didn't fly off. "Why the fuck is everybody hitting me today?" The attention of a few people in the bar stopped at us.

"That should tell you something."

"But why..." I took a deep breath. "What did I do?"

"Shouldn't you know?" And with that, he turned and started walking away from me towards his office at the back of the bar. I followed him.

"Look, just tell me where Maya is. I don't know what happened, but...something obviously did."

"You shouldn't have put your dick where it doesn't belong." He entered his office.

"What the fuck are you talking about?" I frowned. Why does he care about our sexual relationship with Maya? I don't think it's appropriate for her boss to know where I put my cock.

"I don't know the details, but I know enough. You screwed up. Get out before an ambulance will have to take you out of here." He pointed to the door.

"Okay, enough!" My hands hit the wooden table. "What. Is. Going. On." I said between my teeth. If no one starts explaining right away, I'm going to lose it.

Maya left the apartment as if her ass was on fire. She didn't tell me anything except that I will never touch her again. Of course, Maya and I have argued a few times before, but this is new. I've never seen her like this.

She's been a little off the last two days, but I thought that's because she has a lot to do and she's supposed to have her days. Obviously, this is something else.

And whatever it is that's bothering her, she should talk to me about it. That's the key to a relationship, isn't it? Communication? Or do I have it wrong the whole time?

"You cheated on her, you asshole." He narrowed his eyes.

"What the hell are you talking about?" Has he lost his mind? He's probably gone insane in his own office.

"I heard Maya tell Julie that you're cheating on her. Don't play dumb, it's beneath you. Oh wait, it isn't." He said with an emotionless expression on his face. If you want to intimidate someone with just one look, hire Eddie.

"Where did she get from that I'm cheating on her?" I threw up my hands. "I haven't looked at another woman in..." I stopped, suddenly realizing what was probably going on. "You've got to be kidding me." Exhaling heavily, I sat down on the chair and put my head in my hands.

"So you confess?"

"No, of course not." I looked at him with disgust. "I love Maya, why would I do something like that? You know I love her."

"Apparently not enough."

"It's not like that!" I screamed. "I'm not cheating on Maya! She probably saw me with Katie Erickson a few days ago." I clutched my head in despair.

"Wait, Katie Erickson? Isn't she..."

"Yes." I interrupted him. "That's her. And it was supposed to be a surprise for Maya. I have nothing with her. She's married and has a kid for Christ's sake."

"Oh shit."

"Yeah, thanks for the right hook," I said reproachfully.

"Sorry." He closed sourly.

"Shove that up your ass. How could you think I was cheating on Maya?" I frowned. I thought he was my friend and that he knew me. I would never hurt Maya like that.

"In my defense, when Maya arrived, her eyes were full of tears, she looked devastated."

It hurt just to relive it. And if at least it was that she is crying rightly, but she does not understand what is happening at all. It's not what she thinks. And as I know Maya, she's already created a whole secret relationship in her head that she thinks I have. It will not be easy to explain to her that she is wrong.

"Where is she now?" I stood up.

"At Julie's. But I don't think you should go there."

"Don't tell me what to do. I have to see her and explain to her..."

"You know she won't listen to you. Just give her time."

"Sure." I snorted. "I won't give her time to change her mind about the whole relationship with me." I took my phone out of my pocket and dialed a number. After a few beeps, she picked up. "Hey, Katie."

"Hi, Sebastian. What's up?" Her voice came from the other side.

"I know it wasn't planned, but is there any chance we could speed it all up? And I mean, today?" I had a tiny hope in my heart that she would say yes.

"Well, you're in luck. I'm just finishing up the final details. I'm just posting the poster online."

"You're the best, Katie." I exhaled with a smile. "Are you there? Can I come get the keys?"

"Sure thing. Just ring me, when you're here, and I'll come for you."

"Thank you, see ya."

"See you." And she canceled the call.

I took the phone off my ear. "You're helping me." I pointed my finger at Eddie.

"I don't have an option do I?"

"Nope." With that, I left his office and went to prepare everything.

Maya Carter, I love you, but right now you have a problem that won't be so easily forgotten about.



My eyes are red and puffy and I hate it. And the worst thing is that I want to cry again. When did I become so sensitive? I was fine before Sebastian.

I walked out of Julie's bathroom after washing my face. I needed to cool down and get myself together at least a little. Although I probably don't look like it.

When I entered the kitchen, I found Julie on her phone, just ending the call. "Love you too." She smiled and took the phone off her ear.

"Eddie?" It was clear that it was, but I asked anyway.

I'm happy for Eddie and Julie. It looks like they're happy. In the last months since they officially started dating, Julie can't stop smiling. She is happy. It's selfish of me to envy her. She's my friend, I shouldn't.

"Yes." She nodded. "But he wanted to talk to you. About work. I know this is bad timing, but..."

"No no." I interrupted her. "I need some distraction. What does he need?"

"He was supposed to meet with a supplier, but he can't get out of work. He asked if you could meet him." She was clutching her cell phone in her hand.

"Where does he want to meet?" I looked at the clock on the wall. I didn't know that it was possible to meet suppliers this late.

"I'll take you there." She took the car keys.

"As if." I snorted. "You've been drinking. I'm driving." I took the keys from her hands and we left her apartment together.

We got into the car, but Julie didn't tell me where we were going, she only told me where to turn. "Right here and we're there." She looked a little nervous, but I let it go. I have no more energy.

I stopped where Julie showed me, but I didn't see anyone anywhere. "Are you sure we took the right turn?" I once again looked around where we were and that's when I saw that the door on the building on my left started to open.

Thinking that it was one of our suppliers, I started to unbuckle myself. I was already reaching for the door when I noticed that Sebastian was standing at that door.

"Julie." My voice broke and I looked at her. She just quickly took out the keys and hid them behind her back. "What are you doing?"

"I promise you it will be okay."

"After hours of crying in your apartment and saying I never want to see him again...you're going to do this?" I looked at her devastated. "Why would you do this to me?"

"Don't look at me like that. Just go, I swear..."

"Whatever." I shook my head and got out of the car, betrayed. I stood there while Julie moved from the passenger seat to the driver's seat and drove off. The whole time I turned my back to her and faced Sebastian, who had not yet said anything.

I looked at the person in front of me. The person I love and the person who broke my heart.

"Let me explain, Maya." He took a step towards me and I took one back. I wouldn't mind at all if I got hit by a car now.

"I don't want to hear a word from you," I said between my teeth.

"Okay, okay." He raised his hands as if in surrender. "Then at least let me show you." He pointed to the door behind him.

Even though there were huge windows on the building, I couldn't really see inside. Only a small, dim light emanated from within.

What does he want to show me? Does he want to make out with her right in front of me? Right now, I'm not in the grieving phase, but in an aggressive phase. I won't vouch for myself if he tries.

"It's your funeral." I raised my shoulder and walked past him to the building. I opened the door and walked in, Sebastian at my heels.

"This way." He showed me where to go next, so I went. To my surprise, he stayed behind me. That's probably better, otherwise, I would probably kill him from behind with something. We'll see how he likes getting stabbed in the back.

I walked through almost empty corridors. There was some writing on the walls here and there that had something to do with art, but I didn't stop to read them. I want to get out of here as soon as possible.

I entered an open space. The white walls were covered with paintings. One next to the other, on both sides and exactly opposite was the biggest painting here.

I immediately thought that if he came to show me a few paintings and thought that everything would be fine, he is so fucking wrong.

But these were my paintings.

A few months ago I started drawing on canvas instead of my notebook. Sebastian supported me in this. Each week he came up with a blank canvas, always bigger and bigger.

I looked at my paintings on the walls. Paintings that I painted.

There was Julie's face, pictures of nature that I painted from memory, and feelings that I put on the canvases. Everything I've ever finished painting.

And on the wall opposite the door was the biggest one I ever painted.

It was Christian.

He was looking straight at me. Straight to my soul. And for a moment my heart stopped.

"What is this?" I found my voice after a while.

"It was supposed to be a surprise," Sebastian said from behind me. "I wanted to bring you here when it's filled with people in two days."

"These...these are my paintings." Am I even breathing?

"Also a collage of some drawings you had in your notebook. Don't kill me, I had to rip them out. But I'd say it was worth it."

I took a step, followed by another. I went through every single one of the canvases. On each, in the lower region, was my signature. My signature.

With every step, I was sure that this was not reality. It can't be.

Finally, I stopped at the picture with Christian on it. I loved and hated drawing him at the same time.

I wanted to paint him as I remember him. His eyes full of life and a smile that lit up the whole room.

"Eddie told me you thought I was cheating on you." I didn't even dare to look at him. "If you saw me by any chance with a woman, it was Katie Erickson. She owns this building and does exhibitions for various artists."

"Huh." I nodded, tears in my eyes.

"I would never cheat on you, Maya. Never."

Good job, Maya. This time you really screwed up.

Come on Maya, don't be a coward, you have to face him one way or another.

Slowly, really fucking slowly, I turned to face Acker. I opened my mouth to say something, but in vain, I had no words.

Should I apologize or thank him? To say I'm sorry I hit him and that I'm a bitch? That I caused a scene for nothing?

"You're slowly realizing you screwed up, don't you?" There was a hint of humor in his tone. "Well, to make you feel even worse..." He pulled out a box from his pocket.

Oh. My. God.

"Breathe, Maya." He laughed and walked over to me. "I'm not asking you to marry me. At least not yet." He winked at me and opened the box.

My gaze fell on a small, delicate ring. Promise ring was written in cursive on the inside of the box.

"On the inside, there's also an engraving saying..." He picked up the ring and read it aloud. "My heart is yours."

I swallowed hard. Is it too late to walk into the middle of the road and get hit? Yes? Fuck.

"Will it make you feel better if I say it's okay? That I forgive you?" He raised an eyebrow.

I shook my head, regretting all of today's decisions.

"I still love you." He laughed.

"I hit you." I almost whispered.

"It wasn't the first time." He grabbed my hand. "But I won't give you a choice because of that." He put a ring on my left hand and then raised my hand to his lips to kiss it.

"I don't deserve it." I shook my head.

"The thing is..." He let go of my hand and cupped my face in his hands. "That your reaction was spot on. If I had seen you with someone, we would have been burying a body, not standing in a room full of your art." He smiled.

"Acker, I..."

"I love you the most in the world?" He cut me off. "You are the best boyfriend in the whole world? And right now I want to make out with you in a room full of my paintings?" He grabbed my hips and pulled me to him.

"I was going to say I'm sorry because I really am. And all of that too." I laughed and wrapped my arms around his neck, hugging him. "Sorry and...thank you," I murmured into the fabric of his jacket.

"Next time, even though I hope there won't be a next time, talk to me. Don't push me away." He pulled away. "Don't shut me out. That's how it's supposed to work, right?" He placed his right hand on my cheek and I nodded.

"I'm sorry for what happened. I'm sorry that I thought..."

"Maya." He stopped me with a finger on my lips. "I get it. You have nothing to apologize for. Do we understand each other?" He raised an eyebrow.

"Mhm." I nodded again.

"But..." His finger slipped from my lips. "If you really want to apologize, I know how." He had a mischievous smile on his face.

"Oh really?" I smiled. "And what exactly would that be?"

"Let's go home, I'll show you." He lowered his head and connected our lips in a soft kiss. "Get your pretty ass in my car, Mimi." He pulled away.

"Yes sir." I laughed and with one last look at Christian's picture, I started walking towards the entrance of the building.

I only took three steps before I stopped because a hand landed on my ass, harder than normal.

"Acker!" My hand flew up to where he had hit me. "That hurt." I complained.

"Deservedly so." He put his arm around my shoulders. "And that was only the first of the evening."

"It really hurt." I massaged the place where I would have a red print of his hand.

"Don't worry. I'll kiss it better when we get home."

"Promises, promises." I grabbed his hand on my shoulder and pressed myself closer to him. "I love you."

"I know, Maya." He looked at me, his eyes full of love. "I love you too." He gave me a kiss on the forehead and I breathed a sigh of relief.

Tonight didn't turn out the way I thought it would. To be honest, I thought I would be single at the end of the day. But I'm glad I'm not.

But I will have to apologize to Julie. I'll buy her wine or something and put on my best "I'm sorry" smile.

Oh, Acker, you raise my blood pressure like no one else.

But if this isn't love, I don't know what is.



I think I missed this chaotic duo the most. <3