Chapter 12- The Gala , Then The Divorce Larry's POV I hadn't thought about how much my actions must have hurt her . Right ! I never told her I love her , because I don't know myself if I do , but she was wrong if she thinks I don't want her . No , I do . Sometimes , I want to claim every inch of her . I wanted to walk out , but Brandy walked in , preventing me , But then I wondered why it looked like she had been here all along , but just walking in because she doesn't want me to go after Maya She got me all wet , Larry , Brandy said , looking at her dress . I attempted to walk out , but she blocked the way . " I'm sorry , Brandy . You should get changed " I told her , then shoved her gently away from my path But then she held me , her gaze fixed on the papers on the floor . " Are those divorce papers ? You guys will be separating ? Her face was cladded with concern , but as genuinely as it was supposed to seem , it didn't look like it . I gently got her hands off me . " Brandy , none of this is not your fault , you should never think that I told her , then hurriedly left the room . I knew where Maya would be . I walked to the garden and there she was , standing , on the phone with someone . I wanted to walk to her tell her we had a lot to talk about . I wanted to make it clear to her that I won't be divorcing her , but I was forced to stop when I heard her sobbing over the phone " He doesn't want me " Whoever that person was , they were talking about me , about what had happened seconds earlier . Does Maya have friends ? I've never seen her with one . I was curious about who the person on the other line was , but there was no way I could get to find that out " I know it wasn't supposed to happen , but I gave it my all . I tried to be the best for him " she said and I clenched my fist . She really did try to be the best , but it looked like I had let her down . " I fell in love with him , but you know what ? He doesn't want me . He won't choose me . He'd rather choose someone else over me " she said . My heart started thudding , lips parting , but no words came . Maya was in 1 love with me She just admitted that But 17 1 hadn't noticed that , I hadn't given her enough attention when she's hurting because of me 1/3 +25 BONUS I stepped closer . " I don't know " Her voice was coming in cracked tones , her sobs making it unable for her words to flow freely . " Maya , " I called , and she turned startled Her legs tripped and she went falling down the pool My eyes widened , and so did hers . I tried to grab her arm , but was able to grab her phone instead . " Shit ! " I cursed under my breath , dropping the e phone to the ground . We don't know everything about each other , but during our three years of life together , I found out that she couldn't swim She had never even tried to learn . I jumped into the water , trying to find her . It was just an indoor pool , but it was wide , stretched and big . Then I found her , eyes closed , hands flailed I grabbed her , swimming out of the pool with her in my hands . I got her out and placed her on the floor " Maya , " I called , wanting to press on her chest and then her eyes opened , as she coughed out some water . I breathed out in relief " Are you okay ? " I asked her , but the way she looked at me told me she doesn't want to see me , but hell ! She won't have that , because I won't be leaving if we don't have a discussion She stood up and I followed suit " Why are you here ? " she asked , her eyes devoid of emotions "Go get changed , don't catch a cold , we will talk when you do I told her , realizing I care more about her than I care about us getting divorced " Say whatever it is , Larry . I don't have time for you " she said , and my heart ached . A realization that she had started to cut me off " Okay then , " my voice came in a mutter . " And please don't say it if you are here to tell me we're not getting divorced " she said , her eyes looking everywhere but me It was like she was reading my mind , because I was going to say that . I swallowed hard , my gaze hardening " I am not here to tell you to stay , Maya , " I told her . " If you want to leave , then you can . I will gladly sign the divorce papers " ! sald Heavens ! I was acting tough , saying the opposite of what I meant but I kept going like that " I'm glad you are willing to let me go , Larry " she said , but I didn't miss the pain in her eyes when she said that . The agony in her voice . " Of course , I have no reason to hold onto you , " I told her . The fact that I don't want to lose her and I don't want to let her go was what I didn't tell her .. +25 BONUS She chuckled bitterly . " There's a gala party this weekend , Maya . After that , then we can sign the papers " I told her . I didn't know why , but I was stalling for time . I just couldn't picture a world without her , at least not yet . " What gala party ? " Her gaze darkened I stepped closer , " At least , you should be able to wait till then if you want to leave here without staining my reputation " I told - her , lifting my gaze to meet hers . The way she glared was supposed to send shivers down my spine , but honestly , I liked her defiant look " Very well then , " Maya stepped backward , breathing hard . " The gala , then the divorce " She said . " My heart skipped a beat , thoughts of what would become of us after the weekend clawing at me .