CELEBRATION CHAPTER 34- CELEBRATION MAYA I wore the outfit Marvin left on my bed , feeling ridiculous about this entire situation . He's throwing a party to celebrate the downfall of Larry and I think this is too much . I hate Larry as much as he does , but this doesn't just make any sense at all and it's the fact that he sees nothing wrong with everything that he's doing and there's no way I can convince him otherwise . I took a deep breath , mustering enough courage to go downstairs . I slowly made my way down the stairs and was surprised by the amount of guests around . He mentioned that it was just a small celebratory gathering but these guests definitely aren't small . They should be at least up to thirty and to think he'd only invite just ten people . Of course , he won't . It's Marvin after all . " You're finally here . " Marvin excused himself from his guests and walked over to me . " Whar took you so long ? The guests have already been asking you ? " I rolled my eyes at his statement . " Well , pardon me for being late to your impromptu gathering . " He looked at me with a stern expression on his face . " Don't barter with that attitude , Maya . You should be happy that I'm doing this for you . " I scoffed . " I never asked for any of this . Don't you think you're taking things a little too fat by doing all of these . Don't think there's another way to do it ? We could just pop a bottle of champagne or something ? Just the two of us . " He looked at me like I had grown two heads . " No , we cannot . Larry needs to learn his lesson and this is just the beginning . " My lips parted to say something but I shut it immediately because a waiter approached us . " Sir , it's time for your toast , " he informed Marvin . Marvin nodded and turned to leave , but I held his hand quickly before he was able too . " You should really think about this , Marvin . There's no need to go this far . " He quietly removed my hand from his , with a smile still plastered on his face . " Don't make a scene , " he warned me . I moved back a little , feeling words catching in my throat . There was no convincing Marvin about this and although , I was happy to see Larry fall and get back at him . I don't know why it made me feel uneasy . Marvin hit his glass with a spoon , gathering everyone's attention . " Now that I have your attention . I have something to say , it's just a little speech . " I rolled my eyes , knowing that his little speech was going to be anything but little . He cleared his throat . " For a long time , I have been behind the scenes , lurking from the shadows but that ends here because I'm ready to go far and beyond for my family . And today- I celebrate another win . This is what happens when you mess with me and my family . " Everyone started clapping after Marvin finished his speech . People were smiling , laughing , cheering like this was the best night of their lives . Some even raised their glasses and shouted his name like he was some hero . I tried to smile . I really did . But my smile felt fake . My chest felt tight . Something about this just didn't feel right at all . 1/2 CELEBRATION +25 BONUS Why did it feel like we crossed a line ? Larry did me wrong . He broke and hurt me . So why am I not happy seeing him lose everything ? Why does this feel ... too much ? I clapped slowly like everyone else , but my eyes were on Marvin . He was enjoying every bit of it . He looked proud liike this was all some big game to him and he just won the jackpot . I needed air . I needed to breathe before I choked on this fake celebration . I quietly slipped away from the crowd and walked outside . The cold night breeze hit me and I closed my eyes for a second , trying to calm my racing heart . Why am I feeling like this ? Why does this bother me ? I wrapped my arms around myself and stared at the stars , wishing I could disappear into the night and not deal with any of this . Then I heard footsteps behind me . " Why are you out here ? " Marvin's voice broke the silence . I didn't turn around at first . " I just needed some air , " I said softly . He walked closer until he was standing right beside me . " Air ? You should be inside , celebrating with me . This is your victory as much as mine . " I shook my head . " No , Marvin . This is not my victory . This ... this feels wrong . " He frowned , confused . " Wrong ? How is it wrong , Maya ? That bastard hurt you . He ruined you . He left you broken . Now he knows how it feels . He deserved this . " I turned to face him , my voice trembling . " I know he hurt me . I know what he did . But this- " I gestured toward the house , the noise , the laughter , the music . " This is not justice . This is too much . A party ? A speech ? People laughing at him ? Marvin , this isn't who I am . " His eyes hardened . " So what are you saying ? That I'm wrong for standing up for you ? That I'm wrong for making sure no one messes with you again ? " " That's not what I'm saying , " I whispered . " I just ... I don't want this to go too far . " He narrowed his eyes , studying me like he could see straight into my soul . Then he tilted his head slightly . " Don't tell me you're feeling sorry for him . " My heart skipped a beat . " What ? No ! Of course not ! " I laughed nervously , but even I could hear how fake it sounded . " You're lying , " Marvin said softly , almost like he was reading my mind . " I'm not , " I replied quickly . " I hate him for what he did to me . I'll never forgive him . I just ... I just don't want to lose myself in all this revenge . That's all . " He stepped closer and placed his hands on my shoulders . His grip was firm , almost too firm . " Listen to me , Maya . You're not losing yourself . You're winning . We are winning . And as long as I'm here , no one will ever hurt you again . " Before I could respond , he pulled me into a hug . His arms wrapped tightly around me , and I stood there frozen . He smelled like expensive cologne and power . His words sounded sweet , like a promise . But deep inside me ... it didn't feel like comfort . It felt like chains . And for some reason , I felt more uneasy than safe . 2/2 BROKEN TRUSTS BROKEN TRUSTS