Maya, Clara, Sandra, and Gabrielle sat around the dining table, enjoying dinner together. Since Clara's marriage, it had become increasingly difficult for the four friends to find time for themselves, so they had decided to spend the evening catching up.
Gabrielle leaned back in her chair with a teasing smile.
"So, how's life now, married woman?"
Clara laughed softly. "Good... and exhausting. Especially with all the moving and settling in."
Sandra raised an eyebrow. "Hmm. But your husband still has that gambling problem. Aren't you worried it might affect your marriage?"
Clara sighed before shaking her head. "Not anymore. Lord Skender has helped us tremendously, and he promised to change. In fact, I put myself in charge of our finances in case he ever feels tempted to return to his old ways."
"That's a good idea," Gabrielle said approvingly. "Lord Skender is a good man. Duncan comes from a good family, too."
Sandra immediately looked at Maya.
"Speaking of Duncan... how's the Duke?"
Maya smiled faintly. "He's fine."
Sandra's eyes narrowed playfully. "Really? I think you like him."
"Oh, come on." Maya laughed. "Don't start."
"Then why are you smiling?"
Maya rolled her eyes. "He's respectful, I'll give him that. But there's still something strange about him."
The three women exchanged curious glances.
"Strange how?" Gabrielle asked.
Maya sighed and told them everything-the dinner, the way Nathaniel constantly watched her, the gifts, the private garden, and especially the manor he had shown her.
By the time she finished, the three women burst into laughter.
"Oh my goodness!" Sandra struggled to catch her breath. "You mean he stared at you throughout the entire dinner?"
Maya nodded, her cheeks warming with embarrassment.
"He did."
Clara smiled. "Maya, he likes you."
"Exactly," Gabrielle agreed. "And honestly, you should leave Lord Duncan alone and give Nathaniel a chance."
Maya looked at her, "That's easy for you to say."
Gabrielle shrugged. "I'm only saying what everyone else can already see. Even at the wedding, when Duke Nathaniel hurt his hand, you barely noticed because you were too busy watching Duncan. He looked disappointed."
Maya's expression changed, she hadn't thought about that.
Her attention had been so focused on Duncan that she had completely forgotten Nathaniel.
"Oh my..." She covered her mouth. "I actually forgot."
"You see?" Gabrielle pointed at her. "Next time, ask him how his hand is."
"Yes," Clara added. "At least show some concern."
Maya sighed. "Fine. I will."
Sandra smiled knowingly, "So you finally like the Duke."
"I don't," Maya insisted. "But... I enjoy his company."
Sandra and Gabrielle exchanged a knowing glance. They both knew exactly what Sandra was about to say.
"Hmm. I still prefer Lord Duncan. Besides, if you marry the Duke, we'll probably never see you again."
"Sandra, enough," Clara warned.
"If Lord Duncan were going to marry Maya, he would have done it by now," Gabrielle added.
Sandra rolled her eyes. "I'm just saying what's on my mind. Don't bite me."
The three women turned toward Maya, for several seconds, she said nothing. Then she lowered her gaze and smiled faintly.
"I think..." she began slowly, "I'll follow my heart."
---
Later that morning, Maya dressed carefully before leaving for the guest house where Nathaniel was staying temporarily.
The building was smaller than most mansion, but it was beautifully decorated. Deep brown furnishings contrasted with milky-white walls, while elegant vases stood in the corners and delicate paintings decorated the halls.
Maya knocked.
"Come in," a familiar voice called.
She opened the door and stepped inside.
Then she stopped.
Nathaniel stood near the far side of the room with a towel hanging loosely around his neck. His dark hair was still damp from his bath, and tiny droplets of water clung to his skin. He wore only a pair of dark trousers, leaving his broad shoulders and defined upper body exposed.
Maya's eyes widened, she hadn't expected that. For several seconds, she simply stared.
It wasn't the first time she had seen a man's body, but something about seeing Nathaniel like this made her suddenly forget why she had come.
Nathaniel noticed, a slow smile appeared on his face.
"Hmm..."
Maya blinked.
"Do you like what you see?"
Her face immediately warmed. "I-"
She quickly looked away, trying to regain her composure.
"Good morning, Your Grace."
Nathaniel chuckled. "Good morning, Mrs. Clifford."
Maya's head snapped back toward him, "Mrs. Clifford?"
"Don't you like it?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.
The name echoed in her mind.
Mrs. Clifford.
For some strange reason, it didn't sound as unpleasant as she expected.
A small smile escaped her lips.
"Yes... It's nice."
Nathaniel's smile widened, "Then it's settled. Mrs. Maya Clifford."
He clapped his hands together lightly, clearly pleased with himself.
Maya shook her head, but her eyes betrayed her as they wandered back toward his shoulders.
His broad frame.
His sculpted arms.
The faint lines of his abdomen.
She quickly looked away, unfortunately, Nathaniel had already noticed, his smile deepened. He slowly approached her.
Maya remained where she stood until he stopped directly in front of her.
He leaned slightly closer and inhaled softly. "Hmm."
Maya frowned, "What?"
"You smell nice."
Before she could respond, his voice dropped lower.
"You'll smell even better when you're with me."
Maya's heart skipped. "Nathaniel..."
He reached for her waist and gently pulled her closer.
The sudden movement caught her completely off guard.
She was considerably shorter than him, and when he drew her against him, her face came dangerously close to his chest.
She could smell the soap lingering on his skin.
Nathaniel looked down at her, neither of them spoke.
He slowly reached up and tucked a loose strand of her hair behind her ear. His fingers lingered for a moment before he gently released the clip holding the rest of her hair together.
Her dark hair fell freely over her shoulders.
Nathaniel stared at her.
"You look beautiful with your hair down."
His voice was quiet, almost intoxicating.
Maya swallowed, she didn't know what to say.
She slowly looked up and found herself trapped beneath his piercing green eyes.
Nathaniel's gaze dropped to her lips, then, slowly, he raised his hand. His fingers lightly traced the outline of her lips.
Maya's breath caught.
"I've always wondered..." His voice lowered further. "What they would taste like."
Her heart hammered against her chest.
Nathaniel leaned closer.
Their faces were only inches apart, Maya could feel his breath against her skin.
Their lips were almost touching when-
Crash!
Maya accidentally knocked against a decorative vase.
It fell to the floor and shattered.
She jumped in surprise, and her sudden movement caused her to lose her balance.
Nathaniel caught her before she could fall, for a moment, she remained in his arms, her heart racing.
Nathaniel looked down at her with an amused smile. "You can't fall, my Duchess."
Maya stared at him.
"For this Duke will always be right by your side."
The words melted something inside her, before she could respond, a voice came from outside.
"Miss Maya? Are you alright? I'm about to come in."
Maya's eyes widened.
The watchman.
She quickly pulled herself away from Nathaniel.
"I'm fine!"
Before she could say anything else, the door opened.
The watchman stepped inside and immediately looked around.
"Miss, I heard a noise. I assumed something had happened."
Maya's face burned, she quickly pointed toward the broken vase.
"It's nothing. The vase just fell."
The watchman looked at the shattered pieces before glancing around the room suspiciously.
"I see."
He bowed.
"Forgive me for disturbing you. I'll leave."
The moment the door closed behind him, Maya released a breath she hadn't realised she was holding.
Nathaniel disappeared briefly into the adjoining room, when he returned, he was wearing a shirt.
"That was close," he muttered.
"Very," Maya replied.
They exchanged a brief look.
Maya could still feel the warmth of his hands around her waist. She quickly looked away.
Nathaniel, however, seemed completely relaxed.
Then his expression brightened.
"By the way, my younger sister is coming to Valtheris."
Maya looked at him. "Really?"
"Yes. She would like to meet you."
A genuine smile appeared on Maya's face. "I'd like that."
"Good." Nathaniel smiled. "Then you should prepare yourself."
"For what?"
"My sister has a very curious personality."
Maya laughed softly, "Then I suppose I'll have to impress her."
Nathaniel's eyes gleamed with amusement. "I'm sure you will."
Maya smiled before glancing toward the door.
She suddenly remembered that they were still unmarried and alone in his room. If anyone discovered them together, the rumours would spread through Valtheris before sunset.
"I should leave."
Nathaniel nodded, "Of course."
Maya walked toward the door before stopping briefly, she turned around.
Nathaniel was watching her again, and that familiar smile was on his lips. For some reason, she found herself smiling back.
Then she quickly looked away and left.
As the door closed behind her, Nathaniel remained standing in the middle of the room.
A quiet smile lingered on his face, something was changing.
And perhaps...
Maya was beginning to realise it, too.
*********SOMETHING NEW.
Something new has begun, making me feel brand new. It sounds strange, but somehow... it feels true.
Taking me to places, I never imagined I could pursue, places I once thought impossible—, almost forbidden, almost taboo.
It doesn't happen anytime, yet somehow it leaves me helpless, like working overtime, i think about it at bedtime.
It's expensive, yet costs no dime, arriving quietly, always on time.
So, for the meantime, i'll cherish it day after day, because who knows...
When it comes to an end, it may be the last time.
*************