Xavier wasn't surprised as Maya grabbed a bottle from the fridge, poured herself water, and left the kitchen without acknowledging his presence.
She'd been acing the silent treatment game for the past two weeks regardless of how many times Xavier had apologized.
He'd not offended her that was her mantra yet she wouldn't even look at him.
He groaned remembering that Melissa wasn't also taking his call and Maya had almost left his house that night after Melissa had gone.
It'd taken the intervention of both her friends and Alex for her to decide to take out her anger on keeping to herself and just staying in her room.
He doubted that the ruin he'd caused that night could be fixed and to think Maya was watching out for him yet he'd ended up lashing at her verbally.
He winced remembering the choice of words he'd used on her even though it was disrespectful.
He closed his eyes, massaging his temple, Was Melissa, right? Was he turning into the man he hated with everything in him?
He cursed not believing he was allowing Melissa's word when she was angry get to him. But then, he reasoned he was also quite the player, and what was the guarantee that getting married will change him?
Besides, wasn't it what all men think that they'll change when they get married and ended up being scums to their wives and spending all their lives pacifying her with expensive shiny gifts to make up for their infidelity and their guilt-ridden conscience.
But that has been for men who had a conscience, his father hadn't had even a little of guilt and shame.
He had abused their mother, physically, emotionally, and psychologically. How could Melissa call him a rapist? He heaved, rubbing his hand with his face. He had never harbored even a thought to ever take advantage of any woman.
To take what he wasn't offered from a woman was something he couldn't see himself doing yet, Melissa had told him he was a spitting image of what he hated.
Then he remembered Maya's eyes when he had called her a liar right in front of a stranger Bryan and Melissa.
He groaned and then flung the mug he was holding across the wall and then with agitated steps he grabbed his keys, already telling his driver to take a break.
He ran out of the house like a coward tired of staying in a space that reminded him of how he had managed to ruin everything in just one night.
Being friends with Maya regardless of how painful the realization that he couldn't have her was better than this cold wall she puts up since that night he doubts he could break through.
Melissa his little sister wanted nothing to do with him and Bryan, the devil's spawn that has been the cause of the whole trouble couldn't even be of help to get to Melissa even after he had apologized.
He raked his hand through his hair, feeling tired, lonely, and looking the part too he bet.
***
Maya heard the commotion in the kitchen which alarmed her.
She didn't stand up, still sipping her coffee not wanting to give Xavier the impression she cared but the truth was that she did care.
Inasmuch she wanted him to learn that she won't take him talking down to him like that, Boss or not. Watching him have sleeping bags under his eyes and beat himself over and over again because of all that had happened that day was getting painful to watch and she had to stop herself from reaching out.
She knew that the guilt he felt had everything to do with what Melissa had bitterly said even though the both of them knew Xavier was and could never be Mr. Dominic. The two men were like chalk and cheese.
She wanted to shake him and call him a fool for even believing he looked anything like that disgusting man.
Deciding that she couldn't just sit inside and pretend like she wasn't curious to know what had caused that noise, she swung her leg from the bed, and wearing her flip flops she rushed towards the kitchen.
Mr. Gerald the chef was packing away shards of glasses while muttering something to Ma Judith, the new help about the boss being troubled which provoked him to throw things around.
The help stared wide-eyed at Gerald who furthermore stated that they've gotten used to him throwing objects and destroying things around him when distraught.
"But he has changed ever since Ma Maya came in," he said wondering why the tantrum has begun again.
Immediately they noticed that Maya was beside them during their whole conversation, they recoiled in fear, pretending like they were neck-deep in chores they left the kitchen avoiding her gaze.
Maya stared into space trying to put together the little information she have heard together and make sense of it.
But one thing was sure at the end of the day she couldn't leave him with the dangerous and errored thought that he was his father. Yes, the way he'd spoken to her had hurt her feelings especially since she'd thought they were beginning to form a bond, friendship.
And he had also gone too far when it came to being protective about his sister, but he was just being a big brother and a man should never be faulted for loving his sister. Though his reason for being so protective of her was also understandable. He didn't want a man taking advantage of his sister, the way he'd watched his mother being humiliated but he needed to understand that Melissa was an adult old enough to know what she want and didn't want.
Yes, she just might be making up excuses for him but she had told him she wanted to be friends with him and good friends fix things for their friend and she was going to be doing just that.
"Even though he doesn't deserve it," she finalized.