Despised at First Sight — Chapter 21 – WHERE IS MAYA

Even though Tom said he was going to pick us, I was secretly hoping Mark will come as he had promised. I longed for his calls, and kept checking my phone literally every minute for even a text message but to no avail. I thought to myself what I did to deserve this treatment from him. Didn't he promise to come take me to the party? My mind was filled with all the negatives but I still tried to stay calm.

"You look stunning Maya, all eyes are going to be on you again, Tracy teased, pulling me from my thoughts. But you look sad, she continued. Hey, we are going for a party and not a funeral remember? What's with this sad face?" You know what, I know that Mark will come over. I think he is planning a surprise for you. She said pouting, when she noticed I wasn't talking.

I hope so, Tracy. I really do. I just have. I paused when she run off instantly.

"I will get it".Tracy yelled as she headed for the door.

I didn't even hear the knock. God, I think I have been in such a deep thought.

"Tom, You look great", I heard Tracy's compliment.

"And so do you, Tracy" I heard Tom respond.

"Just wait till you see Maya. She looks stunning she said walking towards me. Tom stared at me with both admiration and sadness in his eyes.

"Tracy is right. You look stunning but you are so sad" he said worriedly. I hope we will have an end to this whole drama tonight." He said looking away. I felt he was hiding something so I decided to find out.

What did he tell you? Don't lie to me Tom, I asked with expectation.

"We should get going or we shall be late." He said ignoring my question and I couldn't miss the guilty look on his face.

He is definitely hiding something I thought to myself but it doesn't seem like he wants to talk about it and I was bound to make him do so.

Third Person's POV

Maya determined to get the words out of Tom but he was a hard nut to crack. He wasn't giving in to any of her pressure. It was not easy ignoring her but he had to. Mark had warned him to stay away from their problems. He couldn't tell her that. He had to wait for whatever surprise Mark had. Maya didn't stop showing her sadness and anger. She even rejected Tom's gesture of holding the door for her to sit in the car and ignored him through out the journey.

The drive to Mark's father's mansion was awkwardly silent. Even when they arrived, Maya refused to allow Tom to be by her side. She only allowed Tracy to be with her, making Tom even more sad. He hated to see her in this condition but he also couldn't do anything about it.

She was too sad and angry to even notice all the glamour surrounding her and even the people around. She will only respond when she is called and only wave when she is waved at. Her behavior made Tracy embarrassed but she didn't complain. She was her best friend and she wanted her to be happy.

She did all she could to cheer up her best friend but but it all went unnoticed. Maya felt someone tap her on the shoulder and she turned abruptly hoping it was Mark but again, she was disappointed but only this time, it was also somebody she needed to talk to so she was glad.

"Jude' she said excitedly with genuine smile as she quickly hugged him ignoring the dagger stares from his wife. She knows she has never liked her so it was nothing new.

"I think we should talk," Jude whispered in her ear after she introduced Tracy.

"Honey, didn't you say you were going to introduce me to some of your business associates? I think now is a good time" she said pulling Jude away from Maya.

Yeah, you guessed right. It's his wife Sarah. Jude had no choice. He had to go with her. He walked away, signaling Maya that they were going to talk later.

Maya couldn't help but feel more disappointed and sad. Finally, it looked like Sarah, Jude's wife was engaged in conversation with a few friends she had just made. So Jude had a chance to speak with Maya.

Maya was was looking around eagerly as if looking for something and got startled when Jude called her.

"Are you all right? It's as if you were looking for someone" Jude remarked.

"Good evening, ladies and gentlemen, the MC interrupted. We all know the reason we are here. But just in case you don't, we are here to witness the engagement ceremony between our own Mark Snowman and Tilda Shaw." The speaker announced excitedly.

The hall filled with applause from everyone present. Well except Maya, Tom and Tracy. Even Jude was so excited and wouldn't stop clapping.

Maya instantly turned pale as the speaker continued. So I will like to invite the couples now. As the speaker kept talking, the sound of his voice seemed as if coming from far away in Maya's ears. Her vision was becoming blur. But she was sure she saw clearly, Mark coming walking to the stage smiling wholeheartedly and holding Tilda's waist. They looked like a perfect couple. Nothing seemed to be a worry to them.

"Thank you all for coming, Mark spoke into the microphone. We are happy to have you all here tonight to witness our engagement. As you all know, we have been together for some time now and have decided to take our relationship to the next level".

There and then, he went down on one knee.

"Miss Tilda Shaw, will you marry me?" He said loving to Tilda who looked like a goddess. She looked perfect. Nothing showed she had even been to the hospital yesterday.

Without any hesitation, she accepted and Mark slipped the ring on her finger. Standing up, he gave her a quick kiss before his eyes met with Maya. He showed no remorse. He just continued talking as if it was the first time he had seen her.

Maya was devastated. Is this what he wanted her to see when he invited her? How cruel, she thought to herself. She thought she had seen a enough.

She tried to control her tears but it fell freely down her cheeks and she made no attempt to wipe them. Her knees began to shake as she shivered. Her heart was beating fast as if she was running a marathon. Nobody noticed what was going on with her. Jude had given his full attention to what was going on in front of him. Tracy and Tom who knew about their relationship stood frozen with choke.

No one noticed when Maya went out because she could not hold her tears. Her knees could not hold her any longer and she collapsed in the garden where she went to cry her heart out and get some fresh air. Everyone was in doors and no one noticed she was in the garden.

Tracy recovers from her choke and begins to look for Maya. Mark follows her recovering from his own bit of shock. Tracy finds Jude and taps on his shoulder to get his attention. Jude who was listening to the speech and hadn't notice Maya leaving his side until Tracy asked him.

"Excuse me, Jude. I'm looking for Maya have you seen her?...Tracy asked with both worry and panic.

"Yes she is h-. He paused pointing to where she stood before the speaker began. I mean, she was here. I don't know when she left and to where. She didn't tell me." He replied confused.

Okay. Thanks, I'll go look for her. Tracy said not hiding her worry. Tom follows her with an alarmed look which made Jude concerned.

"Wait is there something wrong? He asks with great concern".

"We don't know yet but let's find her ". Tom said as he hurries through the door.