Becoming Strangers Again by Lily

MAYA

I am incredibly proud of how everything is happening in my life right now g. Ryan thinks he can pushout just

because that foolish old man didn't includein the will. I'm smarter than him, smarter than all of them, and |

will do whatever it takes to get what | want. My phone suddenly rang, pullingfrom my sleep. | reached for it,

grumbling silently about the interruption. When | saw her non the screen, | couldn't help but roll my eyes.

Even before | answered, | knew what this was about. | swiped to accept the call and stifled a yawn before holding

the phone to my ear. "What do you want?" | asked. "You know exactly what | want," she replied, her voice sharp.

"You remember what you promised me. You know our agreement from when | decided to work for you."

Rolling my eyes in exasperation, | propped myself up into a sitting position, fully aware that this conversation

was about to get heated. "I remember the promise quite clearly," | said with a hint of annoyance in my voice,

"but what | seriously doubt is whether you truly remember the specifics of our agreement."

"What do you mean by that?" she spat back, her tone sharp and defensive.

"It means," | replied slowly, emphasizing each word, "that | promised to give you a share of the money once |

start seeing scash flow from the Williams family. As of now, | haven't received anything, so | fail to

understand why you feel the need to wakeup at this ridiculous hour to remindof this."

"Don't try to play games with me, Maya," she warned.

"lI am not trying to play games with you," | said, dragging out my words, already feeling fatigued by this pointless

call. "If I really wanted to play a fast one on you, | would simply block your number. | know you can't say a word

about what happened because, deep down, you understand that | won't go down without taking you with me."

"I don't have anything to lose "

"Don't givethat crap," | interrupted sharply, my voice rising with frustration. "You have plenty to lose, and

you know it. You have a whole lot riding on this now."

She fell silent, clearly aware that | was speaking the truth. "So when can | expect my pay?" she asked, her tone

shifting slightly as she realized | wasn't budging. "Whenever | get mine," | replied flatly before abruptly

disconnecting the call. "What a fucking nuisance."

In an attempt to shake off the annoyance, | turned to my social media, scrolling mindlessly to keep myself

updated on the latest happenings. However, | didn't expect to stumble upon something shocking: my mother

and | were trending, but not in a good way. For the past two weeks, we had been in the spotlight, but usually it

was for positive reasons. This time, however, the headlines were far from flattering. The posts read:

"Is Maya Really Richard Williams" Illegitimate Daughter? Considering That He Isn't the Only Man Her Mother

SalHad an Affair With? It Seems She Is in the Business of Breaking People's Marriages." Below this headline

were videos and images depicting the homes and marriages my mother had supposedly wrecked. It was an

alarming and damaging portrayal, warning others to "Beware of Nannies Like Salome."

Clicking on the first video, | winced as a woman recounted the story of how my mother had an affair with her

husband. The narrator went on to describe how my mother had attempted to blackmail him for a large sum of

money.

| rolled off the bed and set out in search of my mother.

| found her in the backyard, tending to her garden, blissfully unaware of the storm brewing around us. "Please do

not tellthat your foolish past is about to ruin everything | have worked so hard for!" | yelled from the

doorway.

She paused mid-action, garden fork frozen in her hand as she lifted her head to meet my gaze. "What are you

talking about?" Dropping the fork, she removed her gardening gloves and approached me.

"I'm talking about the fact that you've whored yourself out to any man you see, and now it's all over the news!"

My voice rose as | struggled to contain my anger.

Without warning, she slappedhard across the cheek, the sting of her hand lingering long after the contact.

"Don't speak tolike that, you brat! | am still your mother."

Clearly, she didn't understand the gravity of the situation. | closed the distance between us, my glare hard. "I'm

going to let this go for now," | warned, "but the moment you raise your hand to hitagain, | will make sure to

return the favor." Shocked and hurt by my response-though I honestly didn't care she placed a hand on her chest

in disbelief. "How dare you speak tolike that, Maya? What has cover you?"

"Apparently, you have," | deadpanned. "You failed to givethe kind of life | wanted, and now that | am finally

taking control and creating that life for myself, don't expectto stand by and let your past mistakes ruin it."

"Can you stop with the insults for just a moment and at least tellwhat's going on? | believe there's nothing

we can't solve together if we just talk about it," she pleaded, her tone shifting to one of concern.

| forcefully shoved my hand into my

pocket, retrieving my phone and clicking on the news article that had sparked my outrage. | shoved the screen

into her face, demanding her attention. She gasped as she read the headlines, shock etched on her features.

Disappointed by her lack of a substantive reaction, I scoffed. "Please don't tellthat a gasp is all I'm going to

get from you! | need solutions on how we're going to get out of this mess. People are already calling us names all

over the internet!"

"Calm down," she urged, attempting to defuse the situation. "Getting upset isn't going to help us at all."

She can't be serious. | took a step closer, pointing my index finger at her with a fierce glare. "Don't you for a

moment think that just because you broughtinto this world, | won't toss you under the bus when the tis

right." Her eyes narrowed. "What is that supposed to mean?"

"It means that if | have to sacrifice your public image, or if | need to distance myself from you to clean up this

mess you created, then | absolutely will."

Before she could respond, the doorbell rang. | immediately assumed it was Ryan, here to mock my current

predicament. "I guess | have you to thank for this firsthand embarrassment," | hissed at her before storming off

to answer the door.

But when | opened it, | was surprised to find a total stranger standing on the other side. Not in the mood for any

games or pleasantries, | stared flatly at him, annoyance etched on my face. "What do you want?"

He extended his hand for a handshake, a friendly smile on his face. "Hi, my nis Clover."

| stared at his outstretched hand for

what felt like an eternity before om

shifting my gaze baka his face.

cBiripletdly ignoring the gesture.

" "

How may | help you, Clover?" | asked,

my tone clipped and uninterested.

"I've been following your fight with Ryan Williams on the internet, and | want to be a part of it," he replied, his

enthusiasm almost comical.

This man has to be kidding me. "Who are you again?" | asked, my disbelief evident.

"Clover," he reiterated, as if that meant something to me.

"Right." | drawled out flatly. "What makes you think | need you on my team?"

"Because I'm an enemy of the Williams," he said with a confident smirk.

Great. The one person | got involved

in this mess, aside from my mother,

is already turning into a burden. | had

no intentjon of adgingo my

oROterny by involving someone else.

I" : som :

Go get a life, sir," | gritted out, ready

to slam the door shut. But just as

made my move, he stuck his foot in

the way, effectively stopping the door

from closing completely. The content

is on novelenglish.net! Read the latest

chapter there!

"Get your leg out of the way, or I'm going to smash it," | warned.

"I really want to help," he insisted.

I" q

If you have a vendetta against Ryan

and his family, then handle It glare.

| : 5

Don't drag ie intd Se ere war,

ahd'det off my property before | call

. [1

the police." | shot back. The content

is on novelenglish.net! Read the latest

chapter there!

With that, | closed the door with more force this time. Thankfully, he finally removed his leg just in tto avoid

getting hurt.

I sighed, already starting my day with so much bad energy, and | sincerely hoped it didn't get any worse from

here.