✷MAYA✷
_______________

Tatiana was led into the large hall filled with exquisite people clad in their unique attire. Their chatter filled the air, making the atmosphere lively.

“Idol” Hudson rushed to her, worries filling his gaze. “You alright?” He asked calmly. His black alluring suit marched with the cheerful aura around him.

“Yeah, I’m fine thanks to Mr. King” Tatiana responded, her heart still racing a bit from the harsh encounter outside. What if he hadn’t save her? That would be a mess.

“I’m glad to hear that. I’m so sorry about it, I’ll get to find out the @$$h0le who did that” Hudson assured and she nodded.

“Thanks Mr. Hudson”

“Hudson, just call me Hudson. I’ll take you Cassius” He said and led her from the crowd.

Indigo who was busy discussing with some of her friends saw this and her brow furrowed. Tatiana was here again and Hudson was leading her to Cassius. What was her deal?

Hudson led Tatiana to up to a large, not so dark room, there Cassuis stood with one of his hand tucked in his pocket as he overlook the city through the transparent glass.

Tatiana felt the familiar sense of fragile creeping in. He was the only one to bring that side of hers out without even trying.

His piercing blue eyes met with hers as he spun around, they looked tired and she wondered what kept him so busy.

“I’ll leave to attend the others” Hudson excused himself and left.

As Cassius approached her, the light thud of his black shinning shoes hitting the marble floor echoed the room, accompanied by her fast beating heart.

Tatiana remain froze on her spot as their gaze locked and his height over shadowed hers. His amazing cologne hit her nose and the urge to inhale more of it surge through her.

“Are you hurt?” His deep rich voice snapped her back to earth.

“No.. thanks for what you did out there” She appreciated, her voice barely above a whisper.

“Fools like them shouldn’t be in the industry. They deserve what they got. Hudson said you wanted see me” He proclaimed.

“Yeah, you haven’t been replying to my texted so I thought of coming here to see you”

“I’ve been busy little rebel. Speak”

“I need you to help my older sister, she is being abused badly by her husband and–” Tatiana took a deep breath. “Also there’s an important thing I need to let you know”

Cassius gaze remained firm, devoid of emotion.

“After that night we encountered I–” Tatiana’s voice trailed off when the door swung opened and a man on suit stepped in.

“Mr. King, the guests are here and they request for your presence” the man informed and Tatiana bit her tongue.

“I’ll be right there” He looked back at Tatiana. “Talk to Hudson, he’ll attend to wh@ťěver you need” He said and left.

Sh missed to tell him about Dylan again. Keeping her phone, she went to find Hudson.

“What do you need, idol?” He asked calmly.

“A huge amount of money. I need to save my sister tonight and I have a plan” She replied.

After talking with Hudson, Tatiana left to meet director Felix who introduced her to some producers and actors. Even the senior director was present, he smiled with her as he chat.

“I’m glad I accepted your proposal Miss Tatiana. My senior director hardly take interest on any artist but he liked your talent. The project will be starting in few days and I’m thrilled to work with you” Director Felix informed and left with the others.

Tatiana exhaled, her phone beeped as Maya’s message popped in.

~We’ll be on our way soon~

Tatiana texted her back.

~Trust me~

Her gaze spot Indigo with some other artist chatting, their gaze met for a moment. Tatiana couldn’t quite figure out those look but that isn’t the problem right now, it was time to take Mason down.

Getting out of the hall, she made a call. “Parker, Stacy. Are you ready?”

“Ready” the two responded on the other side.
___

Maya was seated in the car waiting for Mason. Tatiana had asked her to trust her, and she is going to do just that.

She had seen Tatiana dealing with those who messed with her in industry years ago, and knew how capable and tricky she was.

Maya suddenly let out a cough and felt a liquid fell out her lips. Her hand reached for it and she saw her own blood. Terror flashed in her eyes.

Internal bleeding. Oh no.

The door opened and she quickly wiped her lips with a handkerchief, hiding it hastily.

“You okay?” He asked lightly and she nodded. “Use your goddamn mouth”

“I’m fine” Maya clinched her jaw.

“Good” Mason mumbled and drove to the Casino.

Reluctantly, Maya was forced to accompany him. Her smile fake, because her husband thr_@tened to lock her up for days if anyone notice her discomfort. She knew he meant those words. He’ll do it.

Maya was beautiful, tall and elegant. Her round face, sharp nose and emerald-green eyes made her beauty unique. Men drooled over her as Mason led her to the table.

As they play, Mason won the men with Maya’s assistant.

“You have such a clever woman, Mason” One of the men remarked.

“Thank you, she is best thing that have ever happened to me” Mason answered. The subtle deceit in his words went unnoticed by the others.

A tall dark American man with a briefcase and his face covered, his gaze fixated on Maya as he approached the table.

“May I be your opponent?” He politely asked. Mason frowned at the mysterious man.

“Who are you? A newbie?” Mason inquired.

The dark man introduced himself as Harry and claimed to be the king of cards in casino.

Mason scoffed. “Why should I agree to play with you?”

“I’ll be betting five billion dollars” He took out his brief case and opened it. All eyes widened at money, especially Mason. That price is more than enough to solve his problem. “And you’ll be betting all what you’ve won today”

Mason eyes flickered with interest. Maya leaned down to whispered so that only he could hear.

“Honey, we’ve already won five hundred million, which is more than enough. We shouldn’t push our luck any further.”

“You expect me to say no to five billion? Stop the complain and play. Beat this arrogant man and I’ll give you the best night of your life,” Mason assured, his hand caressing her leg under the table. Maya felt irritated but dared not push his hand away.

Mason placed the five hundred million dollars they had won on the table, disregarding Maya’s attempt to stop him.

Fidgeting in his seat, his eyes focused on the cards before him. He had a good hand but wondered what his opponent held. He searched for any sign of weakness but found none.

Taking a deep breath, Mason played the card Maya had agreed on. The man sitting across from him took a deep breath as well.

Maya could see the excitement in his eyes before it quickly faded. As he revealed his cards, the couple’s faces fell. They had lost.

“Wow! King of cards indeed” Some of the man around the table cheered.

Mason nose flared up in anger, he took Maya by her hand, dragging to a corner.

“You did that on purpose, didn’t you. You made me lose” He growled holding her wrist tight.

“Let go of me!” Maya wince. “I’m not a gambler, and I can’t keep doing this,” she sobbed. Before Mason could reply, a familiar deep, rich voice sounded behind them.

“Is everything alright, Mr. Mason?”

They both found the man they had lost their money to. Maya was glad he was here, she should ask for his help for she knew her husband was going to abuse her again.

“It’s nothing, I’m just talking to my wife,” Mason replied curtly, his grip on Maya’s wrist tighten.

“How about we play another game?” the man politely suggested.

“What?”

“May I have your wife tonight? I’ll pay you 10 billion dollars, and also spread the words that you won me in a card game” the well-dressed man proposed.

Maya’s wanted to retaliate, but her husband’s response left her speechless.

“Sure, you can have her for the night. Just keep your word,” Mason agreed.

“What are you doing? Spending the night with a stranger?” Maya’s questioned glaring at him.

“It’s just one night, babe. After that, the money is ours. I can even boast about winning the king of card…” Mason assured, his voice dripped with deceit.

Maya hand flew across his face delivering a resounding slap. Hatred and anger burning in her gaze, however she regretted her action the moment their gaze met.

She winced as he forcefully grabbed her neck, his jaw clenched tightly.

“What the hell do you think you’re doing, Ɓîtçh? Are you trying to go against my word? I’m your superior, and you should listen to me. Now go into the room with this man and do your job, or I’ll make your life miserable.” His words sent a chill down a spine. He released her and asked for his payment.

Maya’s breath became erratic, tears streaming down her face as she watch Mason receiving the briefcase, he confirmed it was filled with money and faced her.

“I’ll be waiting for you at home” Mason face softened as he held her hand, gently placing a kiss on her knuckles. “I love you, baby”

With that, he turned to left while Maya remain frozen.

The man stepped forward, standing beside Maya, his hand casually tucked in his pocket. She was sobbing lightly.

“Ma’am”

Maya shook her head. “Please, I.. I can’t do this. I’ll give the ten billion back to you. I’ll find every means. I can’t do this”

“I’m from Tatiana. My name is Parker and gawd it’s so hard to pretend to be straight.. Tatie,” Parker complained. Tatiana who could heard him from the earphone chuckled.

“Good job Parker” her voice sounded.

“Let me take you somewhere safe, shall we?” Parker winked at Maya before leading her out through the back.

Maya spot Tatiana and immediately ran to hug her tight.

“Tatie. Oh Tatie, you’re here” Maya sobbed.

“It alright now Maya” Tatiana consoled.

Maya broke the hug and asked. “The money, I’ll–”

“Don’t worry about it. I’ll get it back. Parker will take you to a safe place, I’ll tell you what to do next” Tatiana smirked.
___

Mason tried to kiss a woman as they entered his room, but she quickly broke the kiss.

“Easy now big guy, let’s play a dirty game. I know you like dirty games” She smirked, making him lay on the bed.

“Great, I’ll be paying you a lot of money, Mi armor” Mason whispered.

“Close your eyes, I’ll do the touching” The woman whispered, trailing her hand to his bulge just to turn him on. Mason smirked and shut his eyes close.

In the next moment, an injection was shoved to his neck, making him unconscious.

“f-__-k” Stacy cursed under her breathing wiping her lips. “Tatie, you didn’t tell me this bastard lips taste like rotten egg. I can’t believe I kissed him” Stacy complained over her ear phone.

Tatiana snickered over the earphone.

“Are you laughing at me right now?” Stacy walked to the dresser and took the brief case.

“I never asked you to kiss him Stacy” Tatiana teased.

“I’ll ki|| you with my bare hands. I’ve got the money” Stacy said and left with the briefcase.
___

Tatiana head to Jolene’s apartment and met her busy with her system while shoving some popcorn into her mouth.

“Jojo, how is it going?” Tatiana asked as she sat beside her.

Jolene clicked on the last button. “All set, we just have to till tomorrow morning”

They clicked a glass of champagne together and drink out of it. Both having a smirk on their faces.

It was simple, Tatiana was going to use the image Mason cherish against him.
___

[NEXT MORNING]

Mason was busy pacing around his room, his fingers pressing on his temple as he tried calling a number for the umpteenth time.

Finally, the person on other side picked the call.

“Maya were you ignoring my calls? Where the f-__-k are you?!” He roared.

“I’m just waking up and my phone was on silence. Why do you sound so disturbed?” She asked.

“The money is gone, someone stole it”

“What!” Maya exclaimed over the phone. “How did it happen?”

Mason didn’t want her to know he had bought a wh-_-re and that wh-_-re took the entire money. So found a lie.

“I was robbed last night. A strange man trailed me down to the apartment. He struck me from behind and I lost consciousness. Waking up this morning, the money was gone”

Maya gasped and her voice croaked. “So you forced me to sleep with a strange man for nothing?!”

“Chill the f-__-k out Maya, I just said I was robbed. You gat ear problem or something?”

“You liar! All your life you’ve been gambling every wealth we have lying to your father I was sick and that you’ve been using the money to treat me. You thr_@tened my life Mason, hitting me with every chance you get. I gat bruises on my body, bruises on my face I use make up to cover up…”

Mason nose flared up in anger. If Maya was right before saying all these $h|t, he would have hit her.

“I’m your husband, your superior and I can do wh@ťěver I want to do with you and you have no right to challenge me Maya, no right!”

“Husband my @zz Mason. Just last night you bet me away for a mysterious man to spend the night with. What kind of husband does that? What if he is a physco that is ready to ki|| me?!..”

“Then so be it. As long as you are alive, I own you. Your father gave you to me and he got what he wanted, Power and connection. You’re mine. Now where are you, I need to satisfy my f-__-king urge” Mason said.

“Go to hell Mason, I’m done with you”

With this Maya ended the call, Mason eyes reddened with anger not believing the fact that Maya actually said all of that.

The last time she did, she saw hell, maybe, he’ll have to double it this time around.

However, his phone rang and his assistant name flashed over his screen. ‘Just in time’ he thought.

“Hey, Brown find out where my wife…”

“Boss we have a problem. Were you speaking with your wife just a moment ago?” His assistant question cut him off.

“Yeah why?” He asked.

“She was on live and every of your conversation was all over the news”

Mason’s eyes almost popped out of its socket in shock. He immediately switched on the television and there…

Maya was on live screen, without makeups and covering cloth. Every bruises on her was visible and clear. Of course everyone recognized the famous wife of the noble man Mason.

They just couldn’t get what was going on.

No, this isn’t happening. Mason shook his head.

He yelled at his assistant. “Make it stop!! Find her and f-__-king stop her!!!!”

Her video was on every Netizens screen as most of them had just heard the phone call… The media was tensed, the internet on fire.

All thanks to Tatiana’s scheme.

In his dark office, Cassius who was silently watching, lips curled up into a small smile. A smile that hadn’t happened in so many years. He was watching her move wondering how she’ll handle it.. She is indeed a little Rebel.

Maya began.. “Hello Australians. My name is Maya Wallington and here is my story…”

༆𝑻𝑩𝑪༆