Chapter 21: The Realization

Chapter 21

Ever since their conversation, Max has kept an unusual distance between himself and Maryanne. It is different than when they weren’t talking to one another; now every time they’re in the same room together, Max avoids her. He will move to the other side of the room and avert his gaze. He refuses to look at her and when he does talk to her, his voice is carefully business like.
Riley is playing in the theatre room as the movie Frozen plays. Maryanne sits nearby, her legs pulled up onto the chair as she watches the little girl. Max is late tonight, more than likely driving back from the city. Memories of Max in his penthouse, with different women hanging all over him rush through her mind, causing nausea to build in her stomach. What if he is at the penthouse? He promised that he would come home every night, but he could always come up with an excuse.
Maryanne’s heart drops as she thinks about him being with another woman. Why does it matter? They aren’t dating like they were before. Max is free to do whatever he likes. Maryanne rubs her chest, the ache getting more severe. Her lips still feel hot every time she thinks about the kiss they shared. It was the most passion Maryanne has ever felt, even when they were together before.
“Miss Maryanne, do you want me to bring Riley up to get ready for bed?” Geneva walks down the small aisle of the theatre room, pulling Maryanne from her reverie.
Riley begins to cry, shaking her head profusely. She clings to her dolls.
Maryanne attempts a small smile at the child. “It’s okay, she can stay up for a little longer.”
Giggling once more, Riley goes back to playing house.
“Okay miss.” The maid moves to a nearby chair and sits down, watching the girl play.
Maryanne allows them to sit in silence for a moment, reveling in the echoes of the movie. She breathes in deeply, “Did Max ever mention what time he was going to be getting home?”
Geneva shakes her head, “No, he just said that he was going to be late. He did say to make sure that you both are okay and that you get to bed at a decent hour.”
That’s odd. “He did? Wasn’t it just for Riley?”
Shifting her head to the side, Geneva raises her brow in question at her. “No, Miss, he specifically mentioned you as well. He wants to make sure you’re okay.”
Maryanne huffs softly, whispering, “That’s hard to believe.”
“Miss?”
Tension building in her throat, she quickly shakes her head, “Oh, nothing.”
Geneva’s words tumble out without a filter, “Mister Ryder is usually very kind. I do not understand why you believe he is not.”
Maryanne pauses, not realizing that she is actually staring at the woman.
The maid smooths out her apron awkwardly, “I am sorry, I did not mean to overstep my boundaries.”
“No, you’re fine. It’s just hard to explain. I don’t really talk about it. Even my coworkers don’t know about our past.” Maryanne fiddles with her intertwined hands and stares at her lap.
“You keep it private?”
“I usually don’t like sharing my personal life with them. It’s nice to keep some things to myself.”
“I understand Miss.”
She debates whether to open up or not. She barely knows Geneva, but there is a tug at her chest. “When I was seeing Max before, we weren’t official. At least, neither of us mentioned if we were. We were going on dates every other night, though, and he was a very polite gentleman. He never pressured me into doing anything I didn’t want to do. I thought that it meant he was really interested. We texted constantly, but he continued to host his parties at his penthouse. I was sent pictures anonymously one night of Max being very intimate with another woman.”
Geneva’s voice is thick with emotion as she responds, “Oh, Miss, I am sorry. Are you sure it was not a misunderstanding?”
“No. His arms were wrapped around her. . .” Maryanne glances down at Riley before continuing, “Her bottom region. He had her pulled in close with his lips near her neck.” She gulps remembering the pictures even now. When she remembers the feel of his lips on hers, her chest flutters and heat floods her.
He has done the same to so many.
“I believe that there must be another explanation. Mister Ryder would not willingly place himself in such a situation if he is already promised to another.”
“Geneva, thank you for your kind words, but you cannot speak for him. You do not know his actions when you are not around.”
The maid nods slightly, “This is true, but please believe me, Miss, he truly cares with his whole heart. He does not act.”
“I just can’t trust that, but I appreciate you trying to speak well of him.”
Geneva watches Maryanne for a while as Riley squeals through the movie. She sighs, “Alright Miss. I cannot force you to change your mind. I will start to put Riley to bed.”
“Thank you,” she smiles up at the maid as she stands and ushers a crying child up the aisle and out of the theatre room.
Maryanne remains sitting in silence as the credits roll for the film. Could Geneva be right? Is there actually a good explanation for why Max was caught in that scenario?
She wonders about their kiss. It was heated and left her wanting more. The pit of her stomach grows heavy and hot. She toys with the thought of doing it again. Emotions don’t have to be involved, right? There is no past when they’re in the moment. She presses her lips together, contemplating the consequences of doing just that.
In that moment she realized why she is so drawn to Max. It is not because of his money, but that he is able to show her an entire world she does not know. The passion and excitement of going with the flow and just enjoying one’s self.
Breathing in, Maryanne feels her heart lift, butterflies exploding in her chest. She releases a quivering breath and whispers, “This is not good.”