Chapter 24: Left Alone

Maryanne tries to force her shoulders to relax. Jessica saved the day by asking for a tour of the mansion. This way they are all split up and intrusive questions can be forgotten.
She is lagging behind Jessica and Veronica who are arm-in-arm swaying along together. They both continue to look up at the walls and ceilings with awe.
Maryanne can understand their reaction. It is the same as hers when she first arrived. This house is much more than any of them could have ever imagined themselves living in. The front door is surrounded by columns, and the staircases themselves are grand, swooping around in the air with golden inlaid bannisters. The steps are made out of marble similar to the main floor, but at the top of each landing are large red carpets contrasting the golden hue of the railings.
Walls are covered with beautiful, serene wallpaper of flowers and it causes a sense of home to fall over Maryanne.
“It feels very homey, even if it is a mansion,” Jessica states, bringing to life Maryanne’s own thoughts.
Veronica nods, remaining quiet as she eyes the artwork on the walls.
Maryanne is not sure where Max found all of the decorations for the house, especially in the short amount of time before they moved in, but he chose amazing pieces. Each painting hangs as though it were meant for the house and the specific area. There is a theme for each hallway. The one they are in is the beach. There are paintings of the Ocean and of families playing in the sand. Even the abstract pieces fit in perfectly.
“And you have your own library, right?” Jessica glances back at Maryanne without stopping.
She nods to her friend, excitement for showing her coworkers her favorite part of the house washing over her. “Yes, it’s on the third floor with the bedrooms.”
“Let’s go up there. I’m dying to see just how big this so called library is.” Jessica laughs, tugging on Veronica to hurry.
Looking behind her, Maryanne realizes that Max and Shelley are both nowhere nearby.
“Hey do you guys know where Shelley is?”
“No. She’s probably annoying some staff, questioning them about Max.” Jessica rolls her eyes and shakes her head.
Maryanne stops walking and debates whether to keep on going or to search out her coworker.
“You guys go ahead. I’m just going to go and look for her.”
“Are you sure?”
She nods before retracing their steps, listening intently for any voices. There are no signs as to where they could be. Are they together? Maryanne’s heart pounds even louder, making it difficult to hear anything else. She unknowingly left them together. Max must be having a hard time.
It’s another minute before Maryanne finds the two of them, just within Riley’s play room. Geneva still has Riley in another part of the house, so Maryanne creeps up to the crack in the door, trying to listen in on what they are saying.
“Max, you have this entire place. Why share it with Maryanne? You could easily take custody of Riley and go anywhere you want.” Shelley’s voice reaches Maryanne’s ears, and she inches closer to hear Max’s response. Her heart pounds in her head.
“Because the court did not make that ruling yet.” He speaks simply, but the words eat away at her heart. Would he be able to so easily take Riley away from her?
Shelley takes a step towards Max, “Fight it. You’re a single man. You can do anything you want with the amount of money you have.”
Maryanne’s anger takes over and before she realizes what she is doing, she has stormed up and slightly pushed her coworker away. She does not notice that Jessica and Veronica have followed her and now stand off to the side, watching.
“Shelley that’s enough. You need to stop.”
She releases a mock laugh, “Why? You have no right to stop me. Max is a free man.” She shrugs only one shoulder and tries to reach out for Max’s arm who instinctively backs away, his expression harsh. Shelley does not seem to notice.
Maryanne rushes through her thoughts, trying to come up with something to say. She finds herself blurting out, “That’s where you are wrong. We’re together.”
Silence stretches out from everyone and she can feel Max’s gaze shifting toward her. What has she just gone and done now?
Shelley folds her arms and sneers, “You told us that it was merely just a contractual agreement. For the duration of a year.”
Maryanne nods, “I lied. My personal life is no business of yours.”
“How do I know you’re telling the truth?”
Maryanne glances up at Max who is fighting the quizzical rumple in his brow. Heat blossoms in her abdomen as she realizes what she is about to have to do. She wants to say something to him, explain, but with all eyes on them now, she can’t do so discreetly.
She places her hand on his side, clinging to his shirt and trying to pull him closer to her by smoothly running her other hand around his neck. Before she can second guess herself, Maryanne forces their lips together.
The world is drowned out momentarily as she revels in the feel of his body against hers. Although Max is confused, he does not pull away. Instead, he leans into her, his arms wrapping around her waist. Maryanne’s entire body screams for more as Max shifts his head to get a better angle at her. The urge to bite his lip is almost too much to pass up, but she pauses, just staring at him instead as he gently pulls away. Her visit is blurry as she revels in the remnants of his touch. She almost leans in for another kiss, until she remembers that they are not alone.
Maryanne clears her throat and releases her grip on Max. She even steps away to make distance between them.
Once she has composed herself, she sets a level glare at Shelley. “There, is that enough claim for you?”
“Uh,” her coworker remains frozen, dumbfounded at Maryanne’s actions.
Jessica releases a whistle, softly saying, “Dang Maryanne.”
Maryanne refuses to look at Max as she revels in the high that is accomplishment.