From Lust to Rage- The Guide to a Cage

Unpleasant nights

Maya had truly spent the night drinking. And yet, when she woke up with the worst hangover ever, the first thought that came to her mind was her "chance" encounter with the ever so haughty Nick Pendragon. He was even worse than a nightmare, he was a living nightmare and a tempting one at that. Maya went on to have some aspirin for the headache and hoped it would subside soon and maybe her memories would subside as well.

The truth is that Maya had been worried about her life for quite a while. Last year had been quite tough for her. So much so that she was thinking about going back home. But the very thought of going back to her parents at 27 was embarrassing in itself, so she decided to try and pull herself together once more. She went on in search of a job and started writing articles for some magazines, stuff like "10 signs of love" or "how to know he cares" and what not.

Nick only added insult to her injuries. She knew she was losing her magic when it came to writing but Nick's offer was like a slap on the face. She felt as if she lacked the capabilities to write, so much so that now she had to depend on Nick for a comeback. Her insecurities were given a new addition of an inferiority complex towards a man she hardly knew and she wasn't ready to accept an embarrassing defeat. So, she actually chose what she thought was the least embarrassing - left for her parent's. She booked a flight and by night she had long left her city behind and home to LA.

Though Maya constantly felt as though she was running away, her parents were overjoyed at her arrival. Her mother, Mrs. Ruby Durham opened the door and smiled like she had received the world as a gift. There was a big smile painted on her face, the corners of her eyes wrinkled and she still looked as beautiful as ever. Ruby yelled for her husband Eric and Maya was engulfed in a bear hug. She realized how terribly she had missed this warmth and comfort.

"I- I can't breathe Mom, Dad! " Maya said but savored their warmth as well. She knew she missed this serenity and peace.

"Oh darling, you look so thin and pale and God we have missed you so much," her mother said.

"You've finally done well to come home," added her dad.

"I missed you guys too but at least let me come in guys."

They realized they were still standing at the door and burst out laughing.
"I'll go to my room and wash up mum."

" Yes sweetheart. I'll make something for your dinner then. Wash up and come downstairs."

Maya went to the second floor to the farthest room breathing in the scent of home. She turned the knob and went inside. She turned on the lights to find her room ever so tidy. Her mother must've cleaned it every few days. She put her luggage near the reading table and just looked around for a bit. The linen bed covering felt soft to touch, and the covers though a bit worn out were her favorite.

Her home in LA was nothing like her apartment back in NYC. Her home in LA was old, and worn out, filled with memories. It wasn't exciting but comforting. It would sound funny but even the air felt different. Her apartment back in NYC was exciting and new but lacked the warmth of her true home.

Maya washed up taking a while. The hot water felt soothing against her skin and then went downstairs for dinner. She saw her parents sitting in the dining room and her food on the table.

"Why aren't you guys asleep yet? You didn't have to wait for me you know," Maya said.

"Nonsense! We're awake because it's still not our time to sleep," her dad replied, still pretending to look through that day's newspaper.

"Liar liar pants on fire," Maya said and her mum smiled at their antics. But her dad hid that alight upward quirk of his mouth by a stoic expression and pretended not to hear anything.