BANE OF HIS EXISTENCE

CHAPTER 30: THE MESS I CREATED.

MAYA.

I let out a deep sigh, feeling a mix of emotions swirl inside me. It had been a couple of days since I'd last seen Andrew, and the memory of my confession still lingered, making my face burn with embarrassment. I had poured my heart out to him, exposing my deepest feelings, and he had just stood there, staring at me without so much as an expression.

The lack of reaction still haunted me, and I couldn't shake off the feeling of vulnerability. Confessing my feelings to Andrew was, without a doubt, the single most embarrassing thing I'd ever done in my life. I was grateful that he was out of town for a basketball tournament, giving me a temporary reprieve from the awkwardness.

As for Hossein, I had been avoiding him like the plague, not knowing how to face him after my embarrassing confession. But Hossein, being the considerate person he was, had sent me a text apologizing for how everything went down. He had expressed his willingness to wait until I was ready to talk about it, and that had touched my heart.

I appreciated Hossein's understanding and patience. It wasn't that I was upset with him or anything; I was just... embarrassed. The feeling of vulnerability still lingered, making me hesitant to face him, but knowing that he was willing to give me space made me feel a little better.

I smiled as Sasha approached me, her eyes scanning the surrounding area before meeting mine. "Ready to go?" I asked, and she nodded slightly, her long hair bobbing with the movement.

As we walked towards my car, Sasha glanced around, her brow furrowing slightly. "Where's Eric?" she asked, and I chuckled.

"He drove, so he'll meet us there," I explained, and Sasha nodded, seeming to accept that.

We reached my sleek, new Lexus LC 500, and Sasha's eyes widened slightly as she took in the luxurious vehicle. It was an early birthday present from my guardians, and I was still getting used to the attention it drew.

Sasha slid into the passenger seat, and I rounded the corner, getting into the driver's seat. The interior was cool and quiet, the soft hum of the engine a gentle accompaniment as I started the car and pulled away from the curb.

Sasha's eyes sparkled with excitement as she gazed at me, her smile radiant. "I can't believe my girl is finally twenty, feels like I've waited forever!" she exclaimed, her voice dripping with drama.

I rolled my eyes, a smile playing on my lips. Technically, I wasn't twenty yet, as my birthday was still a couple of days ahead. But leave it to Sasha to be dramatic.

"Gimme a break!" I retorted, chuckling. "You guys are only a couple of months older than me," I added, teasing her about her exaggerated tone. She made it sound like they were a few years older than me, not just a few months. Sasha's flair for drama was one of the things I loved about her, but it was also something that often left me laughing.

Sasha's eyes sparkled with amusement as she continued to tease me about my birthday. "Eric's birthday is in January, mine is in April, babe. Yours took forever to get here," she exclaimed dramatically, throwing her hands up in the air.

I laughed, shaking my head as I pulled into the parking lot of the lavish building. We stepped out of the car, and Eric waved at us as he leaned on his car, a sleek black sports car that seemed to gleam in the sunlight.

"It's not my fault I was born in December, alright?" I said, defending myself against Sasha's good-natured jabs.

Eric walked towards us, a grin spreading across his face. "You guys took your sweet time getting here, didn't you?" he said, and Sasha laughed, playfully nudging me with her elbow and I shrugged smiling sheepishly.

Sasha's eyes sparkled with excitement as she gestured to the building in front of us. "Shall we go in?" she asked, her voice barely containing her enthusiasm.

I let out a dramatic sigh, feeling a mix of nerves and trepidation. "Too late to turn back now," I muttered, resignation lacing my tone.

Eric and Sasha burst out laughing, their amusement infectious as we linked our arms together and walked into the building. The sound of our laughter echoed through the entrance, a carefree and joyful sound that seemed to match the opulent atmosphere of the lavish building.

As we stepped into the building, we were immediately greeted by a stunning woman with impeccable style and poise. She smiled warmly and inquired about our appointment before leading us to a private room reserved exclusively for the three of us.

I couldn't help but glance around in awe as she spoke. The interior of the store was breathtaking, with lavish decor and exquisite furnishings that exuded opulence and sophistication. This was no ordinary clothing store; everything here was custom-made and tailored to an individual's unique taste and style.

I was aware that this store was notoriously exclusive, with appointments usually booked two years in advance. It was a testament to Mrs. D's influence and resources that she had managed to secure an appointment for us on such short notice. I had no doubt that she must have pulled some serious strings - or paid a hefty bribe - to make this happen.

I savored the taste of the champagne as I watched Sasha get her fitting done, her laughter and chatter filling the room as the tailor expertly adjusted the garment to her curves. Eric sat nearby, his eyes fixed on his phone as he typed away, a look of intense focus on his face.

My mind wandered back to the conversation I had with Mrs. D about my upcoming birthday. I had told her that I didn't want to make a big deal out of it, that a small party with friends or just a quiet day at home would be fine. I had already received an amazing gift - a brand new car - and I felt grateful and content.

But Mrs. D had other plans. She had offered to throw me a party, and I had agreed, not thinking much of it. But now, as I sat in this luxurious store, surrounded by opulence and extravagance, I realized that she had gone all out. I had no idea she would go to such great lengths to celebrate my birthday.

Sasha's voice broke into my reverie, and I turned to her with a smile. "What do you think, Maya?" she asked, striking a pose in front of the mirror.

Eric let out a low, appreciative whistle, and I couldn't help but agree with him. Sasha looked absolutely stunning in the lilac princess-like dress that hugged her curves in all the right places. The color perfectly matched her recently dyed hair, and she radiated a confident, ethereal beauty.

As Sasha finished her fitting, Eric took his turn trying on his tuxedo. He looked dashing, and I couldn't help but tease him about how handsome he looked. Finally, it was my turn, and I slipped into my own custom-made outfit. The feeling of the luxurious fabric against my skin was exquisite, and I couldn't help but feel like royalty.

At the end of the day, we left the building without our dresses, as they required minor adjustments before we could take them home. But despite the wait, I couldn't help but feel that it had been a day well spent. I had loved every moment of it, from the laughter and jokes with my friends to the feeling of being pampered and indulged.

And, as an added bonus, the day had kept my mind off the mess I had created with Andrew. For a few blissful hours, I had been able to forget about the awkwardness and uncertainty that had been weighing on me. As I left the building with Eric and Sasha, I felt grateful for the distraction and for the joy that my friends had brought into my life.