The Second Choice | COMPLETED

Chapter 8

We were curled up in a hidden room in the library. Her smaller figure folded into my arms. My heart beat quickly and I was nervous. A million thoughts ran through my head; What if we got caught? What would people say? What would I do? I'd surely be dead.
But all those questions were pushed onto the side as I cherished the time I got to spend with the woman I loved. It was worth it, and if I died, at least we could die together... No! How could I ever think this was right? I could get America, my darling America, killed. And in any life beyond death, she'd forever hate me. I pushed her off me gently and she woke up with a start.

"Maxon?" Her beautiful blue eyes filled with confusion.

"What's wrong?"

"We can't be together." I tried to keep my  voice firm but failed miserably.

"What? What do you mean? I know you don't want to get caught but... I don't understand!" She trailed off, tears filling her eyes as she took in my stone cold face.

"We can't see each other anymore. You will continue to work here, if you wish, as I do not want to jeopardize your family and their wellbeing, nor your income, but we will not be seeing each other anymore. I will have a new maid be assigned for my office. I apologize for this, but it could never have worked." I somehow managed to keep my voice from cracking and somehow managed to keep it strong. I repeated a silent mantra inside my head: It is for the best, it is for her own good. It is for your own good and the good of the country. It is for her.
She dashed away, pulling my heart with her. And then she was gone.

~

The next morning, I woke up feeling cold and empty. It took me a while until I realized why. I sat up in bed, looking around. Kriss was gone, I didn't know where. There was a sudden, strict tap on my door and I muttered a Come in. The door swung open, revealing Marlee. Her blonde hair was pulled into a tight bun and she looked very official with her black pencil skirt and white blouse.

"Marlee," I nodded slowly, cheeks slightly tinted with the realization that I was in my night clothes.

"Do you realize what time it is?" She said sharply.

"No...?" I sighed.

"It's past twelve. You're late for your budget meeting. Maxon, what's going on? You're never late for meetings." She said exasperatedly.

"Sorry," I muttered, but I didn't have it in me to care that day.

"Is this about...?" She didn't finish. She didn't have to. I knew who she was talking about.

"Sort of." I leaned against the headboard.

"She never told me why she was leaving so suddenly. But she was red-eyed. What did you do?" Marlee accused.

"Nothing! Well..." The blonde's eyebrow was raised.

"Okay, maybe something. But I didn't tell her you to go!" I threw my hands up in the air in frustration. I knew I had hurt her... I knew. But did she really have to go?

"Maxon. America is tough. She's much stronger than most people. But you're her soft spot. You're where she's sensitive..."' Marlee trailed off thoughtfully.

"And she's also my best friend. You can't expect to be my friend if you're not hers." Her sharp tone returned.

"Wait what? But America and I aren't friends. We're more than that." I blurt before my eyes widen and I slap my hand over my mouth. No. I just... I just blew it.

"She never told me." Marlee whispered.

"How could she? If you knew, and someone else found out, you'd be killed. That's also why I had to end it. I was putting her in too much danger." I sighed, my head dropping.

"America wouldn't care." She said firmly.

"But I do."

~

Later that day, Kriss entered our room, in which I had stayed in all day, pretending I wasn't feeling well. I hurt didn't have the heart to get up and work.

"Maxon. What's going on? You never take sick days for a cough." That was true. I had been pretending to cough so I wouldn't have to work.

"I've seen you go to work with a 102 degree fever. I've seen to go to work with the stomach flu. I've seen you go to work with a migraine. Why is this cough bringing you down?" Kriss sat down on the edge of the bed, taking my hand. That's when I began to cry. A flood of emotions poured out of me. All at once, Kriss' arms were around me an she was whispering comforting words in my ear. She held me on a tight embrace, her head resting comfortably on my shoulder. I wrapped my own arms around her and I realized that I still held something with Kriss. It wasn't huge but it was there. I...wept for a while before stopping eventually. I was mentally exhausted.

"Will you stay with me?" I whispered. I sounded so ridiculously weak but I couldn't help it.

"Always." She murmured.

"Always."

I realized there was possibly a slight problem with that but I brushed it off for the sake of not losing both of them. If I lost them both, I would have no one.

A/N: Hello. It's me.
Anyways, now you've all seen the softer, gentler, weaker(?) tbh kinda selfish side of Maxon. But he's still an adorable cutie. So, Merry Christmas! Or Happy Hanukkah! Or just Happh Holidays! This is my present to you.
Hugs and Christmas Carols, Val.