That's Not Her

7. Giving Maia the boycotts

Alec's point of view.

The last time I saw Maia was when she left me standing like a fool in parking as she speeded off on her bike. I need to see her again in order to settle score. So when jace invited me at his home to play assassin's creed I gladly accepted. Even though I told Jace up front why I was in California and why I am after Maia he still wanted to be friends with me. "Finally someone that can help me bring that annoying little shit down to earth" was his word to word response.

Now here I was sitting on McQueen's dining table making small talk with Maia's mother but the devil herself nowhere in sight.

"Dad where's Maia? Is she even coming home tonight?" Jace asked and just as Dr. McQueen was about to answer we heard the doorbell ring.

"It must be Maia. I'll get the door." Her mother said as she got up. I don't know what but something about that lady gives me wrong vibes. She was just....cold. Maybe I don't know what I am talking about. Maybe she was just stressed from work.

"What are you wearing Maia?" I heard her mother yell from the other room. I couldn't hear Maia's response. Only her mother's voice.

"No tell me why are you wearing your gym cloths? They are too reveling to be worn outside. And what happened to your hand? Take you hoodie off."

"For God's above mother shut up for 5 seconds" I heard Maia yell. I looked at Jace and then at his father. Both of them as confused as me.

"Don't you dare talk to me that way lady. Especially not when we have guest at home."

I could hear the voices approaching.

"Oh why? So you can pretend you have a perfect little daughter instead of me? I don't care if we have guest they can...what the fuck is he doing in my house?"

As I expected I surprised her big time sitting in her home. But unexpectedly she surprised me even more. She was wearing black gym shorts and a grey hoodie which was open from both sides pretty much failing at the purpose of being a hoodie. As surprising as the outfit was her hand was way more surprising. It was all raw and bloody.

"‌Maia what happened to you?" Her father asked going up to her trying to pull of her hood but she turned away before he could touch her.

"I'll tell you. Just give me a second." She told him. Even though her hair and hood was covering most of her face I could see fury there. Along with a bruised cheek. Just as Jace started to speak she darted off to nearest bathroom. Even from so far away we could hear her throwing up. What the hell happened to her?

"Alec I am so sorry you had to see all of this." Her mother apologized to me. What? Lady go see if your daughter is fine instead of apologizing to a stranger about an overheard argument.

"It's fine. But what happened to Maia?" I said while staring towards the doorway she went, waiting for her to reappear.

When she came back her hood was down and her bruises perfectly on display but the furious expression was replaced by a miserable one. I could see exhaustion in her grey eyes and for a second i forgot that she was supposed to be my enemy. The misery on her face made me want to comfort her.

"Tell me what happened Maia" her father said in a serious tone. No wonder he was head of trauma at city hospital.

"I want to get a restraining order against José."

"What did that son of a bitch do to you?" Jace asked shouting at her. I expected her to flinch but she kept staring at her father. It was clear he was the only one she was interested in talking to. At this moment I felt like such and intruder but I couldn't excuse myself, cause I wanted to know what happened to her.

"José asked me to stay after class because he wanted to talk to me about the classes I missed when I went to Paris. Then out of nowhere he started kissing me and touching me and... Well let's just say I broke his nose and kicked him where it counted."

"So your hand?"

"I was so furious I couldn't stop myself. I kept punching him till his elbow connected with my face. By then gym security came in and pulled me of him. I was so mad I came directly home. I didn't wanted to stay in that place a second later" she explained in an even tone like she was telling story of something that happened with someone else instead of herself. Although under that calm I could sense her fury was building up again.

"I see. Tomorrow your going to police station and file a complaint against him. Annalise please draw up papers for suit against the gym and the instructor." Dr McQueen said in all business tone. I wonder if he is going to go out tonight and hurt that instructor more than his daughter already did.

"Wait a minute. Maia are you sure you didn't invited such behavior from him. I mean maybe he misunderstood your flirting and you over reacted" her mother tried to reason.

"If you decline to be my lawyer mother don't not fret. I can find someone who will"

"Don't take that superior tone with me." Her mother scowled. What was wrong with this woman? Was she blaming her daughter for getting sexually harassed then assaulted?

"I am not staying for this argument mother. Dad I'll do as said tomorrow. I promise. ‌Jace please don't hunt him down to hurt him again. I have already done a good job just make sure she does hers" she said gesturing at her mother was decided on giving Maia the boycotts.

"Oh and Alec I hope you got what you came for. Pleasure to be entertainment of the night" with that she exited the room.

Jace got up to go after her but her mother asked him to leave her alone and let her learn to behave like a civilian.

Soon her father and mother excused them selves leaving jace and I.

Then there was music coming from upstairs. Maia's room I think. Song was loud enough and angry enough to tell how much she was really upset.

"Want to go find a guy names José?" I asked.

He just smiled before grabbing his car keys.

A/n here's a teaser from next chapter

I smiled. That offer was straight to point and pierced my heart in one quick and ruthless motion. I almost said yes but controlled myself enough to type a simple and appropriate reply.

Me - I took care of it. Good night Mark.