CHAPTER 135: THE MEETING PART 1

Maya wished she had access to the dark web so she could search for colorless poison to use against Vico. It seemed that his death is the only way to escape being forced to divorce Dalton and marry another man. Unfortunately, she had been without a phone or internet access for a month. Moreover, carrying out the poisoning is impossible when the female bodyguard is always hovering over her and following her everywhere she goes. She also doesn’t have the guts to poison a human being or any living thing.

She feels so useless; the only option she has left is to wait for rescue like a damsel in distress. There is only one knight and his brother who can save her, just as they rescued her from the Faroe Islands. Sadly, they won’t be coming. Dalton might despise her now, and Aiden will kill her on sight.

Big streams of tears marred down her face. She wished she could rewind time and go back to that moment when Nana Rose offered her the wine, and she would decline it. Or, tomorrow morning, she would wake up and find out that this was just a terrible nightmare. But this living nightmare, is real, and there is no escaping it.

Maya noticed her bodyguard watching her intently, which made her feel embarrassed that she was crying in public. She quickly pulled a tissue from the tissue box on the table and wiped away the evidence of her tears.

She grew tired of being stuck in her room, so she came out to sit at the patio for some fresh air while lamenting the tragedy of her life.

"Hi, Maya," Zia Arianna approached with her enthusiastic smile.

"Hey, do you not have a class to teach at the university today?" Maya asked.

"Yes, I’m actually free on Thursdays," Zia Arianna replied. Her face twitched. "Are you okay? Your eyes look puffy and really red."

Maya laughed exaggeratedly. "I was in the kitchen helping the chef cut onions. I have a crazy tearful reaction to onions," she lied with a grin.

Zia Arianna made a big ’O’ with her mouth. "Oh, sorry! That’s why I hate cooking."

Maya pulled her head back and laughed. This was the most ridiculous lie she had ever told, and she was surprised that her Zia believed her.

"You look like you’re dying of boredom. I know the perfect whimsical place to chase away that gloomy feeling emanating from you," Zia Arianna said, speaking like a salesperson trying to persuade Maya to buy what she was selling.

Maya was intrigued. "And where will that be, Zia?"

"There is a book café not far from this mansion. It’s just a short walk away. You can spend your afternoon there before the gala at the museum starts."

Maya’s face lights up. "Perfect!" Something cozy to help her pass the time before the introduction to her second husband at the Gala of Doom takes place.

"Can we walk there? I’m tired of the car seat," she groaned.

"Sure."

Maya, hooked her arm around Zia Arianna’s as they took a leisurely stroll to the book café. Of course, Maya’s bodyguard was trailing behind them. Maya wished the bodyguard wouldn’t be so obvious and could be a little less conspicuous.

Maya was in love with the book café; it was whimsical, cozy, and intimate. Apparently, the owner is half British, so there were books available in English. She bought a couple of fantasy novels and ordered coffee with Zia Arianna. They found a table outside on the porch with plush armchairs, where Maya began to read one of the fantasy books she had bought, while Zia Arianna read one of ’Jane Eyre’ books.

After losing herself in her book for two hours, Maya decided to take a break. Just as she raised her head, she felt a tingle at the nape of her neck. Someone was watching her. However, when she looked around, there was no one suspicious—just tourists passing by.

It seemed the bodyguard noticed something was off as well; she peered around like a hawk hunting for prey, but she came to the same conclusion as Maya.

Maya shrugged it off and went back to getting lost in a world full of fae princes.

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Vico’s right-hand man chose the most dubious bar in the city, ranked after the demolished Venus City, for the ignominious meeting with Dalton and Aiden.

Aiden was armed with pistols and knives to protect Dalton, even though they had brought three skilled bodyguards with them. They arrived at the bar and were led to a secure VIP room that was spacious enough to accommodate a team of bodyguards.

Dalton braced himself and entered the VVIP room with Aiden. There sat an attractive woman with red hair, drinking. She raised her head and smirked. Shock is an understatement. Dalton never imagined in his wildest dreams that Vico’s right-hand man could turn out to be Natalia, Maya’s best friend.

"Damn it," Aiden cursed. "Red hair, Natasha, so it was you all along?"

Natalia set her glass aside and glared at him. "It’s Natalia. Call me the wrong name again, and I will slit your throat."

Aiden snorted, a ferocious gleam looming in his blue eyes. "You should thank the heavens that you are a woman. I could have been getting ready to mail your butchered head to your Don."

Natalia flinched furiously. Aiden’s words felt like a slap to her face. "I heard you are good at unmasking identities, but you couldn’t unmask mine. What makes you feel bold that you can even craze my skin?" she hissed.

"So you were the mysterious woman who was working with Fredrick Hathaway at Venus City. You bolted like a coward when I was closing in on you," Aiden bit back.

Natalia pulled up her dress, revealing the holster she was wearing around her thigh, and drew out her gun. Her men did the same, and Dalton’s men followed suit.

Dalton grunted, "Can this childish play be over so we can begin the meeting?" His voice was so authoritative that Natalia was the first to put her gun back in its holster.

Dalton took his seat, but Aiden chose to stand and remain on high alert.

"What does Vico want?" Dalton shoot

"He wants you to divorce my cousin."